Lights go up, curtains go down, and voices begin to disappear into whispers as the show begins. The art of live theater has been around for centuries. It has been used as a source of entertainment and a place for people to come together and experience stories come to life.

There are many ways a play can be set up on stage. It depends on the type of show, and what is in for new stage set ups; however the three most common are proscenium, black box, and outdoor theater. Proscenium is the traditional type of theater staging and the most common. 

Black box theater is more intimate, flexible, and usually painted all black. The Stage set up and the audience can be seated on any side. Outdoor theater can be less of an intimate setting, but has been around for centuries. 

There are other stage setups like, in the round theater where  the audience is seated on all sides of the theater and the stage is in the middle and thrust stage is where the stage extends into the audience and they are seated on three sides. 

There is much variety when it comes to different stage setups. These contrasting theaters allow for creative freedom to breathe and  thrive. Live theater has become such a beautiful way for one to express vulnerability, individuality and have the ability and power to bring art to life. 

I know for myself I have felt overwhelmingly privileged to have had all my teen years be filled with performing and being under the stage light. I started acting around six years ago. I started out learning how to stage manage when and took some acting classes.

I learned, and I am continuing to learn, how to do accents, understand stage direction, finding my objectives and character, finding ways to memorize, and my range. 

The first show that I actually auditioned for and got in was, Book of Will, my freshman year at Los Osos. It was such a surreal experience, so allow me to elaborate on what a life in theater can look like!

Auditions can vary. For community shows I would be asked to read a scene or monologue from the show I am auditioning for. However it is always good to know as many monologues from different shows, when auditioning. 

During my experience auditioning for Los Osos usually, Mr. Shorts will put out short monologues or scenes from the show that will be performed. 

Auditioning can be very nerve racking and sometimes terrifying. My first time auditioning I felt my heart beat out of my chest, but with more experience that feeling shortly turned into excitement. 

Being in shows has been a life changing experience for me. In my own opinion, the rehearsal process plays a big part in that. The first two or three days of rehearsal will be a stumble through or a table read. The whole cast will sit in a circle or at a table typically and read through the whole show. 

The rest of rehearsals entail blocking, finding character, and making sure everything is memorized. Blocking at rehearsal is a process where beats, cues, and finding what physically occurs during a scene is constantly practiced. Blocking is the time for understanding the character and what the story is driving for. 

There is much flexibility for inventive character choices and those physical beats as well. 

Tech week is the week actors either dread or love. I personally love tech week, as it just means that the show is opening that week. Tech week is for the technicians to get a feel and understanding of the show. 

Rehearsals and tech weeks can be long and can be hard work. For the shows at Los Osos, rehearsals can go from 3:40-5:45. Tech week can go all the way to 7:00 p.m sometimes. 

For a community show I was in, the rehearsal time was about the same but my tech week would last from 4:30 p.m-11:00 p.m. 

Shows and theater in general can be long hours and can be exhausting, especially depending on what type of material is being performed. 

Rehearsing a character over and over again, learning their lines and understanding what the character wants and needs, an actor can really feel those characters’ emotions and sometimes it can be hard to separate personal emotions from it. 

When performing it is so indescribable. Being able to share the stage with other actors and working together for a live performance to be created with an audience, laughing, crying, curious, engaged and connected with the art, is a feeling almost nothing can top.

Having that connection with the audience alone is what is so beautiful especially in a world full of pain. For an hour or two people come together to sit in a room and emphasize and feel the same feelings. 

Theater deserves more recognition than what is given. The world needs a little more theater.