Jonathan Meinsler is finishing up his time at AUM and is no stranger to the stage or backstage at Theatre AUM. Jonathan has been a part of every single show in some way since 2015. Some people find their calling or their “thing” later in life, but for Jonathan he discovered his love for theatre when he was only a child. “I remember being five, my mom and grandparents went to see Phantom of the Opera in Atlanta, they brought back the cast album and within three days I had memorized and was singing every song full out. So, I believe it has always been my calling to act and sing.”
Jonathan doesn’t enjoy to perform only for his own enjoyment or for his own escape out of the world, but he also does it for the audience’s own enjoyment and happiness. “I love to transport the audience into stories that make them laugh, cry, or think about a subject in ways that expand the minds of the viewers. I love to perform to brighten the day of even just one person.” The joy of acting should not only come from the joy that you personally feel while creating this art, but it should also come from how you impact the audience. The job of an actor is to move people in ways they have never been moved before, to inspire them, and to also challenge them. Acting is so much more than repeating lines, but it’s being able to repeat the lines in a way that can touch the soul of the person who’s watching you; and to be able to do that is an extraordinary thing.
Theatre can be that healthy dose of escape out of the real world and into the world that you don’t currently reside in. Sometimes the world you step into might be harder than your current life or it may be a huge break, either way it’s an escape from something that can be monotonous. Jonathan explains it best; “The world is a crazy place where we see horrible images and hear heartbreaking stories on the news. Acting allows us to escape and be creative and bring a joy and light that can lift the spirits of the people that come to the theatre.” Acting is more of a group therapy session, not only is the actor able to escape while performing, but hopefully the audience is able to do the exact same thing.
The world of theatre and acting is a powerful one that can change minds, lives and hearts in only a few short minutes. Theatre can take you to a different world and allow you to be a part of events and situations that you aren’t able to in the real world. “Theatre allows people to broaden their outlook on the world and gives them a window into different ways of looking at subjects they might not encounter in their day to day lives. Theatre is a powerful tool in communicating ideas to the world.”
By Olivia Crutchfeild
