This is a four part series of posts (this is part one).Click here for the other posts:
https://dramamommaspeaks.com/2016/11/17/dear-dance-student-i-recognize-you-from-a-mile-away/
https://dramamommaspeaks.com/2016/11/12/dear-art-student-i-recognize-you-a-mile-away/
https://dramamommaspeaks.com/2016/11/20/dear-music-student-i-recognize-you-a-mile-away/
I love arts students. They are fun to be around and never fail to entertain you, that’s for sure. Honestly, they are pretty easy to spot. These are generalizations and just for fun, to be honest. I asked for a little help from the people who know–teachers, artists, dancers, musicians and directors. These are just tongue-in-cheek descriptions. Let’s see if you agree with us.
Drama students: (mine)
- are expressive and look for a “stage” everywhere (Our daughter used our front porch, small kitchen between the sink and the stove, the four and a half feet right in front of the television and even performed at the end of our bed.)
- carry their script with them wherever they go and practice any time they can find or even when they are told not to
- girls wear stage makeup as their street makeup, defending it because “It is the BEST quality makeup ever made!”
- everyday clothes are a kind of character–they like to make a statement (it could be a logo from a musical or maybe their current show shirt or a vintage skirt from the fifties)
- perform an audition for you even when there are no auditions ( actors are always “on”)
- speak as different characters, use accents, change their posture and gait to suit the character they are performing at whim
- carry several plays to read whenever they have a chance or even when they are told not to
- speak as different characters, use accents, change their posture and gait to suit the character they are performing at whim
- carry several plays to read whenever they have a chance or even when they are told not to
- lug around character shoes, rehearsal skirts or jackets, pencils, hi-lighters, water bottle
- techies’ pockets carry nails, glow tape, screws, hot glue gun, left over gels for lighting equipment
- clothing is splattered in a recent set’s paint colors and left over saw dust is permanently engraved in the creases of their jeans
- own A LOT of black clothing
- change their hair color several times each year–usually something bright and bold
- many love literature or language arts class (that only makes sense)
- look at themselves in any window reflection or mirror whenever there is an opportunity
- LOVE attention
What is most interesting about arts students is their popularity hierarchy within themselves. If a guy is a tenor and he can sing as high as a female, that makes points for him. The same goes for a girl who can climb a tall ladder and focus a light on a set. If you are first chair violinist, you are popular, too or at the very least, respected. If a guy is a bass singer and he can dance, that’s another biggie. If a girl can tap the heck out of a combination, you are considered “cool”.
However, if you are too serious about your art, the opposite is true. Although revered, your friends may not even think to invite you to social events because they assume you are more interested in dancing or rehearsing than a pizza.
And anyone who is comical or can make everyone laugh automatically accrues popularity points no matter which art form they love.
Like most interests, there is a fine line to balance. What is too much and what is not enough?
I appreciate this hierarchy somewhat, because it makes room for everyone in the arts. This popularity has nothing to do with beauty or brawn. It’s all about talent and hard work. Everyone is an artist if they allow themselves to be. Look for them. You’ll see.
Which art do you enjoy the most? I’d love to hear from you dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net
Purchase my book, Bumbling Bea on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Bumbling-Bea-Deborah-Baldwin/dp/1500390356/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or Bumblingbea.com
Information on this website may be copied for personal use only. No part of this website may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the author. Requests to the author and publisher for permission should be addressed to the following email: dhcbaldwin@gmail.com
