If you think of a theater kid, you probably think of a person who’s wild and energetic, constantly talking about shows and Broadway productions. Their whole playlist is soundtracks from musicals and they are always the center of attention. But do these stereotypes apply to every theater kid out there? Or is it just the die-hard ones? Or are there any at all? 

Me, being a theater kid, I always knew these stereotypes existed. I grew up with my life full of theater and musicals but I never really considered myself as the stereotypical theater kid. Of course, when I’m with the right crowd I can get very energetic and I do love Broadway shows. And I have to admit I constantly talk about the show I’m in right now, but I’ve never loved being the center of attention. Occasionally, I will put on a couple of Broadway songs but I don’t have a set playlist of purely musicals. When I tell people I’m in theater I always get the “Oh, you’re a theater kid” look. It almost looks like they’re disappointed in you and judging you at the same time. It’s something every person in a show or production can relate to. It’s the look that makes you feel very stereotyped and like that person doesn’t really want to get to know you just because you’re a theater kid.

Another stereotype that isn’t really talked about is how theater kids have memorized so many songs in most musicals. Of course, I know a lot of songs but if I play a song from a musical, most of my friends can along with it. To me, that is what a theater kid is. It is not a bad thing at all, but why do people make it out to be annoying?

I know that I don’t have the skill to memorize every lyric, and I know many other people in the theater who don’t either, but even so, we still are stereotyped as annoying overly energetic theater kids. 

However, the main question is not why we’re stereotyped. It’s if the stereotypes are actually true. The answer really depends on the person. After interviewing a friend from my theater, Violet Metoyer, I got some good information about these stereotypes. 

Violet made a good point saying, “I feel like theater kid stereotypes are hurtful and misleading. Sure, some of those things are true for some people but not everyone and they often stop people from making friends just because someone called them a theater kid.” She explains how not all these stereotypes are true and many people find it hard to make friends because of the stereotypes. 

So, really, theater kids shouldn’t be immediately judged based on what they choose to do in their free time. While some do fit more stereotypes, some people fit maybe one or two or even none at all which proves that the theater kid stereotypes are not fully true for everyone.