I cannot believe it is September!
While brainstorming what I wanted to write about for this week, I tried my very hardest to avoid one specific topic; the first day of school.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there are so many great things about the back-to-school season; meeting new friends, connecting with old friends you haven’t seen all summer, fall auditions, sports tryouts, and that feeling of new beginnings.
But I also know how overwhelming this time can be. Whether you are starting at a new school, or returning to a familiar place, change and growth can be scary! Up until high school I was a pretty shy kid. I always found my safe space in the Drama Club, but wasn’t quick to let my extroverted side shine during school hours.
It was only until I realized the strengths that my experiences in theater had provided me with that I began to come out of my shell in my classes and in the cafeteria. And listen, I know that theater kids have a reputation for being super extroverted, but the fact of the matter is, a lot of us are not!
And you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room, audition for every show, or even consider yourself a “theater kid” to find something special in the world of theater. Maybe you love performing, maybe you prefer working behind the scenes, or maybe you just really love a good musical. However you connect with theater, there are skills and strengths that can follow you far beyond the stage.
The first day of school can be challenging and scary for so many reasons. So, instead of shying away from the topic of the first day of school, I am deciding to embrace it. I want to provide you all with a secret theater toolkit that can be used not just in the beginning of the school year, but every day from here on out.
This toolkit is not meant to turn you into a class clown, or the next Sharpay Evans, but to remind you of the strengths that can come from being involved in theater and the arts.
This is a working list, and if there is anything I missed, or another theater superpower you think of, be sure to send me an email at blog@campbroadway.com.
A Back-to-School Theater Toolkit:
1. Saying “Yes”
One of the first lessons many theater kids are taught in improv is the importance of the word “yes.” We are taught to be accepting of any ideas our scene partner may throw our way. The concept of “yes, and…” has taught us to be extremely adaptive and open. This is a skill that carries over into any and all new experiences! It is amazing how things can open up when you take a leap and throw yourself into something new.
And “yes” doesn’t have to mean saying yes to everything. Sometimes it simply means being willing to try something unfamiliar, listen to a new idea, or give yourself permission to be a beginner.
2. Seeing the bigger picture
Whether you are an onstage performer, a stage manager, director, costumer, crew member, writer, designer, or simply someone who loves being part of a show, you are a part of a larger whole, and an essential piece of a puzzle. In any of these roles, you are able to visualize an empty stage, an unlit black box, or a girl in leggings and a hoodie as something completely different.
On the first day of rehearsals, it may seem impossible to imagine a show coming together. But those of us who spend time in theater learn to see the vision. Sometimes in school, one bad day, one bad grade, or one mean friend can feel like the end of the world. We have the power to see beyond this moment and visualize a better, brighter tomorrow.
As I mentioned in last week’s blog, Camp Broadway currently has a reading list at the Drama Book Shop. One of my favorites from this list is Setting the Stage (Cast vs. Crew #1). This book is perfect to pick up as the school year starts, and perfectly encapsulates the art of seeing the bigger picture.
3. Show knowledge makes you impressive
I dedicate my high score on my AP U.S. History exam almost completely to Lin-Manuel Miranda and my Hamilton phase (let’s be honest, it was never just a phase.) More times than I can count, I have found an answer to a difficult question or pulled a fun fact straight from the lyrics of my favorite musicals.
English teachers always found my ability to understand complex characters admirable. There is a superpower to be found in constantly being surrounded by larger-than-life characters and intricate plotlines. Theater can teach us how to understand different perspectives, recognize patterns, tell stories, and ask questions, and those skills can come in handy just about anywhere.
And, on a more studious note, the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center’s online resources are also a great tool.
4. Collaboration
My cast of characters, what do we as theater kids know better than teamwork? As part of a show, we have honed the skill of lifting each other up (sometimes literally) and building something together (again, sometimes literally.)
This strength comes into play in so many ways outside of the theater as well. Whether you are leading a group project, sharing creative ideas with your classmates, helping someone behind the scenes, or simply being the person who makes sure everyone feels included, theater teaches us that the best things are rarely created alone.
Our ability to support one another is invaluable, and perhaps our greatest strength.
Our superpowers as theater lovers span far beyond this list. As the first day of school rolls around, I would love to hear some stories or ideas from all of you. I hope this list can serve as a reminder that the things you love, and the skills you build because of them, matter, whether or not you have ever stepped on a stage.
If you ever find yourself in a moment of overwhelm, turn to this toolkit for a little boost. And if theater is a big part of your life, a small part of your life, or something you are just beginning to explore, there is a place for you here.
In this era of new beginnings, know that your Camp Broadway community and I are always here for you. You’ve got this!
More next week.
Jenny
