Student Blog: What Kind of Performer Do I Want to Be?

Spring has always felt like a natural time to reset. There’s something about the shift in seasons that makes me reflect on where I’ve been and where I want to go next. When it comes to theatre, this moment feels especially important for me because I’m in a stage of growth where I’m not just doing the work, I’m trying to understand who I am within it.

Right now, my biggest focus is on consuming more theatre in as many forms as possible. I want to see more live productions, read more plays, and expose myself to work that I wouldn’t normally gravitate toward. In the past, I’ve spent a lot of time in musical theatre, which I love and will always be a part of who I am as a performer. But lately, I’ve realized how important it is for me to branch out and experience a wider range of styles and genres.

I’ve been making an effort to read plays that are completely different from each other, contemporary works, older classics, experimental pieces, and stories that challenge traditional structure. The same goes for what I’m watching. Whether it’s a small, intimate play or a large-scale production, I want to understand how different kinds of theatre function and what makes each one effective. I’m especially interested in work that feels unique or unexpected, because it pushes me to think differently about storytelling and performance.

This exploration connects directly to something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately: what kind of performer I actually want to be. For a long time, I’ve identified strongly with certain roles and strengths, especially within musical theatre. But as I continue training and gaining experience, I’ve started to question whether I want to stay in that lane or expand beyond it. I don’t necessarily have a clear answer yet, and I think that’s okay.

Instead of trying to label myself too quickly, I’m focusing on building skills that will allow me to be versatile. I want to be someone who can step into a wide range of roles, whether that’s comedic, dramatic, stylized, or grounded, and bring something truthful and specific to each one. I’m especially interested in developing my ability to create strong physical and vocal choices, since those are the tools that really bring a character to life.

Another part of this process is learning how to take risks. It’s easy to fall back on what feels comfortable, especially when you know it works. But growth doesn’t happen in comfort. By exposing myself to new types of theatre and pushing myself into unfamiliar territory, I’m hoping to discover strengths I didn’t know I had, and maybe even redefine what I thought I was capable of.

At the same time, I’m trying to stay grounded in why I love theatre in the first place. It’s not just about performing well or fitting into a certain category; it’s about connection, storytelling, and creating something meaningful with other people. As I figure out what kind of performer I want to be, I also want to make sure I’m someone who contributes positively to the creative process and helps bring stories to life in an honest way.

This spring feels like a turning point, not because I have everything figured out, but because I’m asking better questions. I’m exploring, observing, and staying open to change. And in a field like theatre, that openness might be the most important skill of all.