I think the value of art is that it teaches us how to navigate this complex and nuanced experience called life. Broadway is no exception.
Whether it’s an emotional drama, a hilarious comedy, or a whimsical musical, Broadway performances (and theater in general) are all about being human—from broken hearts and personal demons to the joys of friendship and the comedy inherent to every family, even the disturbed ones (looking at you August: Osage County).
And, on a lighter note, let’s face it: sometimes life needs a little Broadway razzle-dazzle. Either way, there is so much that Broadway teaches us about our lives, the lives of others, and the crazy world that surrounds us.
Here are five ways the magic of Broadway can actually upgrade your everyday grind:
1. Confidence Is a Costume—Wear It
Ever see someone walk onstage with total presence, and the whole room goes silent? Yeah, that’s stage energy. But here’s the thing: most of them were nervous wrecks backstage. Performers are actual human beings, just like you and me. They get scared. They have anxiety. They doubt themselves. Just like us.
But actors fake it till they make it because they’re professionals. You can, too. Whether you’re walking into a job interview, a first date, or the DMV, channel your inner Jean Valjean. Shoulders back. Eyes up. Pretend you’re the lead. Eventually, you might even believe it. And when you do, you can reap the rewards. When that time comes, take a bow. You earned it.
2. Rehearsal Makes the Moment
Great performances aren’t winged, they’re rehearsed. Again. And again. And again. Your football or basketball coach may have given you similar advice: you play like you practice and you practice like you play. The same principle applies to Broadway and your own life.
So when life throws you a big moment—giving a toast, asking for a raise, pitching your genius app idea—practice it. Out loud. In the mirror. On your dog. Broadway reminds us that the best stuff looks effortless because it isn’t. Do the work. It’s worth it.
Even if you’re playing the role of a dead guy. (Freaking loved Dead Outlaw, really bummed it’s closing June 29.)
3. Cue the Ensemble
No hero goes it alone. Behind every Elphaba hitting those high notes is an ensemble making the whole thing feel alive. If you’ve ever watched a thank you speech at the Tony Awards, you know this. For Broadway performers, it’s all about the team—which includes everyone from the makeup artists and casting directors to the light technicians and the ushers that hand you a Playbill and point you to your seats.
In real life, your “ensemble” might be your roommates, your coworkers, or your friends who Venmo you pizza money when rent hits. Or it may be your family. (Or it may not be your family, in which case you should consider becoming a playwright, because dysfunctional families are excellent source material for engaging plots and characters. Looking at you again, August: Osage County).) Broadway reminds us to give credit, lean on people, and realize that even a solo is stronger with backup. This is a good thing to remember as you go through life.
4. Be Willing to Take a Bow (and Then Move On)
Broadway teaches us to celebrate the moment. Standing ovations are great, but the curtain always comes down. Everything in life is impermanent and eventually comes to an end. As the saying goes, we’re all just walking each other home (quote by Ram Dass). The curtain spares no one. Impermanence gives us all meaning, and Broadway is about that meaning, both as a collective human experience and as an individual journey that is unique to you alone.
Whether you nailed a presentation, crushed a workout, or finally finished a side project, take a second to acknowledge it. Applaud yourself. Then step offstage and get ready for Act II. Because our lives are the greatest show of all. You are the main character in your life, and every worthwhile character finds their share of trouble and triumph along the way. But to experience those moments you have to keep moving forward. Your curtain will fall when fate decides it’s time. Until then play, act, and sing your ass off.
5. Every Day Deserves a Showstopper
Yes, most of life is a Tuesday matinee. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make space for showstopping moments. We may not be able to control everything that happens in our lives, but it’s important to focus on what we can control. Thankfully, creating our own showstopping moments at any given time on any given day is within our human capacity. Even if it’s making faces in the mirror as you brush your teeth. Broadway teaches us that human expression is core to our human experience, and expressing yourself can be done in front of an audience or with no one around other than your own self-awareness.
One of my favorite adages is:
“Millions long for immortality who don’t know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon.” — Susan Ertz
The banality of life is what holds it all together, but make sure you don’t suffocate in it. Broadway teaches us the power of creativity, dramatization, and spontaneity. Buy flowers, big ones, like sunflowers, for no reason and stick them in a vase on your dinner table. Sing out loud in the car at that stoplight, and nod to anyone who sees you. Dress up for your dinner reservation even if it’s just Olive Garden. Broadway doesn’t ask permission to be big, bold, and unforgettable. Maybe you shouldn’t either.
Final Curtain Call
You don’t have to belt a ballad from a fire escape or leap into a jazz square to benefit from the many ways Broadway can shape your daily life. Whether you’re a lifelong theater nerd or a bro who just got dragged to Wicked and unexpectedly loved it, there’s a lot more to take home from Broadway than just a Playbill and an overpriced cocktail.
Broadway isn’t just for the theater. It’s a mindset—a reminder that you can live a little louder, love a little harder, and maybe tap dance through the mess now and then.
So go ahead, bro. Make your life a musical. Just try not to break into song at the gym. Unless it’s Hamilton. Everyone will understand.