Everyone’s been writing lately about why they do theatre.  I’ve had an interesting bout with theatre here lately, so I feel pretty damn qualified to spill a little opinionated light here.  Cause I’ve left it pretty dark, as of late.

My first show EVER was Christmas Carol, when I was ten.  Not only was it my first show, but it was my first brush of Debbie and Viv, who ended up shaping a lot of what I hold true today.  I got yelled at.  A.  Lot.  I was coerced, nay, forced into being something I wasn’t.  It was a rough adjustment, for someone who had been taking voice since she was seven, to be suddenly told that her voice was not sufficient.. that her presence on-stage was lackluster.. and that the ensemble she was part of was ruining the scene for the diva.  I was ten, for crying out loud.

Looking back on it, I realized that I was better for the wear.  To this day, I work as hard as I can to make the scene the best it can be, not for myself, but for everyone else sharing the stage with me.  Because, in the end, although I say it.. it’s not MY house.  It belonged to someone before me.  It’s not MY stage.  I didn’t build it.  In the end, I’m lucky to be up there.

Theatre is awesome because it allows you to be coerced, nay, forced to be something you aren’t.  It gives you wiggle room.  It’s like trying on clothes with personalities.  And just like clothes, where some people always go for the same style, color, or fit.. some people always give the same performance on stage.  It’s inevitable.  But just like some people will wear multi-colored sequined shoes, some people always are open to trying new personalities.  It’s fun.  And it’s safe, believe it or not.  Being on stage gives you the safety to be whatever you want that character to be and not be faulted for it.  Wanna be slutty?  Sure.. it’s not you, it’s the character.  Be a murderous succubus?  Why not?  It’s not you.. it’s the character.

Where people make mistakes is by trying on personalities off-stage.  Subtleties can be safe, but huge leaps of character are dangerous.  So it’s like I always say.. "Do your job" and "Save it for the stage".  To be a very talented actor, you must know who you are INSIDE, as a person, rather than as an actor.  You have to know what height your diving board is at before you can guage your dive, you know?  I’m terrible at analogies.

I had an inkling of this before now, but lately, it has only been solidified.  Taking direction well is very important.  And those who take direction well are those who know their starting points.  Lately, in all the constant fluidity of theatre in Sarah’s life, I’ve found that one thing is true.. it’s Sarah’s life, and theatre just comes and goes.  I think everyone should be so fortunate to be surrounded with loving people who preach that.

And remember.. life is cyclical.  EVERYTHING comes back around.  So although you may feel robbed or beaten or dejected (and believe me, those I KNOW), take heart in knowing that those who MADE you feel that way will get theirs.  It’s life.. that’s how it works.

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot.. nothing’s going to get better.  It’s not." - The Lorax, Dr. Seuss

It will get better.