BWW Blog: Back to School - Why You Should Create Your Own Work in College

Creating your own work while in college can open more doors than you can imagine. That silly idea you have late one night could turn into something incredible and go on to be the start of your career. Ever heard of a little show called In The Heights? Turns out it was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda while he was in college. I know, we're all very busy with our classes and rehearsals and such, but even spending a little time on your own work in your spare time could produce a finished product by the time you graduate. It's also a great way to build connections and find creative partners.

Collaborating with your peers can introduce you to someone who might become a future career partner. There are countless writing duos we all know and love. Pasek and Paul, Kerrigan and Lowdermilk, and who could forget Rodgers and Hammerstein? This isn't just for writers, either. Directors, there have also been iconic director/writer teams that have worked together multiple times. Director Marshall W. Mason directed over 60 plays written by notable playwright Lanford Wilson. Now that is a collaboration for the ages! Working together with your friends can not only bring you together, but also help prepare you for the future. Theatre is intensely collaborative. Even one woman shows have more than one woman behind them!

I personally started working on a project with a friend during my freshman year at college. I'm now starting my fourth year and we're workshopping that project as we speak! After three years of hard work and dedication, we've come up with a product we love and we're excited to show it to our friends and family. In fact, the workshop is just another step in the process. By this time next year our show will be up and running completely independently! I can't even tell you how good it feels to have my own work come to life.

My first degree is an acting degree. Being a director and writer is a completely different experience! I've learned so much about booking rehearsal spaces and venues, working with actors, and the tech side of things. I have a much deeper understanding of the process of creating theatre having been on different sides of it. The biggest lesson I learned is I don't have to force myself to be confined to one career. I can be a writer, a director, an actor, and a producer all at once. I just need to start doing it. After all, experience is the best teacher.

You don't have to wait to start your career. Just because you're in college doesn't mean you can't work on your own projects. Start writing now! Direct a scene on the weekends for fun. Actors, join your friends side projects! Don't wait to create something you love. Don't wait for someone to give you a job. Make one. Produce a show. Raise a bit of money on GoFundMe. Don't let any excuse stop you from creating your own work that fulfills you. If you are passionate enough about it, there will always be a way to bring it to life.