As I sit here on this fine Saturday afternoon with an upcoming audition looming over my head, it has me thinking about why I do theatre. A lot of people think that theatre is fun, but has no real purpose. Still, others think it's just dumb and pointless altogether. As a theatre student, I tend to think of it differently. While theatre is most definitely fun, it also has a lot of lessons to teach us, no matter if you're involved or sitting in the audience.
First of all, theatre opens your mind to and endless amount of stories. Those stories inevitably teach us about other people and lifestyles. When you portray a character, you have to do a lot of study and work on that character, figuring out his/her motivations and where he/she fits in the world of the story. It really helps broaden your point of view and see things from other peoples' sides. As an audience member, you are taken into the world of the play, at least for the time you're watching it. It can have somewhat of the same effect as acting in the play does; it gives you a look into the life of someone else and can broaden your understanding of the world, which is something that the world sorely needs now.
But, a theatrical production does not need to have any profound meaning for it to be important. Have you ever gone to a play, or even turned on the TV or gone to a movie, after a long week to relax? Theatre can be a way to escape, if only for a little while, some of the negative things happening in our lives. The next time you're feeling stressed and have a little free time, see if there's a comedy or lighthearted play being put on in your area.
There are a lot of skills that I have learned (and am still trying to perfect) as an actor. Some of those skills transfer into everyday life. Acting makes you more comfortable speaking in front of people and more outgoing. Memorizing lines helps you to be able to remember facts for class or work better. And, delving into a character and his/her intentions and examining a story helps you read other material more closely and understand it better. If you work backstage, you get very good at paying close attention to the play and being on top of your game, not to mention that you play a very important role in bringing the production to life. While I will certainly not pretend that I am a perfect actor or backstage worker, these are some skills that I have picked up on and will continue to try to learn. The shows I've been involved in have created some of the best memories and friends that I have ever had.
So, theatre is not just messing around on a stage. While it can be a lot of fun, it has a lot of lessons to teach us. So, if you're on the fence about trying it out (whether it's acting or backstage) or even to go see a play, let this article be the push to get you there. You won't be wasting your time, you'll be improving yourself!
