Balancing School and the Stage
Here at Tufts, I am part of two student theater groups: Torn Ticket II and Tufts 3Ps. I’ve been doing theater since I was very young, and I knew that I wanted to continue doing theater in college, but I also knew it would be a big time commitment. If you, too, are interested in pursuing theater at Tufts, whether as a major or just as a hobby, here are my tips for balancing school and the stage:
1. Choose your level of involvement wisely
At Tufts, much of our theater is student-run, meaning that students are actors, lighting designers, directors, stage managers, and more. If you want to get involved but know you have a busy semester, consider opting for a role with a lower commitment level.
2. Choose your show wisely
We have many different types of shows at Tufts. We have mainstage productions, workshop productions, and even a 24-hour musical. A mainstage production is a longer, more full-scale production, and is a larger time commitment. A workshop is a smaller-scale production that has a shorter rehearsal schedule and is a lesser time commitment. Our 24-hour musical is exactly what it sounds like: a musical you put on in 24 hours. The actors don't even know what the show is until they show up on the day! Some semesters, I have the bandwidth and the time to do a mainstage production, whereas other semesters, a workshop production is what is best for me. We also have theater classes that have performances, which can be nice because it’s built into your academic schedule.
3. Do homework when you have breaks at rehearsal
When I have a break at rehearsal, I am often doing homework. This helps me feel like I am still getting things done, even if it’s just sending an email or two.
4. Let your director(s)/professors know if you need support
If you were up late rehearsing one night or have a test you need to study for, it’s totally ok to ask your professors for help or an extension, or to ask your director(s) for a night off or to come in late. You cannot do your best work as a student or a theater person if you are burnt out.
5. Theater should be fun!
I know this is an obvious statement, but at the end of the day, theater shouldn’t feel like a chore; it should be something you enjoy. Of course, there are times when it doesn’t feel that way, but I find that reminding myself that I do love this thing I spend so much time doing, honestly, really helps. Remind yourself why you’re there, and why you care.
Doing theater at Tufts has been one of my favorite parts of my college experience. While it can sometimes feel exhausting, there is truly no better feeling than watching a show come together. Doing theater at Tufts and balancing your academics (and life as a whole!) is 100% possible, you just need to listen to yourself and your needs.
*Feature photo credit to Dominic Matos