Keep Calm and Hop on Stage

Drama (from the Greek verb dran, meaning “to act, do or perform”) is a great teacher. I’ve learnt the importance of teamwork, of give-and-take, of compromise. It has instilled in me a sense of camaraderie with those involved in all the plays I’ve done. The rehearsals and final performances I’ve participated in have resulted in long-term friendships with many in my production teams. It has taught me humility and the acceptance of each associate as an equal. My confidence has rocketed and my sense of achievement and self-worth is up there with the best. The costumes, the makeup, the stage-lights, and the general buzz associated with a performance give me an adrenaline rush that I don’t often experience elsewhere. I am, in short, a drama junkie (and I’ve never complained about the occasional free meals and drinks along the way, either!).

Did I hear you say you can’t act? C’mon, everyone’s an actor. When we communicate with others at work, at home, at parties, we go into performance mode. This actor in each of us, if given free rein and allowed to flow naturally and unhindered, deserves an audience. What better way to do this than to hop on stage?

Do you enjoy telling stories that touch the emotions of your listeners and make them laugh, sniffle, surprised, angry etc? If the answer is ‘yes’, you should be on stage. The adventurer in you will get a rush from the challenge of facing an audience.

If you’re shy and retreating, acting lets you enter the world of make-believe and you become someone else. If you’re the serious type, here’s your opportunity to let your hair down and have fun.