In the famous soliloquy from William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, the character Jacques coins the immortal words: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players”. As a performer, I have thought a lot about those words.
As a performer, I strive for greatness. As a Christian, I strive to live like Christ. So what happens when the two collide? Working in and with local community theatres, I have encountered a great many people with a great many different beliefs. Many of them, I have spent quite a bit of time with. Acting and performing in general is not a profession that just lends itself to Christianity. Look at Hollywood, look at Broadway, look at the very sitcoms we watch on TV every night. Not very many popular family themed shows. Not very many popular family-themed performers.
In a sermon that I heard once, the preacher said that as Christians, we should live our lives in a way that it is evident that we have something different, something special. I was recently asked if I was an actor. Without thinking, I immediately replied that yes, I consider myself an actor. But then I thought about it. Aren’t we all acting? None of us are completely ourselves, all the time, are we? We’re too afraid of offending someone. Ephesians 5:1-2 says “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Over the past years, Christianity, Christ, and God have been getting cut out of a lot of things, often being deemed “politically incorrect”. I believe a lot of Christians have just accepted that and started blending into the world, living the same lives as someone who’s not a Christian. I don’t agree with that. Matthew 5:16 says “Let your light shine among men that they may see your good works and praise our Father in Heaven.” I believe that as Christians, we shouldn’t care what other people think about us, if we’re considered “incorrect” or “weird”. A very wise man said once “I’ve seen normal, and I wasn’t impressed”.
It’s my opinion that all performances, whether it be dance, song, Neil Simon’s Fools, or William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, all of them convey some sort of message. Let your light shine. All the world is a stage, and it’s your stage. I’m not telling you anything. I’m simply stating my opinion, and asking you to ask yourself some questions.
Whose life are you leading?
In what way are you affecting other people’s lives?
What’s the message you’re conveying?