To Be or Not To Be by Sayler

To Be or Not To Be by Sayler - January 2023 Scholarship Essay

"To be or not to be?" When people first think of Theater, many think of these notorious words written by the great Shakespeare himself. Their minds automatically swirl to the stereotypical old-time plays with goofy costumes and lousy acting. It is safe to say that Theater has gained a bleak and boring reputation among high schoolers. Little do they know, however, what unique assets this extracurricular can provide to students of all interests! In this essay, I will explain just a few inspiring and vital reasons why I think Theater should be a required class for all high-school students!

The first reason Theater should be a required class is that it builds self-esteem and confidence. It is no secret that being a high schooler in this day and age can be tough. Students must deal with the unachievable body standards on social media, the weighing anxiety of their futures, and the ever-present pressures of being "popular." It's enough to make anyone's head spin! Many teens become insecure about themselves during this time and miss out on so many experiences! Theater, however, is all about breaking out of your shell and building confidence. It isn't easy to recite a monologue or break out into a choreographed tap number in front of your peers, but it forces you to go outside your comfort zone, which ultimately builds confidence. The basis of Theater is centered around a community that wants to encourage one another and help lift a student's self-esteem.

The second reason I believe Theater should be a required class is its positive effects on a student's oral communication and writing skills. Countless scientific observations prove that kids who participate in Theater have better pronunciation, articulation, and voice projection than those who do not. This is because Theater is all about performance! A student can't just expect to read a script and excel. No! They have to perform and put effort into their part! An actor has to analyze their lines and project them to the audience to fully convey the play's story! This requires an in-depth look into the meaning of the words and their power, thus giving students a boost in their oral communication and writing skills, which will come in handy during their future professional lives!

The third reason I firmly believe that Theater should be a required class is that it helps to build teamwork skills and unity among students. Putting on a production is a vast mission requiring multiple people to fulfill numerous roles. Actors, directors, stage crew, costume designers, and even light crews all play pivotal parts in the making of a play. When students participate in Theater, they quickly learn that even the most minor job is essential and the show's outcome is equally dependent on everyone'severyone's ability to perform their tasks. This creates an incredible sense of teamwork and unity within students and allows them to be a part of something much bigger than themselves. It will enable them to see all their hard work set into motion and creates a bond that will never be broken!

In conclusion, I firmly believe that Theater should be a required class for all high school students. It builds self-esteem and confidence within teens by making them step out of their comfort zones! It also improves students' oral communication and writing skills by allowing them to analyze their scripts and perform their monologues in front of an audience. Theater also builds teamwork skills and unity by enabling students to participate in something bigger than themselves. Overall, I believe that Theater truly changed my life, and I would love for every high schooler to experience the fantastic benefits of Theater!