Why You Should Be In Theatre

Theatre is excellent for giving people public speaking skills. Not only does it learn diction, inflection, and projection, but it also demonstrates how to get over stage fright to address a crowd. This is extremely important for the future, especially for jobs that require presentations or oral reports. Even college classes ask students to present to their peers, and theatre can be the helpful resource students need in order to learn how to present properly.

Theatre is one of the best ways to meet new people. Putting together a show or recital can be a great bonding experience, as you work in an ensemble setting to make something unique. This type of experience is unlike any else, making the friendships created even more valuable. I am still very close friends with a lot of people that have performed with me, despite our distance, busy schedules, or time passed from our last performance. The truth is that being someone’s lab partner can help you get to know that person, but putting together a show with someone brings out every color of their rainbow. Dark inner secrets, crazy little habits, biggest fears – these can all be revealed through the art of theatre. You may create art together, but you also struggle through art together, and that is something special.

There is nothing quite like hearing applause for you. Nothing in the world can ever replace that feeling of utter triumph when a crowd stands on its feet, acknowledging your dedication and hard work. Not only is it an in-the-moment confidence booster, but it is also a great way to increase the overall self-esteem of any performer. I have never felt more happiness than getting on stage and being applauded or getting my name shouted. Working backstage has even helped with this, as I see my work come to life through costuming, lighting, set design, all things I worked on to create a story. This story becomes an experience for a different audience every night, and I take great pride knowing my hard work helped to contribute.

Theatre helps us to see a different perspective from our own. We’re shown humanity, psychology, motivations, conflict and resolution. We as the audience get to witness the trajectory of persons other than ourselves. As artists, we put ourselves into emotional and intellectual situations that may never arise in our personal lives. Theatre promotes us to give power to truth, to take risks and to advocate for new and diverse voices.

Theatre reminds us that we are not alone. Not only are we sharing space and an experience with the artists who are performing, we are sharing the experience with fellow audience members. Movies and television don’t have the same intimacy or sense of participation. Sharing an experience with live actors and live audience members is not only valuable, it’s necessary for human connection.

Theatre is immediate, evolving and always different. Although the script may be the same every night, the performance is unique, each and every time it happens. No two performances are ever the same. In this way, everyone involved has a distinct and unique experience that can never be replicated.

Live theatre helps to promote social discourse, dialogue and potential social change. Theatre is a cultural phenomenon that demands that society examines itself in the mirror. We can study societal problems and attempt to find solutions. Coming together as a community to listen to opposing points of view is necessary.

Theatre promotes education and literacy. Studies have shown that students who participate in theatre do better in school.

Theatre has been a huge part of my life; I cannot picture my life without it. It has been crucial for developing my self-worth and confidence, things that have really helped me become the person I am today. More people should consider theatre for furthering their life skills and opportunities.