All the world’s a stage

I’ve had theater running in my veins for as far back as I can remember. Whether it be from one of my first roles as a "tree" in kindergarten, to a host of ensemble parts throughout my life – clowns, reporters, a squirrel even, to my share of leading roles and time in the spotlight, I’ve always loved being on the stage, and for more reasons than the obvious ones. It’s not all about just performing in front of people – though that’s fun too, it’s about the entire theater experience. I love it all, being onstage being offstage, it’s like a larger-than-life version of the childhood game "Dress Up" and for just a few hours you can completely reinvent yourself and be anything in the world. It’s a lot like the movies and TV but with the glorious addition of the live audience. There are no take two’s in theater and that makes it all the more exciting. Additionally, when I really think about it, theater combines two of the greatest passions of my life – performing and writing. That’s probably why it’s so appealing to me especially. A great performance can’t be achieved without a great script and great scripts are usually inspired by great performances. It is truly an art that imitates life.

Theater has been a part of human civilization since before recorded history. While some of the first written records of performed drama stem from the passion plays of Egypt, most people believe theater really takes it roots from the drama development in Greece and Rome. The earliest development of theater as an art can be attributed to the Greek artist Thespis, who won the play competition in honor of the Greek god Dionysus in 534 BC. While it is uncertain whether Thespis was a playwright, a priest, or an actor, it is in his name that our present-day dramatic arts are associated in the word "thespian." To be sure, many people credit Greece as the true cradle of dramatic history, and, while that may be true (as a matter of fact, several Greek plays are still performed to this day), I believe that the act of performing goes back even further than that. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the first nomadic Homo sapiens didn’t perform in front of each other in the firelight just to pass the time.

I believe theater and the entire world of performance and drama stemmed from simple storytelling. This is something human beings have done since the dawn of time. Sitting quietly by the fireplace relating a kaleidoscope of tales to one other for a whole plethora of purposes – to entertain, to amuse, to relax, to scare, to cheer up, just to name a few. The obvious evolution of simply just telling a story, of course, would be to act it out in an attempt to make the story come to life. That’s what theater is, bringing life to a story and allowing other people to enjoy it. Indeed, it is probably this entire purpose that has kept theater alive throughout the centuries. Even when it was placed on the back burner during the Middle Ages, the art of drama was kept alive by roaming street performers who wow-ed crowds with their shiny costumes and glittery makeup. In fact, while it was the Church that outlawed theaters during the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, it was ironically also the Church that kept it alive. This was due to their need to instill themselves in a public that was still greatly seeped in pagan rituals and superstition manifesting itself in seasonal festivals. The Church ultimately linked their own religious holidays to seasonal festivals and used the dramatic form as a way of reinforcing their religious connotation and explaining their importance to an illiterate congregation.

I’m beginning to sound like a geek, huh? Well, maybe I am, but I’ve always been the type of person who delves completely into something I’m passionate about. I’ve always believed that in order to be great (not just good) at something it is important to know everything about it. I research and read plays probably as much as a musician would practice scales on a piano or a painter would sift through tubes and tubes of paint to find just the right color. In that aspect, my love for the stage is holistic and over the years I’ve grown to love every facet of it. I know this for a fact because everything that has anything to do with theater is fun for me – even what some see as the laborious side – rehearsing, promoting, tickets, programs. What began as simply love for performing has grown into affection for playwriting, an adoration of directing, and even the simple enjoyment of just being in the audience.

What brings about this sudden look back at my 25-year love affair with theater. Well, these past two years I’ve taken to teaching drama and it’s reminded me just how much I love it. I feel honored being given the venue to express and share that love with others. I enjoy seeing the beginnings of more theater aficionados and thespians. Indeed, may I take a moment to be completely corny and say that in many ways I see myself in those in my class. I think it comes from the fact that I took so much from those who’ve similarly taught me along the way. I still remember everything my mentors have shared and it’s through them that I can truly appreciate my love for the stage. And now that the shoe is on the other foot, when I look at my students, I can tell right away if the art of drama is something they will cherish and excel at or just engage in as hobby. This is because, like everything in life, just being good at acting isn’t enough, you have to be committed and dedicated and be willing to practice and hone your craft at all time and not just when it’s convenient. More often than not, those with the passion will succeed much more than those with the talent but have no fire.

I’ve pretty much uprooted myself from centerstage to sitting in a director’s chair or chilling in the audience but my love for theater remains the same and the lessons I take from it resonate in my life. To me, theater is pure and while others often tease me and say that I’m just "acting" in real life or just "being dramatic" that couldn’t be further from the truth. If anything, theater has taught me how to truly be myself. Acting, in its basest definition, is reserved for the stage but in real life truth reigns supreme. It’s by living this truth one can truly take on another character and perform. After all, how can you be someone else when you don’t even know who you are? As Annie Rivera, someone who truly inspired me in theater long ago, said, "Theater gives us many things, but perhaps the most important thing it gives us is ourselves." This has remained true for me after all these years.