Keep Going, and Be Proud That You Haven’t Given Up

Anthony J. Piccione

For everyone who is deeply involved in the theatre community – whether you’re an actor, a playwright, a director, a technician, a designer, etc. – I’m sure there’s been at least one time when you’ve questioned whether you were good enough, when you worried that you might not have a bright future in the arts, or when you wondered if maybe you should just give it all up. It’s something that even the best of us have always experienced, and if you haven’t already, there’s a chance you will, at one point or another.

Personally, I’ve had these feelings on many past occasions,  during my high school and college years. Frequently, I doubted to myself whether I had what it takes to make it to where I want to be in 5 or 10 years, and whether or not I should even bother to keep going. I still know some people today, who seem to be going through this phase of uncertainty right now, and I’m sure others who are reading this might be, as well.

So with that in mind, here’s my bit of advice for those of you who may be feeling these things right now:

Keep going.

Keep staying focused what it is that you want most, no matter how big your dreams or goals may be, and never, ever give up on achieving that goal. It might not happen overnight, but hard work, persistence and commitment to your talent really do pay off, at some point or another.

After all, I’m sure many of you have already had plenty of self-doubt come your way, as well as plenty of others who may have doubted you, and refused to believe in you. However, you’re still doing theatre right now, aren’t you? (For the vast majority of you, if you’re reading this blog, I’m assuming the answer is yes.) So if you haven’t given up yet, even after all you’ve already been through, then why should you stop now? 

I know that might sound like a simple thing, but believe me when I say that there’s no way of knowing whether you will make it somewhere or not, until you’ve actually tried. If I had such a negative attitude toward whether or not I could do something, I wouldn’t be in New York producing my own plays in festivals right now, less than a year after moving from Connecticut. If I can get to where I am right now, in my own life, I see absolutely no reason why anyone else can’t, as long as they keep going and stay focused on your goals.

As you make it through the remainder of 2018, make sure you don’t have a single ounce of negativity or hesitancy in you. Believe me when I say that if you let it take over your way of thinking, that will be what ultimately holds you back from making your biggest dreams come true. Just keep in mind that if it’s what you want to do more than anything else, and if it’s something that you keep staying focused on, that’s probably what you were meant to do. Keep doing what you love without ever stopping, keep aiming as high as you can, and don’t ever let anyone tell you to do otherwise. 

Just a little something to think about, as you start off this week. I hope it helps.

This column was written by Anthony J. Piccione: Playwright, producer, screenwriter, actor, poet and essayist based in New York City. 

To learn more about Mr. Piccione and his work, please visit www.anthonyjpiccione.tumblr.com. Also, be sure to follow him on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AnthonyJPiccione.OfficialPage) and on Twitter (@A_J_Piccione). Photo: American Idiot National Tour