Relating Theatre to my Major

I think of all the courses that I have taken in my college experience; I find that theater is probably the one that relates to real life the most. Because, what is life but just a charade? From the time we are cognitive to the time we die, life is nothing but a charade and a popularity contest. The ability to be a good actor is a key factor in life, from being able to lie convincingly to your family and friends, to being able to make yourself appear better than you really are to a potential employer so you can eliminate the competition. It was quoted in a film that to be a good spy, all you have to do is be a good actor. Find the best actor in the world and you’ve got the most hard to detect spy in the world. Being so involved and entwined in everyday life, in no doubt what so ever does theater have a major connection to my major. My major is a Bachelor of Science degree in applied physics; specifically in the field of electro-optics. Theater relates directly to an applied physics electro optics degree in both a literal and physical sense as well as a spiritual and holistic nature. In the physical state, electro optics is a major factor in the world of modern stage production. Stage performances would not have advanced much beyond the days of William Shakespeare if it were not for electro optics. For it was electricity that made plays indoors a feasible reality. Now, with the advent of electricity, a play could be performed in the dead of night during winter months in an enclosed auditorium, safe and away from the hostile elements of the outdoors. No longer did you have to burn polluting oil lamps that provided very little and very inconsistent lighting. Now the stage could be dressed and decorated as it would be outdoors. The whole theater experience changed with the application of electrical lighting. The mood could be set and changed just at the flick of a switch. Color gels could be applied over electric spot lights to create atmosphere. Atmosphere could change with the speed and rhythm of the delivery of an actor’s lines. Yes, the world of theater has much to thank the world of electro optics for. From Benjamin Franklin, to George Westinghouse, to Nikola Tesla, the world of theater has been forever changed by the work of these great pioneers of science. From a spiritual and holistic standpoint, the world of electro optics has much to thank theater for. There has been much drama in the world of applied science and without theater there to help express and define the actions people have, this planet may have become nothing more than a planet of psychotic, bipedal apes. It could have been seen as nothing short of a farcical stage act when the hack that everyone knows as Thomas Edison fired the brilliant engineer and scientist Nikola Tesla, and told the poor timid Tesla to never return to his laboratory. Thomas Edison was merely afraid that the young and successful scientist would eventually upstage (silly pun) his work. All that is needed is for more people to accept and understand theater better, and it would take hold of their lives and be such a benefit to their daily activities. People who are born into average middle class families in modern western nations are so fortunate indeed to be in their position. Scores of millions of other people from other places in the world do not have the luxury or the privilege to enjoy the artwork and amazing performances that this country provides to its citizens.