Theater. That word means a lot to me and to a lot of other people. For me, theater is a place where, with a little bit of imagination, anything can, and does happen. Actors can be some of the most passionate people in the world, willing to stand up for what they believe in. Theater often contains wonderful words spoken by great actors, and songs which excite and inspire audience members. Here is some of what excites me about the theater and why.
In musicals, the stories can be anything from light silly comedies to deeply romantic and passionate dramas. The characters express their emotions through gorgeous romantic ballads and big, brash, bold production numbers. I like all of these wonderful aspects. But more than that, I love musicals because they contain characters that I can identify with and feel for. Sometimes these characters may be struggling to be accepted by people for who they really are. Other times, they may be passionate leaders, willing to die for their beliefs. But in all cases, in every musical or play I see, there is always someone with whom I identify and I can see in them a reflection of myself.
In straight plays, the language can be anything from Shakespearian wit to contemporary sounding words. The setting can be anywhere from an urban city to a far off, distant land. Even though both of these components make for a great show, it is the actors in straight plays who I truly admire. Actors in straight plays often have the formidable task of entertaining an audience without relief of a musical number or singing. For this, they must rely on the story, the characters, and their fellow actors to carry out the tales of the stage.
So, as you can see, I’ve got a lot of different reasons for loving theater and the performing arts. But whether it’s a light and happy musical or a serious dramatic straight play, one thing is clear: I love it all! So the next time, you find yourself at the theater, open your mind to the possibilities that exist within that space, free yourself from the stress and strain of everyday life, and let yourself go to a place where anything is possible.
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