If you’ve never set foot on stage, you’re really missing out. Acting can be one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling experiences for people young and old. It’s never too late to get involved in theater, and you can do it at any skill level. Whether you were active in your high school drama club, had formal training in theater acting, or only enjoy live theater from the audience, there’s a place for you in your local theater community. Here are just a few of the many reasons why you should give theater acting a shot!

Build connections

One of the biggest reasons to become part of your local acting scene is to make friends and connections in your community. Not only do you get to meet new, like-minded people, but you’ll learn about teamwork in a way you don’t in an office or school setting. On stage, you rely on your fellow actors to set you up for your next line or to improvise with you when things go awry. This type of teamwork will not only help you in acting, but in your career and social life as well. It will also teach you about how to communicate more effectively with others.

Increase confidence

Another great reason to consider theater acting is to increase your confidence in yourself, whether that be in your body or your voice. You will learn about how to make eye contact, use your body language to get a message across, and techniques for decreasing stress when speaking to an audience – something we can all use in everyday life, as many people suffer from fear of public speaking. You’ll also likely make a mistake or two along the way, but it’s important to know that one mess-up doesn’t ruin the whole performance. When you learn how to cope with a mistake and think on your feet to come back from it, you’ll become more confident in your ability to handle your missteps in other areas of life. Whether you’re the main character in a play or prefer to take a back-stage role, you’ll have a vital role in the creation of a piece of art, and that, if nothing else, instills a feeling of self-worth and accomplishment.

Improve your career

When acting, you learn how to cope with everyday situations, such as improvising when things don’t go as planned. As mentioned, you can also improve your ability to speak with confidence, communicate more effectively, and use your body language to get your message across. This can be extremely helpful in your career, especially when you’re interviewing for that new job or when you’re working in a field such as sales, where you need to be dynamic and personable. Your confidence in your ability to do the job right needs to come across in your interview and with potential clients, and being afraid of eye contact, a strong handshake, or projecting your voice will make you seem insecure and incapable. Getting involved in acting can also open up new job and volunteer opportunities, like dressing up like a character for children’s parties or speaking at an event. If I was looking to hire actors near me for my next event, I would turn to my local theater scene for experienced individuals.