What's your "reason"?

Define “pretty”. Such an obscure question, with different meanings for different people. When I was asked this question at the beginning of the semester, I would never have been able to answer. How do you make an adjective such a tangible thing? And what is the one “true” definition? Is it about looks, or can it be a state of mind? Does pretty encompass a great deal of traits that a person has, or is it determined based on hair color or face qualities?

You don’t need to have a definite answer right now, nor may you ever have an answer (I’m not sure I will). But I wanted you to start thinking. Who determines what pretty is? Media? Those we grew up with? Men? Ourselves? In true theatre form, and in my efforts to keep this blog based on my life as a woman actress, I had to answer all of these questions and more to find a much more deeper meaning for a play I’m doing. In January I began working on a show called “reasons to be pretty” which centers around this very issue. The show centers around couple Steph and Greg who have been together for 4 years, but break up when Greg compares Steph to a girl he works with calling her “regular” and the new girl “pretty.” Greg is also friends with Kent, a total skeezeball, who thinks that pretty is only based on looks, and encourages Greg to leave Steph because she is not “pretty.” Through arguments and real-life situations, Greg and Steph discover what pretty means to them and how we achieve happiness based on that. I was originally drawn to the script, and actually proposed it as my senior capstone this year, because it was so honest; the story and situations are so true to real life that everyone can relate. It also made me pose the question: What is pretty and what is my reason to be pretty?

 

Through both extensive research and rehearsal the 4 person cast has discovered a few things about the word pretty. So many people think that pretty is simply based on how you dress, or your hair, or how you do your makeup, but I believe it is so much more than that. I think that to be pretty, you need to have a pretty soul: good intentions, morals and the willingness to help people in need. What’s more, you need to be confident: to me that radiates pretty more than anything. So no, pretty is not just based on the outside, it starts from inside more than anything.

I believe this is such a relevant topic always. We are always struggling to be what others expect of us, and we are constantly changing ourselves to fit into the media and construed ideas of “pretty” or “sexy” or “beautiful.” This play really hits home for me because after working on it for awhile, I realize how more and more I was the main character Steph: one comment based on my looks can set me off because I just want to fit into that pretty stereotype. Now, I know that pretty can mean a lot of different things, and I’m not sure if I will ever be able to define it fully. So stop worrying about what you look like, but instead focus on who you are, how you feel about yourself and the pretty soul you have. Remember that not everyone’s idea of pretty is the same, and that’s okay, but we must love and accept ourselves. I encourage you to answer the question

“What’s your reason to be pretty?” Mine is to be happy. Because if I feel pretty (inside or out) based on my idea of what pretty means, then I feel happy.

I also encourage all of you, theatre people or not to come see “reasons to be pretty” March 7, 8, 9 in the PAC Black Box Theatre. I think that being a feminist or someone who can appreciate the beauty of human life will make you understand and enjoy the overall message of the play more. Not only that, but you can test your theory of your “reason to be pretty.”