The Power of Theatre by Elaina

The Power of Theatre by Elaina - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

From a young age, I was taught how to throw a football, shoot a layup, and hit a baseball. Home-run derby, kickball, and backyard football were all games I grew up playing with my siblings and cousins. When I grew old enough to start playing sports on an organized team, I naturally joined every team I could. I was a volleyball player, cross country runner, and track team member. But I also loved the spotlight. Story telling and singing songs for the family was a part of who I was, so I also joined a theatre class as soon as I could. I loved the adrenaline of running a relay, and I loved the applause after curtain call. From 7th grade to my sophomore year of high school I was never in an offseason. I was practicing for a sport year round, and always in rehearsals for the next production. Although I was always a little stressed and a lot busy, I loved what I was doing, and I loved the people I was doing these activities with.
My sophomore year of high school I was forced to reevaluate some things. In mid-March I realized that I was involved in way too much. Every day for two weeks I went from theatre class to track practice to musical rehearsal to play rehearsal. I was spread too thin. I was frustrated because I was too busy to commit to the one thing I fully loved. I was doing a lot of things sort of well, but I wanted to do one thing really well. This presented a difficult choice. Should I choose track and continue the athletic legacy my family created, or should I choose theatre and start a new path? It took a lot of thinking, praying, and advice before I decided to leave athletics and commit 100 percent to theatre. I am the first child in my extended family to not play a sport, but I chose theatre because theatre is where I excelled, and where my closest friends were. Although at the time I was scared to break the mold of a Roher kid, now I am very glad I did. Future Roher kids will know that their family will support them in whatever they want and are passionate about, even if it isn't athletics.
Also by choosing theatre I chose an activity where I knew I would be learning skills that would help me in every area of life. Theatre has taught me how to be self-employed. I am the only person responsible for learning my lines and my choreography and if it doesn't get done, I am the only person who is held responsible. Theatre has also taught me the vitality of teamwork. I have been on teams before, but teamwork amongst the members of a production is just that much more important. If all members aren't giving their best and aren't working to better the show as a whole, the production won't reach its fullest potential. Theatre has also taught me to embrace diversity. Theatre kids encompass every type of student. There are choir kids, band kids, sport kids, brainy kids. In the theatre department, diversity is celebrated. The more diversity there is in a company, the more uniqueness a show has. Directors who recognize each person’s uniqueness and use their uniqueness to an advantage are the directors whose shows succeed.
The most important lesson I have learned as a thespian is to be resilient despite conflict. If a judge says the show is the worst he has seen, there is still an audience waiting to see the show the next night. If Romeo and Juliet get in a fight, they must still perform as star crossed lovers. If a costume tears, the director yells, or the set breaks the show must really go on with its entire cast and crew giving their absolute best every night.
Because of my involvement in theatre, I learned that other people’s perceptions do not define me. My identity is secure. I can live confidently as a strong leader who values all people from all backgrounds. I know that failure isn’t the end. I must keep going, and even celebrate my failures on the pathway to success. Leadership, resilience, and diversity are not just essential to the theatre department but are also vital in every aspect of life. Choosing theatre helped to build a foundation of qualities that I hope continue to grow in me.