Don't Feel Obliged to Do Anything Theatre-Related Right Now

• Carla Delgado

Theatre is the art of live performance, but due to this pandemic, the avenue has temporarily shifted from onstage to online. Various theatre companies all around the globe streamed their shows and/or uploaded them in the public domain, which made it appeal to a greater audience.

Those who were previously uninterested in theatre are beginning to appreciate the art, and it’s great! The more people in the theatre community, the better. There’s lots of appreciation for the craft to go around.

During this time, technology has allowed many theatre artists to showcase their talent on a different platform, but it is not without limitations. Some may argue that the streaming of shows and uploading of full-length productions has made theatre more accessible.

Although that is true to some extent, it remains inaccessible to a large group of people, mainly those without the privilege of an internet connection.

Aside from shows being easily available to the general public, many webinars, round table discussions, and workshops about the different aspects of theatre are also held. They provide more insight into the work that goes on offstage, appealing to both fans and theatre practitioners alike.

With mostly everything within a hand’s reach during this pandemic, it has led some people to feel pressured to constantly do something related to theatre every day.

Seeing colleagues and/or fellow theatre fans constantly doing script-reading with friends or having watch parties of shows somehow bring that pressure. Being someone with a career in theatre and/or passion for it, there’s almost that obligation to do the same, otherwise, you’d be a “fake fan” or it would mean your passion is less real than theirs.

There is one thing we must remind ourselves – we’re not obliged to partake in any of that. Don’t feel pressured to keep doing something related to theatre for any reason at all. Some people feel like they have to use their free time to constantly reinvent themselves or further their craft.

The thing is, we’re all still going through a global health crisis. We need to go easy on ourselves, especially during this time. The passion is just as real and strong even if we choose to do other activities.

If you don’t feel like getting things done, it’s perfectly okay. We don’t always have to be productive. It’s fine if theatre involvement is how other people cope with the roller coaster of global events, but it’s also fine if you choose to seek respite in other ways.

Members of the theatre community don’t have to keep up with every single upload of shows, and those who do don’t automatically have ascendancy over those who didn’t.

At this time, we need to focus on taking care of ourselves – physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s okay to concentrate on your health. Theatre will always be waiting for you when you’re ready for it.