<p>You’re going to have to be living proof. In otherwords, you cannot convince him. You’ve tried, it didn’t work. I hate that for you. I wish it was not true but focusing on your dad is only hurting you at this point. </p>
<p>Yet be careful to not embark on your work as a way to “show him” or anyone else what you can do. That is just another way of giving his opinion too much weight. Be honest with yourself everystep of the way. Do work you love and let what other people think go. It’s a skill you will need all your life. </p>
<p>Think of it this way, you said yourself that your dad doesn’t know anything about theater or the arts. So, if he were not your dad you would not value his opinion on this, right? But because you’re a good kid, you care what your Dad thinks. Just remind yourself that he just as flawed as the rest of us human beings. Let his words roll off you while affirming your goals in your mind. </p>
<p>Learn to love your dad for what he can provide and learn to forgive him for what he cannot. I’m still working on that with my own parents and I hope my own will do it for me someday because surely, somewhere along the line, I will have let him down.</p>