I never thought I’d be one to say it but I honestly don’t know where I’d be without theatre. At first it was just a hobby I enjoyed doing in my free time but soon enough it became my life.
See, it first started when I walked into my high school’s blackbox. It was the first day of my freshman year and I was lost in this immense school full of unfamiliar faces. As soon as I stepped into class, I was greeted warmly by the senior Thespians who were helping my teacher in welcoming us. I still was scared shitless.
Weeks went by and I started becoming more comfortable. I had sang all of my life but embodying a character while singing was something I had never experienced.
Freshman year was the year where I saw my older peers perform for competition and shows; then I realized that was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my high school career.
The years went by and I grew so much artistically that I even amazed myself. I went from being this shy girl who stayed in her comfort zone to this social butterfly who now helped lead theatre warm ups and even directed a few theatre pieces. My last bow on the main stage was one I will never forget.
Our fellow underclassmen bought us seniors flowers and I could not contain my tears. The amount of love you receive and give is incredible when you’re part of the show – no matter how much you bicker with your cast mates occasionally. You create a bond and I felt at home with them. We were a family.
And now I’m in college. During my first semester, I had a lot being thrown at me. I was going through some family struggles and now that I look back at it, even an identity crisis. I had no idea what I was going to do with my life. I was majoring in education and while I love working with kids, I couldn’t see myself doing that for the rest of my life.
The next semester, I decided to change my major to Communication Arts. I’m a people person so I figured it would be where I fit in. I looked into careers I could pursue and the list mentioned “theater manager” and “director”. I thought this would be as close I could get to do theatre again but there was still a void left within me.
There is no other adrenaline rush like the one you get when you step onstage and I was not living happily without it so I made a decision that may make or break me in the upcoming years. I auditioned for my university’s theatre department. (Psst… I got in!)
I’m now double majoring and I could not be more excited. I’m going back to doing what I love because I couldn’t see myself doing anything else than performing.
The main message I want to send with this story of my life is to never give up on your passion. I had people telling me it was unrealistic and stupid because the theatre industry is a tough place to find success in. I stopped listening to them a long time ago but I know a lot of people that don’t have that will power.
If you have something you love to do, I don’t care what it is, follow it. Pursue it. Do it for yourself and believe me you will be happy that you did.
