As many of you know, my life revolves around theater. At any given time I am doing something in at least one production that is going on. This past spring, I was the stage manager for "Pinocchio Commedia," and this summer I am acting in a community production of "Seussical." I've done theatre since my sophomore year of high school, and I am majoring in Theater Arts at Morris.
Through these years being involved in theater, I've met so many amazing, kind, creative, and generally some of the best people ever. I don't think I will ever be a part of another diverse group of people in my life, and those people are some of my favorite people ever. Here are some of the reasons, but definitely not all of them, as to why theater people will forever be my favorite people.
1. They are some of the most creative people you will ever meet.
Every single aspect of theater has someone with a creative brain behind it. From the director, who has the final say on every artistic decision made, to the person who has to figure out the right way to hold the screwdriver in order to get the final screw into a board to finish the set, they are the most creative problem-solvers, never accepting "no" for an answer. This creative drive leads to amazing sets, lights, and acting decisions, and, in the end, shows.
2. They understand why you can't hang out when you say, "Sorry, I have rehearsal."
When someone in the theater community says this, non-theater people will often say, "Oh, come on. You can skip it this once." No. We really can't skip any rehearsal that we are called to because that means that we are unprofessional and not ready to work with the show.
But if you mention that you can't do something because of rehearsal to a theater person they know that they can't challenge it. They will wait patiently until you are done and oftentimes, especially at a small school, they are involved in the show themselves and have to go to the rehearsal anyway.
3. They understand what it means when someone says, "It's tech week."
Tech week = drop everything and care about nothing else except theater.
People involved in theatre will understand that when someone says "It's tech week," this person needs space, tea, some caffeine, and a place to take a nap, all at the same time. They won't plan anything with you and will offer to get notes from the classes that you miss because you need to sleep (because you were at the theater until 1 am the night before). They will support you through the week lovingly dubbed "Hell Week" and tell you all the ridiculous stories of their own show experiences just to get you through the week.
4. They accept anyone and everyone.
People who do theater are some of the most diverse people out there, and as such will accept anyone into their ranks. Black, white, gay, straight, own a pet velociraptor, like to wear striped tights and a tie-dye shirt at the same time? Who cares? Theater people will accept you for who you are and love you for being you.
One of my favorite memories from theater is from the first day of rehearsals for my very first show in high school. I walked in, scared out of my mind of all of the older, cooler, veteran theater people. As soon as I stepped into the space, one of these people walked up to me and said, "Welcome! We're so glad you're here! What's your name?" I knew right then that I had found the place I was meant to be.
5. They are the best family you will ever have.
Because of all these reasons, the people you are involved in shows with will quickly become like family. They understand everything you are going through because they are doing it right beside you. They are there when all you want is someone to blast musicals and sing along at the top of your lungs with. They care about your work on the show, your life outside of theater, and most importantly, they care about you.
Theater people are some of the best people you will find in the world. If you can find a group of friends that are in theater, keep them close; they are special people.
