Across cultures, countries, and religions, people are most alike when they are children. The principles of learning and play are universal. Regardless of where you grew up, there is a good chance you sang, invented characters, danced, pretended the ground was hot lava, or told jokes with your friends. When you are a child, you get the opportunity to be messy and have fun with all sorts of creative activities—even if you aren’t good at them. But as you grow up, the emphasis on focus and success trumps playing and performing for the simple joy of it.
Whether you always had a passion for the performing arts—think acting, stand-up comedy, singing, dancing, and even miming—or are simply looking to step outside your comfort zone, it is never too late to adopt a new hobby. Here are some easy ways and quick tips to get started on the stage.
BEHIND THE BENEFITS
The mental and emotional benefits of the arts are plenty. Creative activities can help you combat social anxiety, introduce you to like-minded people, and build confidence. Attending or participating in one art-related event per month has proven to be a boon for cognitive function. Renée Phillips is the founder of The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS (HPPA), an initiative of Manhattan Arts International. On the organization’s website (www.healing-power-of-art.org), Phillips notes, “There is an increasing amount of scientific evidence that proves art enhances brain function. It has an impact on brain wave patterns and emotions, the nervous system, and can actually raise serotonin levels. Art can change a person’s outlook and the way they experience the world.”
CENTER STAGE
Ready to get started? You shouldn’t have to go far to get plugged into a creative network. Start with the basics and take a class at a local college, community center, or studio. If you are a beginner, a class is an ideal outlet. It will help you develop artistic building blocks alongside other entry-level students. Turn to community theater on small and large scales. Perhaps your neighborhood organization hosts seasonal plays or your local school district needs choral volunteers. Seek open-mic nights at local eateries. Find out if there is a performing arts center in your area; the staff should be able to provide you with a host of resources.
Of course, you can find resources for almost anything online. If you live in a remote locale with few options, sites such as Discover a Hobby will help you narrow your interests. Social sites such as Meetup aim to connect you with people who share a specific interest. Perhaps you use Meetups as an impetus to cocreate or simply garner connections. In-person get-togethers not an option? You can find a host of Facebook groups for all fields.
CAREER ORIENTED
Online exposure and the connections that come from it have led to a whole new world of career opportunities. When you are ready to put your craft out to the masses, turn to sharing sites such as YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and TikTok (formerly known as musical.ly). Whether you post videos and audio files for fun or in hopes of being discovered, you are likely to find joy in the process.
Ultimately, you don’t have to call yourself an artist to do something creative. In As You Like It, Shakespeare wrote “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players.” Take the cue—it’s time to play.
