The Values of Theater
In theater, there are two core positions. Actors and technicians, or techies as we call them. They’re both pretty self-explanatory. Actors go up on stage and assume roles in various productions while techies do all the “behind the scenes” effects, such as lighting, sound, makeup, etc. For a show to be successful, both actors and techies are needed which means they also need to work together. This shows one reason why theater is a great experience for students. It helps teach teamwork skills, as well as many others. Everyone is working together to get the set put together and helping each other learn lines or memorize blocking or getting through tech week, a week dedicated to focusing on tech issues and working through them. Everyone has their own problems to overcome and may need help. Sometimes someone may have the same problem as you, allowing you to work with them so you can both overcome this issue.
There are many examples of how theater could teach team building and social skills. Once rehearsals are over and show week arrives, the students are in charge and must work together to perform the show without the assistance of the director. This not only teaches team building skills, but also teaches them leadership skills and independence. Without the help of the director, the students have a stage manager. The stage manager’s role is to direct the show and give queues for lights and sounds. This is an extremely important role and gives the student experience with running a show and directing their peers. And this isn’t the only option to direct a show.
One show we perform at the end of each year is our one act shows. One act plays are short, student produced, shows where there are only a few actors, one director, and one tech director. Directors are in charge of blocking scenes, leading rehearsals, looking over the script, etc. While tech directors are in charge of planning the set, light designs, sound designs, costumes, props, etc. These two roles are opportunities to be in charge of a show without having the pressure of managing several people at a time. One act shows are much shorter and require a lot less in the way of actors, props, costumes, and a set. These types of shows provide the best opportunities to try something new, such as acting, directing, or tech. Anything that someone hasn’t tried before. These shows provide a great chance for someone to get into theater if they haven’t previously. These shows especially help students try directing without as much pressure as a larger production would warrant.
In addition to these team building skills that one could learn while being a technician in theater, it could teach you a lot more. Since being a technician would require building a set, running light and sound boards, and designing makeup and costumes, theater could teach you skills that could help you in the real world or even with a future job. Being in construction means you will put the set together using a vast variety of different power tools and materials to get the job done. This helps students learn, at a relatively young age, how to use these tools which could help them later in life, whether it be for a job or just a project at home. And while lighting design or sound design may not help in a project around the house, these skills would be useful for a job in a similar field. Whether you’re working for broadway shows or for movies, these technical skills could help one get a decent job in the future. Even acting can help you get a great paying job in the future.
Like technicians, actors too can work in broadway shows and movies but for different reasons. Instead of working sound, lights, stage building, etc. Actors will, obviously, act. And, like I stated earlier, even if you don’t choose to pursue a career in the theater department or in any form of dramatic arts, theater still teaches you important life skills. For example, if you were a director or stage manager for most of your high school career, then you may be good at organizing and instructing people. This skill is useful in the business industry especially if you decide to open your own business. Being a technician can give you a good insight on technical utilities even if they don’t apply to theater. Construction, one of the tech crews, can teach you how to use all sorts of power tools as well as some basics in wood building. And acting, as well as pretty much every tech crew, can teach you how to work with others and complete various tasks with the company of several people.
Since acting requires a lot of dancing, singing, moving through space, and general speaking, this could be a great way to learn these skills. While dancing and singing aren’t entirely crucial to most people’s lives, acting can still teach you some valuable qualities. For example, when acting on stage, actors need to be heard by everyone in the audience which means they must be able to project their voice. This skill is extremely valuable for multiple reasons. Projecting your voice ensures that your audience can hear you, they can understand your diction, and it makes you sound confident in what you are talking about.
Theater opens up many doors to opportunities that could prove to be beneficial throughout your life. It teaches you valuable skills and could even help with future careers, even if they aren’t related to dramatic arts. For these reasons and many more, getting into theater at an early age could really help someone later on, especially if they wish to pursue a career that could warrant one or more of these skill sets. I, myself, have been able to learn many of these skills throughout my, admittedly, short theater career and I do believe there is much more I could learn in the years to come.
