I believe that life lessons can be learned when you are a performer.

When you think of a performer what do you think of? Some may think about the stage or lights or a spectacular show. I believe that performing arts is more than that; it has a core of honest hard work, dedication. Performing can teach people about the value of team work and how much each member of a cast is needed. If you are missing one member the group it is not the same. I have learn so much as a performer not just how to put on a great show, but much more.
When the audience looks at the stage they see the people in front. They see the singer or dancer light up the stage with their talent. To the audience they seem like the most important aspect of the night, but that is the opposite. The people behind the scenes make the show what it is, like the director, stage manager, the sound guy and the make up artist. That is very similar to the other people we come in contact with in our daily lives, such as our families, friends and mentors. They make our “show” look good, meaning that they helped shape who we are today. Those people might get a thank you or two or even a gift on their birthday, but they deserve so much more, because without them you wouldn’t be the same. As performer I have a greater appreciation for the so called “little people”, have you ever seen a show with out lights or programs (play bills) or even sound? No, because the crew behind the scenes works selflessly and diligently in order to make sure the entire behind the scenes work is taken care of. Performers need that crew and we as humans need each other.
Performers put their heart and souls into our masterpieces. They spend hours fixing and refining the most minute details of a performance in order to put on a great show. They rehearse non-stop in order to provide the audience with the highest quality of entertainment. They do it so that others can enjoy themselves. Sure when they hit the stage they are enjoying ourselves, but ultimately it is more important to make sure the audience is having a good time. The rehearsals aren’t fun or easy but the end product is worth the sacrifice. Like in life the rehearsals are long and hard with days full of many trials. There are times that they want to give up and go home because things weren’t going the right way. Then they think about the audience and the fact that the audience deserves a great show, and that alone gives them the strength to keep going. Also they think about the other performers standing on either side of them who are enduring the same pain and don’t want to let them down as well. So they keep pushing through until the routine is engraved into their minds.
Behind all of the glitter, make up, lights and fancy outfits there is something real. Being involved with performing arts can teach us so much about life. As a performer I have learned that hard work and dedication can bring great results. Performing can also remind us that life is not about you and that just because you think you are the star you aren’t; you need a whole crew of people to make life worth living. Performing can teach us that know matter what happens in life we have to keep going because “the show must go on.”