A Crazy Schedule of a Theatre Major

By Bertha Cuellar, 7 October 2022After two years of cancelled performances and lost experiences, a new love for theatre and Broadway has grown in communities worldwide. While performances range from small community theatre productions to world-renowned musicals such as Hamilton, people have grown a love for theatre no matter what the size, and sold-out productions are now the norm.

With the rise of production sales and long show weekends, the schedules of thespians and cast members raise interest more now than ever before. Both the actors and the production team, while putting shows together and making things happen, are confronted with a back-to-back schedule.

From running rehearsals to set building to costume shop, thespians of all concentrations find themselves in a hectic schedule in preparation for their productions. This does not include the time they need or want for their other hobbies, their families, or their other personal commitments. Those watching their productions can easily overlook their schedules and level of commitment.

Young thespians pursuing careers in college are often asked how they handle their schedule. Theatre undergraduate students at Vanguard University must stay on top of their G.E. classes, attend rehearsal, attend theatre classes, and carry other responsibilities outside of their college experience.

In an interview with Jenna Lockwood, current musical theatre major at VU, she gives us some insight on what the crazy schedule of a theatre student can look like. Lockwood was previously a stage manager in charge of an entire show run and cast. She is also part of the marketing team, where she edits and films promo videos, full performance and any videography production.

“So, the theatre schedule is very hectic. Typically, I have classes starting at 8 am and go until 2:15 or on some days 4:30, then I eat and run to rehearsal that typically began at 5 and ran until 11 pm. I would do that every day and sometimes we would have rehearsals on the weekends,” says Lockwood.

With all the responsibilities of a theatre major, time management is of huge importance to not get burnt out.

“Well not even thinking about classes and extra things I am a part of, rehearsals alone are about 25 hours a week. This includes Saturdays. When you add classes and all the homework and exams, it’s hard to find times to study and do homework. Of course, I wouldn’t change a thing about being a theatre major, but it is a lot of work at managing schedules while also making sure you are taking care of yourself and your mental health,” says Lockwood.

Nonetheless, many thespians have outwardly shared their love for what they do, and that even with all their responsibilities, they would not change anything. Their passion for what they do not only helps them through the tough situations, but also leads them to build long lasting relationships and memories.

“All my friends are on the same page with the crazy schedule. Some of my friends were in 4/5 of the shows this year and that can be a lot of overlapping of schedules. We all are very supportive of each other and are always making sure everyone is doing ok. I don’t think I would be able to survive this schedule and the craziness if I didn’t have those friends by my side the whole time.”