“Oh… You do theater?” followed by a smirk and a judgemental look.

To be completely honest, I can’t really blame them. The image of loud kids singing showtunes while running around onstage in ridiculous outfits is not an easy one to erase from the brain. Why would anyone want to subject themselves to that kind of embarrassment? A crowd watching you recite lines under the heat of bright lights as you sweat off your stage makeup, accompanied by the loud thumping of your heartbeat. Embarrassing, scary, stagefright, weird, I won’t be good at it… 

The importance of artistic expression is something that has been preached to students since the beginning of their schooling journey. From playing pretend in Kindergarten to creating messy art projects, it was never a concern as to whether or not you would be judged for taking a risk or doing something just for the sake of expressing yourself. As we grow up, some choose to channel their creativity or passion to activities like sports, clubs, volunteering, art, etc. Traditionally, sports are a popular activity due to the mass numbers that participate, as well as the team building nature combined with a well funded program. While no one can deny the significance of team sports and the positive impact they have on students, oftentimes activities regarding Visual and Performing Arts are ignored or looked down upon due to the negative stigmas associated with the scary or embarrassing nature that comes with theater, music, or art. 

When I was young, my parents encouraged me to participate in a variety of activities like soccer, tennis, karate, piano, dance, in order for me to get a sense of what I might enjoy or have a knack for as I grew up. I’ve always been a very outgoing and expressive person, so activities like soccer or tennis lacked the creative expression that I felt I needed as an 8-year-old kid. So the theater called my name! When you’re 8, you don’t really understand the negative stigmas that come with being a “theater kid.” All you’re thinking is how fun it is to put on a show with your friends and lose yourself in a character that is completely different from yourself. What I found out as I got older is how shocking and taboo this would seem to others meeting me for the first time after telling them that “I do theater.” So I learned to keep my passion for performing arts to myself, never bringing it up to anyone unless asked. Then, I’d briefly answer their question and change the subject, trying not to draw too much attention to the rehearsal I have to get to after school. 

As much as I’ve tried to hide my participation in theater, I’ve never understood the reason why people looked down on it so much. In my own personal experience, theater has always been an outlet that allows me to express myself, make mistakes, and be messy without the stress that comes with the expected perfection that comes with academic work. You can make people laugh, give your audience reactions, and entertain people by giving them an escape from the stress of everyday life. The process of putting on a show with a group of people all sharing a common goal to tell a story is the perfect recipe for lasting friendships. These connections give you a wider perspective of other people who are different from yourself. You learn teamwork, problem solving, and not to mention you become a master of social skills and conversation. Finally, when the rehearsal process is over, you get dressed up to present your hard work to a theater full of audience members, all sharing the experience of a live performance done by a group of passionate individuals coming together to tell a story. The lights shine on your face as you hear laughing, maybe crying, applause, and a fully immersive show that is fully thanks to the hard work the tech and actors have poured into it. 

It cannot be denied that the modern world is built on artists. Whether that be movies, TV shows, music, fashion, etc, they are all built on artistic expression that probably started out as weird or embarrassing. When you turn on the TV and see your favorite actor on screen, chances are they probably started on the stage. Timothee Chalalmet, Zendaya, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift are just some of the big names who started out on the stages of their high school theater. So maybe the next time you hear that theater is “weird” or “embarrassing”, buy a ticket to a local show or sign up for that audition and see for yourself.