What does Mental Health Have To Do With Theatre?
Ever walk into an audition and think to yourself “who do I need to pretend to be today?” Whether it’s for the sake of being exactly what a director wants, or to stand out from the other auditioners, performers are uniquely positioned in a very competitive environment. But what if you’re not a competitive person? Even if you’re naturally confident, repeatedly getting type-cast in the same roles or never landing the part you want, that stuff can really take a hit to yourself esteem.
So, there are pros and cons…
The world of theatre and music can be a place of love, support, joy and laughter. A group of misfits that become a family. It is a beautiful and treasured community and that can never be understated.
Somehow, at the same time, it can be a place that puts on an enormous amount of pressure. Auditions force us to compare ourselves to others, rehearsals can make us shift our personalities to fit a certain directors’ style or a casts’ humor. Just because we love belting out our favorite showtunes, and the inside jokes that come with every theatre experience, doesn’t invalidate how hard it can be. Even if you go into every audition with confidence, or you landed the role you wanted, there are always expectations to fit in, perform well, do everything you’re told, etc. and that can be exhausting.
During the time of COVID19, obviously theatre isn’t happening. Here are some resources for you to check out from anxiety relief to your necessary theatre fix:
