I have been completely passionate about Theatre since I was 8-years-old and asked my mom what a play and an audition was. She explained it to me and after I expressed interest, took me to our Community Theatre's audition of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." I landed a part in the play as a baby angel, walked on stage, spotted my family, waved to them, and although reprimanded by the director, was hooked. I was constantly auditioning for shows at school and our Community Theatre (York Little Theatre), rehearsing, memorizing lines, and working on songs and dances. I would even volunteer at YLT in order to take free classes. Although I still got decent grades in school, I definitely focused on Theatre much more than my schoolwork. There was once a time I would rehearse for my high school musical, then go to YLT to perform a show....homework that night was definitely left on the back burner (sorry high school teachers!) So when it came time to choose a major in college, there was really no doubt in my mind that I would be studying Theatre for the next 4 years. I did really well in college, and know that I am extremely fortunate to have been cast in two mainstage shows as well as a few student directed shows and scenes for the Senior Directing Class.
But when senior year hit, I wasn't getting cast in anything. Part of me knew this was the 'biz and that there were A LOT of talented people at my University. I found myself not really knowing who I was without doing Theatre. After all, when people asked me what one word describes me, I would always say "Actress." If someone asked what my hobbies were, it was "Acting." Not performing really forced me to take a look at myself. Who was I without Theatre? I can tell you that over the past few years, I have been finding out. I love traveling, meeting new people, and learning about different cultures. I love teaching, children looking up to me and relying on me. I love reading, writing, photography, and yoga. I love exotic food, beer, and wine. I love spending time with my friends and family. I love being a girlfriend. I found out that I really do want a family someday (a husband, two kids - a boy and a girl - and a dog.) I've realized I'm ALL of these things and have many goals in life that aren't all affiliated with Theatre. I might not put 100% into photography & yoga, but it doesn't mean that those things aren't a part of me. And even though Theatre hasn't been my whole life over the past few years like it once was, doesn't mean that it's still not a part of my life.
When I returned from Korea, I was fortunate enough to be offered a position as an administrative assistant at an engineering firm. Some people have said to me "So you didn't major in anything real?" and "What does your job have to do with theatre?" To those people, this is what I have to say:
On one hand, absolutely nothing. I can't believe I went to college for Theatre, and am working an 8-5 desk job. But let's be honest here, how many people these days actually have a job in what they majored in? And especially, how many of those people graduated from college around the time the recession hit? I'm not saying that me not acting has to do with the recession, but in general, times are changing. Things are not so black and white anymore.
On the other hand, it has everything to do with theatre. With performing, we are taught to leave our day and personal life at the door, or it will completely effect the way we perform. This can sometimes be an extremely difficult task at work...to constantly be upbeat on the phone to clients, to your co-workers, to your bosses. It is a constant show. And sometimes I fail. Sometimes I fail miserably. In my acting classes, we had many scenes to rehearse with our scene partners. I may not have learned about grandiose business or marketing plans, but I had just as many "group projects" as the business school folk. We had to learn how to work together, as you do in ANY work environment. We learned how to be reliable, flexible, think on our feet, think outside of the box, plus many other skills that I'm sure I don't even realize myself just yet.
Going forward, I may work professionally as an actress for the rest of my life, I may only do occasional community theatre, and I may never step on a stage again. But I do not regret choosing to major in Theatre during college. I do not regret not really performing over the past few years. Regardless of what happens, Theatre was, is, and always will be a part of me and has taught me so many invaluable life skills. Everything that happens in your life shapes you and I have found even just in my 26 years that everything really does come full circle.
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