Get In On Humility, or Get Out of the Theatre
Written By: Ryleigh Andersen
What comes to mind when you think of “the stage”?
I can tell you: the first thing I see in my mind’s eye is one person, center stage, with the spotlight on them, and the rest of the house is dark.
However, when I think of actual stage experiences I’ve had, where I’ve truly had the time of my life: I see myself, on the floor, with the rest of the company next to me singing “With an F and an R and an E and a D, and an F-R-E-D Fred!”
Or, when you think of the stage as an audience member, you may think of that one star ripping a power ballad. But when you really think of what makes the show stand out, it’s usually the strong choreography, gripping chemistry, or engaging lights, set, and writing.
What truly makes a show so memorable is not the part, but the whole.
I don’t care WHO you are.
At STAND, as we pair creativity with the Creator, I want us to remember this: “...whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many,” (Matthew 20:26b-28 ESV).
That’s some strong language there! “Ransom”? “Slave”?! Here’s the gist for your 2026 brain: to be fulfilled is not to chase stardom– not to chase principal role after principal role. Instead, it is to serve the greater purpose. Serving the greater vision to bring the story and artistic vision to life. That might mean giving your all in a part you didn’t expect, or cheering others on that you think don’t “deserve” the big part (I know you’ve thought it). Or, with that principal role, not making it all about your spotlight, but deciding to serve the good of company with that revered position.
Serving and humility is not about making yourself less than–it’s about having an accurate gauge on your worth and purpose. I know you think you deserved that award, or that role, or that spot. I know it’s hard. But the truth is, it is usually not your place to entitle yourself with the “what-ifs”, if you are NOT the one in charge! As creatives, and believers, we are called to trust each other and trust the process. And if something feels icky, get out–but don’t put others down about it.
You know what? You probably did equally deserve that spot. You probably did equally deserve that role. But it AIN’T. YOUR. JOB. To decide that. And if you can’t get in on that accurate gauge of your purpose in that process, not only will you continue to be miserable in the theatre, you will make others around you miserable as well!
So get in on humility–or get out of the theatre.
-Sincerely, your future self and literally everyone else you’ll do a show with and anyone you’ll interact with in life.
