My wife acts in and directs live theater, and because of her, I’ve developed an appreciation for it that I never had before. I’ve watched her pour time into rehearsals, blocking, lighting cues, and working with performers on the smallest details most of the audience will never notice.

It’s made me realize how much theater mirrors life.

Every role in a play or musical is critical. Sure, there are leading roles that carry the story, but even the best lead can be undone by a small role that’s unprepared or disengaged. A single missed cue or flat line can pull the audience out of the story.

One thing my wife teaches her cast members is that every character — even the one with a single line — has a full life offstage. That character has motivations, relationships, and a reason for being in the scene. They might only appear for thirty seconds, but in their own world, they are the lead.

That idea has stuck with me.

We’re All Leads in Our Own Story

We spend so much time looking at our lives through someone else’s script — the company we work for, the team we’re part of, the story someone else is telling. But in reality, we’re all bit players in many stories and the lead in others.

Sometimes we’re the mentor, sometimes the background voice, sometimes the main character. The challenge is recognizing when to step forward and when to play our supporting part with excellence.

The moments that matter — the small, unnoticed ones — are the molecules of eternity. They’re the quiet acts of integrity, kindness, and consistency that build our character and shape the stories of others.

The Ripple of a Bit Part

It’s easy to underestimate how much influence a single, small action can have. A kind word in a stressful meeting. A moment of patience with someone learning. A decision to show up when it would’ve been easier not to.

Those are the “bit parts” of life — moments that may seem small but can change someone else’s direction.

When we play our small parts well, we elevate the entire world.

Choosing the Story You Tell

We can’t control what script life hands us, but we can decide how we play our part. Do we treat the scene like it matters? Do we act with intention even when no one’s watching?

Character isn’t built on grand gestures — it’s forged in consistency. Opportunities often arrive disguised as bit parts, revealed only when we’ve shown we can handle them with excellence.

The Director’s Lesson

Watching my wife direct has taught me that excellence doesn’t come from being in the spotlight — it comes from understanding the story.

Each actor she works with is reminded that their scene, however small, contributes to the arc of something bigger. The same is true for us.

When we recognize that our moments, words, and actions connect to a larger story, we stop treating them as disposable. We live with intention. We see meaning where others see routine.

The Coaching Takeaway

Every day, you play a role in dozens of stories — your own, your family’s, your team’s, your community’s. Some days you’ll be center stage. Other days, you’ll simply set the scene for someone else’s success.

Both roles matter.

So play your part with heart, humility, and purpose. Because you never know when your “bit part” will become the moment that changes someone else’s story — or your own.