Last week, my daughter served as stage manager for the musical, Godspell, at her school. I’ve seen the show several times, but it was a treat to see her peers performing scenes and songs I remember fondly and to know that she played a pivotal role in helping bring the show to the stage. (Side note: We’re so proud of her and everyone who worked on the show. Way to go, guys!)

My husband and I have both been drawn to theater for years. I took some theater history classes in college, and he performed in a handful of community productions. We met when a big group of friends went to a play and then dinner afterward. When we married two years later, we merged our lives, our households, and our season tickets to the theater.

Here are a few reasons why I love theater and you might too:

1. It’s a live art form. Even though the show may be performed many times, it’s still different each time because of a variety of factors, including the actors’ and musicians’ performances, the audience’s response, and more.

2. It offers so many places for beauty to be found: in the performances, the writing, the music, the direction, and technical aspects such as the set, costumes, lighting, sound, and more.

3. It allows us to share the experience with others in the audience at the same time. When we stand up during intermission or at the end, we now have something in common with each other, maybe even a connection, because of what we’ve experienced together.

4. Theater makes you think and feel, if you’re willing. At different times, I have left the theater exhilarated, thoughtful, saddened, angry at injustice, encouraged, inspired. Even changed. And almost always, glad I came.

If you enjoy going to the theater, why? What are some of your favorite shows or memories?