How Theater Lessons Teach You To Think On Your Feet

How many times in your life have you wished you were a faster or more decisive thinker? In life, we have to make quick decisions, but we don’t always feel capable of doing that. How can you change that? Try a theater lesson to learn how to think on your feet.

In addition to its many other benefits , theater is also one of the best activities to train you how to make quick decisions. In theater, you never know for sure what’s coming next, even when you have a script. Believe it or not, even professional actors drop their lines, move across the stage incorrectly, or generally slip up on stage in front of an audience from time to time.

As an actor, you have to be prepared to fix any mistake you or your scene partners make on stage. Here’s an example. Actor A forgets their line, “Let’s go to the supermarket.” Actor B has choices. Option One: Actor B could stand there and stare at Actor A and will them to remember it. That probably won’t work, and it will create a long, awkward pause that the audience will notice. So let’s skip this option. Option Two: Actor B could whisper Actor A’s line to them and then have Actor A say it. That looks very unprofessional and reveals to the audience that Actor A messed up. We don’t want to embarrass our partner and the quality of our production, so this option is out. Option Three: Actor B could improvise a line to say to remind Actor A of their line. In this case, Actor B could say, “Do you think we should go to the supermarket?” and get the scene back on track. But Actor B has to think fast to make that happen before the audience realizes a mistake has been made!

We have to prepare for this ahead of time by first getting used to thinking quickly offstage. In theater class, we’ll practice this skill in some capacity each class. As we work through our interactive exercises, you’ll be encouraged to make quick decisions about character, movements, and situations. But don’t worry, it won’t be scary. We understand that this is a skill that has to be developed, and it can be intimidating when you first try it. Fox Music Showtime is a positive and uplifting community that will help you grow as an actor without fear of judgement. We’ll encourage you to come up with ideas on your own, but if you’re having a hard time, your teachers and classmates will help you. Then, over time, you’ll start to develop this skill and be able to do it on your own.

But remember, it takes practice over an extended period of time. Each class, we’ll use these skills in a variety of exciting activities. That’s why theater lessons are a great place to start. The more theater lessons you attend, the stronger your skills will grow. So don’t wait! Schedule a free class trial with Fox Music Showtime today to get started.