Artistic Statement
The Magic of Theatre
By: Phoebe Lynn Adams
How does one capture who they are as an artist in 1-2 pages? Truthfully, I’m not sure. What I am sure of, however, is that theatre is my calling. Whether I am performing, directing, or doing tech for a show, theatre is what I need to do.
As a performer, I am constantly working to better myself. I am always looking to learn, try new things, and most importantly, grow. As someone that was not born with bundles of theatrical talent, this has been my mindset since the beginning of my theatrical career. I am always looking for ways to better myself as an actor, singer, dancer, and storyteller. Because of this, I have continued to blossom into the artist I am today. I have become an actor that works to completely shapeshift myself into whatever role I take on. I have become a singer that uses my voice to tell a story that words don’t do justice. I have become a dancer that focuses on the story I am telling by moving across a stage. Because of this mindset, I have become a theatrical professional. This is important because I understand the value of hard work. I understand that theatre only happens because of the hard work of many people. As an actor, I am one small part of what makes theatre magical. Understanding this has turned me into the theatrical professional that I am proud to be.
One of my favorite quotes is “people work with people that they WANT to work with.” This idea has stuck with me for a few years and has massively contributed to how I conduct myself as a person. It has reminded me of the importance of being a kind, loving, and supportive human. Because of this quote, I aim to make every theatrical space I am in better than it was before I got there. How do I do this? I support my cast mates and celebrate them through mistakes and triumphs. I thank the directing team for feedback they have on my performance to make sure they know I understand and respect their opinion. I check in with the stage management team to make sure I am fulfilling my responsibilities. The most important thing I do? I say, “thank you.” As I said previously, theatre cannot happen without the hard work of many individuals. Because I have participated in theatre in many different ways, I realize the work that goes on that nobody sees. Because of this, I always make sure to thank people for the hours of hard work they put into a production. This, to me, is the most important thing I do as an artist. It not only celebrates the work of everyone around me, but it also allows me to connect with the many incredibly talented individuals that make theatre what it is: magic.
As a professional, I hope that I accomplish many things in my career. I hope that I can create characters that audience members can connect with. I hope to perform in such a way that people feel safe to laugh, cry, and smile while I’m on-stage. I hope that I can give a performance that people think about after the show is over. Above all else, I hope that I will make a difference in the world through performing. As someone that has been doing theatre for years, I have been lucky to experience performances that have changed my life. If I can do that for even one person, everything I have worked for will become instantly worth it.