A few weeks ago, I wrote about all of the wonderful things you can learn from a career in science. What I didn’t mention, is that I happen to have a second career. Ever since I was a little kid, I have been involved in musical theater. As a 90’s kid, the Disney Renaissance embedded the interest, but seeing a live show sold me. I turned to my mom when the house lights came up and said, “I want to do that.” And I have been doing it ever since. But you learn so much more from the arts than how to sing, dance, sew costumes, and build scenery.
Rejection & Persistence
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Everyone has been rejected. You didn't get into your choice school, your crush doesn't feel the same way, etc., etc. It's easy, and a common reaction, to argue away the rejection in other scenarios. “Well, my declared major was impacted.” “My crush is stupid for not recognizing how amazing I am.” Whatever else. But there is a unique sting to being cut after auditions. It's incredibly personal. Your voice was not beautiful enough. Your dancing was subpar. “You weren’t believable as a human being.”
Nothing is harder than pouring your soul out to total strangers and getting turned down. But out of rejection stems persistence. I had to work really hard for years before I got my big break as “the customer”. Yep. And I had to keep working my butt off to land even bigger roles. Nothing is guaranteed. Just because you got the starring role last time, doesn’t grant you another one in the next production. You need to keep working.
Critique
But maybe instead, you landed the part! Good job! Now comes the constant critique. “Kick higher.” “You were flat during the bridge.” When you're in the performing arts you need to be OK with being evaluated all of the time. The best impression you can make on a director is your level of dedication. You are prepared for rehearsals, you take the notes, and you always try your best.
Time-management
Off-book, mic check done, costume on, curtain up. Come rain or shine, “the show must go on." If you have 30 seconds to for a costume change, well then, you learn how to change in 30 seconds. Working in the performing arts gives you a great sense of how to work with deadlines, and more importantly, how to keep them even when something goes wrong.
Bravery
Showtime. When you are up there, all eyes are on you. You cannot hide anything. You could be in a leotard and nothing else. There could be no scenery. You have heard the common factoid that more people are afraid of public speaking than death- which prompted Jerry Seinfeld’s quip, “This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.” But when the music starts and the spotlight hits, you can’t be afraid, you have to push through all of those fears. And only then can you truly realize how exhilarating being onstage is.
