I love, absolutely love, live theater. I enjoy going to see plays an musicals, but even more I love being involved behind the scenes. Last Summer, I was looking for some theater thing to be involved in, and I found a notice for a play. I e-mailed the director and ended up on the productions staff. I met some fun people, and some not so fun people, and I really loved being involved again. Then, in October, I auditioned for a show with a different theater company. I ended up being cast as an "Usherette" for "1940's Radio Hour". It was kind of a made up role because the director wanted to have a bigger ensemble than the script called for. But the other Usherettes and I rose to the challenge and created a really fun part, including a pre-show of Acapella Christmas carols. During the Christmas season I went back to the theater where I had been on the production staff to see some of my friends in their Christmas show. I ran into the director, and he asked me to be involved with the next show. I agreed, and joined the production staff again. The producer for that show is directing the next show, and she recruited me to be the musical director for that. So, for the last few months, the theater has become my life.
As much as I love it, I'm finding that I don't have time for much else, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. Is it wrong to give up dreams or goals because I've found something else that I love? Is it okay to not have a social life or friends outside the theater when I love the people that I work with there? Is it really acceptable to allow this facet of my life to inhibit my being able to do anything else? I admit that I first got into theater for the joy of performing (after my concert pianist dreams were shattered along with my wrist), and I stayed with it because of the excuses it afforded me to not be at home. But, now I feel that I've been sucked into this magnificent vortex from which there is no escape. At this moment, I don't want to escape, I love my life the way it is. However, I can foresee, in the not too distant future, how this could very well impede my progress in life. I don't have time to meet people, go on dates (or even just out with friends), spend time with my family, exercise, eat properly, sleep, etc.
For now I say "The show must go on!" And I'm dedicated to serving the in the theater because, as crazy as it may sound, it relieves my stress. Theater gives me a chance to get out of my own personal hell and live in another world, many other worlds. Theater is bringing back to me the joy of performing that my wrist injuries took away from me, and I am not going to give that up easily.
As much as I love it, I'm finding that I don't have time for much else, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. Is it wrong to give up dreams or goals because I've found something else that I love? Is it okay to not have a social life or friends outside the theater when I love the people that I work with there? Is it really acceptable to allow this facet of my life to inhibit my being able to do anything else? I admit that I first got into theater for the joy of performing (after my concert pianist dreams were shattered along with my wrist), and I stayed with it because of the excuses it afforded me to not be at home. But, now I feel that I've been sucked into this magnificent vortex from which there is no escape. At this moment, I don't want to escape, I love my life the way it is. However, I can foresee, in the not too distant future, how this could very well impede my progress in life. I don't have time to meet people, go on dates (or even just out with friends), spend time with my family, exercise, eat properly, sleep, etc.
For now I say "The show must go on!" And I'm dedicated to serving the in the theater because, as crazy as it may sound, it relieves my stress. Theater gives me a chance to get out of my own personal hell and live in another world, many other worlds. Theater is bringing back to me the joy of performing that my wrist injuries took away from me, and I am not going to give that up easily.
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