It happened a bit earlier this year. It usually happens as the holidays approach – but this year it happened early.
I am always advocating the value of theatre no matter what path you decide to take in college or what career you plan to pursue after college. I cannot imagine one profession that would not benefit from the self-esteem, confidence, creativity and simple awareness that comes from the study of theatre. Theatre is for everyone – and theatre education is clearly of value to everyone. However, working at an arts school, I am also focused on moving forward students who ARE setting their sites on pursuing theatre in college and perhaps even beyond college. – SO – The problem lies in the the fact that I am working with teenagers and one thing about teenagers is that they change their mind – change their mind quickly and often. Of course, this is exactly what they SHOULD be doing. They SHOULD be playing with possibilities for their future. BUT, often I am left setting MY sites on their attending an arts college, only to find out – in their senior year – that this is not their intention and that they are writing their future a different way.
What am I to do? Part of me is a bit taken back by the quickness of the change. Part of me is taken back by all of the planning I have done for their auditions and college preparation. They may be able to change easily and quickly, but I find myself less quick and less pliable to change. I also have to be careful that I do not take this change personally. As I mentioned earlier, change is a part of the high school game.
Here is the deal I usually make with the students chasing a non-theatre focus in college when they show up to my upper level acting classes: I need to treat everyone in the class AS IF they are going on to a top BFA program and you are going to need to work in this acting class AS IF you are going to study theatre IN one of those top theatre schools. We need to both live up to this agreement so that the integrity of the class is kept intact. This is not easy. I do have my opinion of what you should do for the rest of your life – but, admittedly it is your life and what you and your parents agree to is the rule.
But I can’t help wishing.. . .