Come on, let’s be honest – at more than one point in our lives, we’ve all considered dropping everything, moving to Hollywood, and getting the big break that propels us to riches and fame.

But we’re too “busy”, it’s “too hard”, we “could do it, just maybe a bit later”. Enter amateur theatre and drama – shows written, directed, performed and run by students with either far too much time on their hands, a story to tell, or a combination of the two. This is where the Hemsworths, Robbies and DiCaprios all started their careers, made mistakes, and built themselves into the superstars and multi-millionaires they are today. Better yet, it’s where the new generation of show biz stars are coming from, just waiting for the world to recognise their talent.

It’s in these theatres that commerce students experiment with gender roles, arts students discuss the intricacies of Victorian-era politics, science students create social chemistry, and law students don’t talk about the law for once (ideally, but not always).

Regardless of the faculty you’re from, amateur theatre gives you the skills you need to succeed in your everyday lives.

Get That Confidence

Let’s start with the most obvious benefit: amateur theatre teaches you how to carry yourself appropriately and look good. And not just physically. Sure, anybody can put on a suit, wear some makeup, and stand tall, but theatre demands more than that. You need to be fearless on stage, moving and speaking in ways you never thought you could. You need to be dramatic, speak up, and above all else, embrace the faults of your character to put on a good performance. The less self-conscious you are on stage, the better, and eventually this open nature will become a part of your personality!

Naturally, in daily life you will find your stance shifting to suit your newfound assured persona. Your choice of colour and clothing will become more daring as you don’t care what others think and do you. You will command an aura of confidence that draws others to you, and you will realize why the world loves tenacious, fearless people – because they go out and get shit done. It’s that simple. Audition for your drama society’s next play and just watch your confidence increase.

Elocution (Or, Saying Things Good)

Imagine every moment of your life being perfectly scripted, delivered and reacted to just the way you wanted. No awkward pauses, loss for words, or comebacks thought of way too late. That’s theatre!

Scriptwriters work tirelessly to make sure their dialogue is just right, and this translates into their daily lives as well.

A word of advice – spend as much time as you can with a writer. Ever been stuck on an essay because the wording is too simple and your thesaurus isn’t helping? Talk to a writer. Couldn’t find the right word to finish that joke you thought of yourself? Talk to a writer. Need a romantic line, sonnet, or story at quick notice to save your relationship? Talk to a writer.

They know how to sound funny, serious and persuasive all at the same time; to get that job or impress that person at the bar, those skills are essential for your arsenal. Find your drama society on campus, speak to a scriptwriter, and improve your speech exponentially.

Know How To Improvise

When lines are forgotten, cues missed, lights burst or an actor goes missing, there is no option but to improvise your way out. This is where quick-thinking skills come into play – the show must go on, after all. And just as the show goes on, so too do those exams we forgot to study for or the conversations with strangers on public transport.

Do yourself a favour, join your local theatre troupe. You’ll be able to convincingly work your way out of any tight situation with ease.

Ultimately, theatre has a role for everyone, even if they don’t know it. No matter the discipline, there is so much to learn. But above all else, amateur theatre is just plain old fun. Be OK with making mistakes, meeting people who you wouldn’t otherwise normally meet, and getting out of your comfort zone. 

(Lead image: Glee/FOX)