I love every part of the theatre. I’ve been involved since 5th grade and performed or been involved in over 50 shows. I have met new friends, collaborated with talented actors, and met the love of my life. With all the amazing life lessons from the theatre, there are five that can translate into all aspects of your personal and professional life.
The arts have a lot of benefits and life lessons to offer those who participate in them. These lessons make up the reasons why theater is as essential as any other relevant subject. Let’s take a look at what you can learn from the theater.
“Theatre is the art form of the present: it exists only in the present, and then it’s gone.”
Simon McBurney
Lessons you can learn from the Arts
Teamwork
Acting requires collaboration and full cooperation with all cast members from the exercises, to rehearsals, and performances. The theater is actually one of those places where it is one for all and all for one, so actors share thoughts and ideas, give and receive constructive feedback, and support their fellow actors to make each other better. These qualities are not common in our everyday lives.
Theater also teaches participants to trust their troupe. You’ll learn to put your trust in your scene mates and in your directors.
Self-Awareness
Actors learn to be very self-aware since, in theater, you really need to be conscious of everything that is happening around you and what is going on within you. You’ll learn to be very aware of your physicality, facial expressions, and tone to ensure that they all fully align in character for the role you are playing.
The ability to be constantly aware of your physical space and to be fully aware of yourself and your capabilities is fundamental to success in every field in life.
Time Management
For theater people, time management is vital. They understand the value of time, and they always keep deadlines in mind because they know that delaying or postponing a show is not an option.
Rehearsal times are set, and all cast and crew members have to be there early. They say time is money and it is so for theater people. They do not play around because they are putting on a show for a paying audience.
Receptive to Criticism
Actors always strive to put up a phenomenal show; however, at the end of every show, they get to receive criticism and notes from scene partners and directors.
This exposure to criticism which the theater offers makes actors very receptive to comments. They learn to become good listeners, and also to respect different points of view as well as consider them.
Dealing with Different Types of People
In the theater, different types of people with the widest range of personality types come together. Actors get to work with rough directors, lazy scene partners, and other shades of humans. They have to be very professional and act like they have no issue with them on stage, in front of their audience.
The technical crew backstage must also work impeccably regardless of the kind of people they are working with.
In conclusion, the theater teaches lessons that can be useful in virtually all areas of life. However, life lessons from the theatre are not limited to these five. The point is, getting involved in arts is definitely a way to go.
