The thing about theater is that most of the time, it’s a group effort. It isn’t led by one person or made possible by just one singular effort. It’s the collection of people and wills that makes a production possible. However, I felt determined to find a way to be a leader within the theater community so that I could help lift others up and share my passion as well. That opportunity came in a way that I wasn’t expecting.
After spending a summer working at a theater summer camp, my boss came to me with an opportunity I couldn’t turn down: the chance to lead my own acting class for young performers. Starting the following winter, I taught two classes of young actors ages 7-10 about everything that I found so fascinating about theater. We worked on basics like character, emotions, and physicality and I came to know each kid and discover what kind of performer they were.
The thing is, leading kids is a lot different than leading a group of peers. It requires a special combination of patience, stability, and silliness that not a lot of people are perfect at, including myself. For example, when one of the kids came into class super nervous and hesitant to perform in front of an audience, I had to find a way to comfort her while also being empowering. I knew I couldn’t just let her give up and not perform. Thankfully, after I was able to discuss with her exactly what the performance would be like, I saw her come out of her shell and shake off her nerves. We even played some games and she joined in, laughing and having fun. She went on to perform wonderfully that night and she gave me a hug when class was over. It felt so good to see her overcome her initial fears and take control of her emotions. Essentially, this class experience gave me the opportunity to connect with a younger generation, remind me of who I was as a kid, and allow me to integrate leadership in small ways into my everyday life. Even though I won’t be studying musical theater in college, as I move into the next phase of my life, I won’t forget the leadership experience I gained through the classes I’ve taught and the kids I’ve worked with. If anything, everyone is a nervous kid at heart; we’re all anxious to perform for others. The true magic is made when we learn to take control and empower others to do the same.