Why are you passionate about theater?

Question

Diving into the vibrant world of theater, we've gathered insights from CEOs and managing directors to understand their passion for the stage. From the enchanting magic of live performance to the theater as a precious analog escape, explore the seven heartfelt responses that illuminate the allure of theater.

EMILY MAGUIRE · Answer

I used to work as a theater actor, and I have always loved the energy that comes with performing in front of a live audience. However, now I work as a talent manager for actors, where I help others follow their dreams. Whether it's a movie or a theater performance, there is something truly magical about the way theater can captivate an audience and take them on an emotional journey. The sets, the acting, and the singing all come together to create an immersive experience that transports the audience into a world away from their daily routines and troubles. Theater provides the audience with a platform for introspection and emotional expression.

Agata Szczepanek · Answer

Theater gives me a unique platform for both escapism and emotional catharsis. Watching a play, I feel as if I have been transported into another world. I can disconnect from my everyday life and experience something entirely different by stepping into the shoes of diverse characters and immersing myself in their stories. Thanks to that, I can also gain a deeper understanding of perspectives different from my own and delve into the complexities of human emotions. It has a therapeutic effect on me.What I also love about theater is how it teaches me to be focused and present in the moment. In a world filled with constant connectivity and distractions, it becomes my technology-free space where all that matters is the play, my emotions, and the beauty of artistic expression. Watching a powerful performance in a theater setting, I laugh and cry, feeling emotionally released afterward.

Kate Kandefer · Answer

Theater is a demanding art form, both for the performer and the viewer. You don't get to pause it and come back, and you need to give it your undivided attention to get the most out of it. This is at odds with the on-demand trajectory of other facets of our lives, yet one that I think is extremely important for being a well-rounded person. You get a totally different experience from the theater than you do from watching a movie or something on Netflix, as it forces you to engage with the actors on stage to a degree that I find difficult to replicate otherwise.

Dragos Badea · Answer

The sheer spectacle of it! Where else can you see something like that over the course of a few hours? These are extremely highly skilled individuals who have been honing their craft for years and rehearsing for months, putting on a show that does not allow for mistakes or redos—they must be perfect, and usually, they are! The energy and passion that is conveyed from a stage performance is just head and shoulders above what you can get from the screen.

Danilo Miranda · Answer

I started being passionate about theater during my high school years, when most of my really close friends were doing theater with me. I had performed in plays and things, but the theater was the place where I felt like I belonged. It was a place where I was accepted no matter what. Although I didn’t pursue it as a profession, my heart still stays in the theater. Even with a busy schedule as an entrepreneur, I still find ways to go to the theater to watch, as I love the feeling that I’m actually connected to it. Seeing a story performed by real people in the same room as me just draws me in and makes me feel invested to the extent that watching something on a screen does not. I also love how imperfect and authentic it feels compared to recorded media. There aren’t multiple takes; there aren’t any fancy post-production effects; and there isn’t any stepping aside while performing to make sure you’re living up to the director’s standard. I don’t know—I find that live theater feels natural and relatable in a way that most forms of media don’t.

Brandon Beatty · Answer

Theater is a form of art that has always captivated me. From the moment I stepped into my first theater performance, I was hooked. The combination of storytelling, music, dance, and visual effects all coming together on one stage to create a unique experience is truly magical. But what really drew me in and kept me passionate about theater is its ability to evoke emotions and spark imagination. As an audience member, I have laughed, cried, felt anger and joy, and even been transported to other worlds through the power of theater. It has the ability to make me think, question my beliefs, and see things from a different perspective. Theater also brings people together. Whether it's watching a performance with friends or being part of a production, the sense of community and camaraderie is unparalleled. The collaborative nature of theater, where actors, directors, designers, and crew members all work together towards a common goal, is truly inspiring.

Onno Halsema · Answer

We spend far too little time interacting with the real world, caught as we are in an increasingly digital environment. Theater is a throwback to a slightly slower time, where you can sit and enjoy a play for a few hours without any sort of screen time, advertisements, or demands on your attention. These sorts of offline, analog activities seem to be all the more precious these days for their scarcity, and I, for one, hope that theater continues to be popular with every generation in perpetuity, as without it, I fear we will lose a big part of our society.

Why Are You Passionate About Theater?