BWW Blog: Theatre Sucks You In

I was only in three shows in high school, and yet they were the best seasons of my life. We had three shows a year, but I usually just auditioned for one. I didn't really consider theatre a viable option in college, I thought it would be too much of a time commitment and would not fit into my major. I was excited to pursue my other interests.

I was ready to leave it all behind. Then, my thoughts shifted. Over the summer, I was in a 24-hour theatre festival. I was really intrigued but thought this would be my last theatre experience. I wasn't going to pursue it in college, but I was ready to perform in one final short show. It was good to hang out with some of my theatre friends for the last time, knowing I was leaving for college, but also that I would not be a theatre kid anymore. It was a goodbye to part of my life. When I got to college I followed the Seton Hall Theatre on Facebook, so I could see show updates, thinking I would just go to see the shows.

And yet, I was drawn to the program, going first to an informal meeting and then to auditions. Plans change, and this would be the only show I would do. The children's show was less of a commitment and was made to usher in the freshman to the program. I was cast as a lead in the show, something I had never had the opportunity to pursue in high school. I thought this would be a great opportunity to shine before I left the stage behind, in pursuit of a different club that would cater to my major.

But, as the show draws to a close, I want to do it again. The last months have made me want to double major and have brought me closer to theatre than I thought I would ever be. I hang out with the cast at least three times a week, which I love. We all are one big happy family, which could not have been a better first college theatre experience. I know I have a whole support group to turn to and that has been fundamental in my thriving nature in a completely new environment. As we enter tech week, I am excited to perform and put out my best efforts over a weekend of shows. This process has not only helped me learn to breathe and project, but also so much more about personal relationships than I would have learned anywhere else on campus.

I know theatre is not always like this, where the cast gets along and want to hang out all the time. And I know in the future I might not be happy with this program. I've learned how to deal with this program and it's not always fun. But, I've already scheduled a meting with my advisor about a possibility of a double major. And, I thought I was done after high school!