How Studying Theater Improved My Writing

From a young age, I have been captivated by the mesmerizing power of storytelling, especially in the theater. I vividly recall being only seven years old and watching my first Broadway show, marveling at how the performers could captivate the audience and transport them to different worlds. I remember thinking to myself, "How did they do that? How did they take everyone’s breath away?" In that moment, I made a firm decision that I wanted to be a part of that world. And so, for the next 25 years, I dedicated myself to learning every aspect of the theater, from the smallest detail to the grandest spectacle, all with the goal of becoming a master storyteller.

I believe that stories can teach us valuable life lessons and foster deeper connections with others. Perhaps that's why I ended up writing for children. Or maybe it's because there's a performative quality to writing, and having a background in theater made the transition from actor to children’s author feel like second nature. The skills I acquired as a performer are the same ones I utilize every time I put on my writer's hat to craft a new children’s story, and the most essential skill I’m referring to is the act of embodying a character. As a children's author, it's crucial for me to develop characters that are interesting, engaging, and relatable to young readers. Drawing on skills learned in the theater helps me infuse an atmosphere of fun and play into the process - another essential quality for children’s stories. By getting up and putting on a mini-play in the voice of a new character, I can create multi-dimensional layers and establish the world of the story with their own unique personalities, quirks, and motivations. 

So, what does this mean for me as a writer in practical terms? Well, it's quite simple: I have to get 'on stage' every day (my stage being my home). I get up, move around, and become someone else. I become the character I intend to write, and I listen to what they have to say by allowing them to move through me, which makes writing fun! And why not have fun at work? 

If you're a writer feeling stuck on the page, give acting a try. It can be a powerful technique to break through creative blocks and gain new insights into your characters.

Here are a few ways to start:

• Put on a costume: Take a look at what you have lying around that your character could potentially wear, and consider how this guise makes you feel. How does it change your body and the way you move? Embodying a character through physicality can bring a new dimension to your writing, helping to understand how their external appearance influences their behavior, emotions, and interactions with the world around them.

• Talk: Talk to yourself in the voice of your character. Converse with the walls, your pet, or your plants and pay attention to when you instinctively hit upon a moment of authenticity. Notice how speaking as your character changes the way you communicate and how it feels in your body. This can help you bring a sense of realism and depth to your writing.

• Take a walk: In the comfort of your home, put on your imagination glasses and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of your story. Envision what it looks and feels like, and imagine what it takes for your character to get from point A to point B in the imagined world of your story.

• Embrace the weird: Acting is strange business, and so is writing. You may be crafting a world unlike anything anyone has ever seen before, or writing about a world you know all too well. As a writer, you're creating something that a total stranger will read, and to truly transport them, you need to do so clearly. This requires feeling comfortable with the world you're establishing, so embrace the kooky side of yourself.

• Create a writing ensemble: Just as actors work together in an ensemble in theater, gathering a group of fellow writers to work with can infuse new life into your writing and provide valuable feedback.