On and Off Campus Blog: On Acting and the Art of Stepping Forward
By: Ellis Wee ‘27
Last Friday, I was joined by seven other students to see the Actor’s Shakespeare Project’s production of Macbeth. The play twisted the traditional setting of Medieval Scotland into a play depicting the aftereffects of the Cold War. It was truly a captivating show, and I am incredibly thankful for having the opportunity to enjoy it.
As I drove home that night, I came to the realization of how much I have changed since I first walked into the Intro to Acting and Directing class my freshman year. Of all the arts I could have taken my freshman year, acting had been my last choice. Just being new to BB&N, it already felt daunting to stand up in front of my class during a Spanish presentation, so the thought of standing on stage and being vulnerable in front of my peers seemed even worse. Yet, somewhere along the way I started to love it.
Looking back, a mix of things led me to join the cast of Lear, including tearing my ACL my freshman winter, being put into my last choice of art, and my parents suggesting I try stage crew. But in the end, what made me stay was the environment. Compassion, enthusiasm, and laughter seemed to come in abundance in the theater department. I couldn’t help but be swept up in it.
However, learning to become more comfortable and to step out took time. But it was through watching my castmates shine, and the passion and encouragement from our theater director, Mr. MacDonald, that I began taking small steps forward. I started to push myself outside the theater too, waving to teachers, talking more with classmates, and just trying to be more open. The stage that once terrified me became a place to escape, to take a break from schoolwork, and to just be myself.
This Friday reminded me how far I’ve come since then. I looked back not only on how I have grown but also on how acting has changed the way I interact with people. It has made me a more compassionate and curious person. I’ve learned to embrace my mistakes, to laugh at them instead of hiding from them.
I’ve also realized how powerful it is to tell someone else’s story. To be able to stand in someone else’s shoes, even for a moment, makes you see the world differently. You start to understand people more deeply, to listen before judging, and to care.
So, as I left the theater that night, I thought about how acting has shaped me into someone bolder than before. It has reminded me to take risks, to stay curious, and to keep stepping forward even when I’m unsure. Because you can never predict what the future holds, the discoveries you may make, or the people you might encounter along the journey.
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