Theatre is Important by Kyla

Theatre is Important by Kyla - June 2018 Scholarship Essay

I believe that every student should be required to take a theatre class once in their lifetime. I was in theatre from grades 8-12, being a student that suffers with mental illness, and growing up in a small community in Florida, I was subject to bullying. I was unsure of who I was, I didn’t like myself in any aspect, and when people made fun of me, it made me feel even worse.
When I got to middle school, I had already dealt with issues of bullying in elementary school, but it progressively got worse as I got older. It got to the point where I was unable to talk to anyone, my social anxiety was at it’s peak, I was too depressed to pay attention in class, if I even went at all. It was a low point in my life, and I felt like it was never going to change. When I got into my theatre class in eighth grade, I wasn’t fond of it. I thought it was hokey, I didn’t want to participate because I didn’t want to be made fun of, and I couldn’t even get a sentence out in front of people without stuttering and blushing.
As I got older, and had the same teacher year after year, she saw my struggles, and helped me work through them. She told me that I was talented, and that most importantly, I was worth it. It inspired me to work on being comfortable in who I was, and the more I participated in skits on stage, I began to talk to people more easily. I made friends, and I could comfortable talk in front of others without fear of being made fun of.
By the time I graduated high school, I was confident in who I was, I knew what I wanted to do with my life, and I was motivated. I had attempted suicide multiple times in high school, and If it weren’t for my teacher telling me that I was worth it, and motivating me to be who I am, helping me find my voice, I wouldn’t be here today. I think it’s important for everyone to experience theatre, even for a few weeks. It helps people learn about themselves, and that’s the most important thing.