What Theatre Has Taught Us

By: STO Gentry Phillips, Springtown High School, Troupe 1494
 
I don’t know about you guys, but I love, love, love being sentimental! I think it is so nice and important to look back on an event or a time in our life that may have changed us into the people we are today. This is especially true with theatre! Theatre is one of the best ways to make valuable memories in high school, and it provides us with a lot more than just learning theatrical skills. Theatre is at its core about learning about yourself, the world you live in, and maintaining the skills to go and make your community a better place. 
    Theatre teaches us to communicate! By working in companies with so many diverse individuals, you learn a lot about how to formulate one creation using many ideas. Communication in theatre allows not only for you to make excellent art, but makes way to give praise and express yourself in whatever way you see fit. Communication lets you and others be heard, whether you’re speaking for a cause or just giving your opinion. Communication paves the way for students like all of us to solve real world problems past graduation and makes it so that we are all prepared for what is next after high school. 
     Theatre teaches individuality and self thinking! How boring this planet would be if we all thought the same thing, or all looked the exact same way! By being in theatre we have learned to express ourselves, and are not afraid to show who we are. Theatre has given us pride in being different! Also, theatre has proved a safe and fun community to celebrate all those differences in, and to share our unique talents and experiences with each other. 
    Theatre teaches kindness, compassion, and positive attitudes. By being in theatre we have been exposed to so many different types of people, lifestyles, world events, and cultures. Regardless if we have seen these things first hand, or only through a show, we know that it’s real and are now able to reach out our hands and say “I’m here for you” or “I love you”. Being in theatre makes it so that the world is a little brighter for ourselves, and gives us the opportunity to make the world better for others. 
    I could go on and on for pages about all the wonderful things that we have gained from theatre. It is something truly spectacular to be a part of. So, why not share it? Encourage your friends to audition for a show next year, or to attend an acting summer camp with you. Join a community theatre over the summer with a friend or group and have the time of your life! Share these experiences with someone you love, reach out a hand, you never know how bad they might need it. 

    Much love and keep learning!
    Your 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers