My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

BWW Blog: Patti Meadors - Balancing School and Theatre

By:

I attend public school every day and go from rehearsal to rehearsal after school. I am lucky to have these opportunities to perform and work with others in my theatre department. These opportunities often times lead me to being home later than expected. I sometimes go to three rehearsals after school and get home at 9:30.

With this being my senior year, I have a lot of college audition and applications to focus on, in addition to general schoolwork. I also need to find time to make sure I'm practicing vocals and monologues for auditions, and dances and blocking for show choir, shows, and classes. Sometime in there, I need to find time to stay healthy and be able to be social.

I usually go to bed right when I get home from late rehearsals, because I am so exhausted. I set my alarm for early in the morning to get homework done. I also made sure to finish college applications before school started, because I knew I would have a lot of other outside commitments. I am lucky that I did this and planned ahead, because I know many people may be scrambling to make their November 1st deadline.

My biggest challenge is trying to make time to practice not only for vocals, but also my monologues. I rarely have extra time during the week because I am also focused on staying healthy and getting sleep. Running from rehearsal to rehearsal seems stressful and tiring, but it is how I love living day to day life. I thrive on being busy, because I plan my days down well. I can stay on top of my schedule as best as I can so I don't scramble at the last minute finishing projects, papers or other things that need to be done.

I am thankful that I have an amazing support system who knows how to be kind and supportive of me when I need them. I have been lucky enough to be constantly busy, yet still be able to have fun and get a good amount of sleep to stay healthy, and keep my grades up. I am nervous for college auditions, but excited for the new journey ahead of me.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Lighting Design - Top 3
1. Jen Schriever, Michael Arden - The Lost Boys
39.3% of votes
2. Jack Knowles - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
12.2% of votes
3. Adam Honoré - CATS: The Jellicle Ball
6.9% of votes

Need more Chicago Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Windfall in Chicago Windfall
Steppenwolf Theatre Company (4/09-5/31)
South Pacific in Chicago South Pacific
Paramount Arts Centre (4/29-6/14)
The Red Lion in Chicago The Red Lion
The Bramble Arts Loft (5/01-5/16)
The Lifespan of a Fact in Chicago The Lifespan of a Fact
Parker Players Theater (4/24-5/17) PHOTOS VIDEOS
Gruesome Playground Injuries in Chicago Gruesome Playground Injuries
Silverstage Theatre Company (5/08-5/16) PHOTOS VIDEOS
6X6 Project in Chicago 6X6 Project
Raue Center For The Arts (6/27-6/27)
Calendar Girls in Chicago Calendar Girls
Theatre 121 (5/01-5/17)
Ava Logan — Jazz Zing! in Chicago Ava Logan — Jazz Zing!
Haven Entertainment Center (5/16-5/16)
& Juliet in Chicago & Juliet
The Auditorium (7/22-8/02)
Maybe Tomorrow in Chicago Maybe Tomorrow
Wild Door Theater (4/13-5/24)