My first day as a TA for an Acting class

               Where do you start? How much knowledge about theatre do you assume someone might have when they sign up for a “basic” acting class? Kelly was right when she said not to call it an elementary class because it does sound like you’re teaching children. To be fair though, those people who are taking it as an elective, how much do they really know? How do you start with basics of acting and not sound like a condescending ass.

                On the second day of class (the first I heard was solely syllabus discussion) the college kids ranging from 18-23 stood in a circle and we played a memory game. We were to say our name and then “what we would bring to the party”. After this we did another variation of this game, but instead of a party food following our name it had to be some kind of movement. Looking around the circle in the middle of these games, I almost messed up the game numerous times. The energy was so low and people seemed lethargic an unwilling to give the game everything they had. I wondered how they didn’t understand the importance of these games. Did we not explain it well enough?

                At its very core theatre is about playing and exploring the world around you. We were giving them the chance to do both. Find out who these people are that you’ll be working with all semester. Theatre is also about trust. To feel vulnerable, you’ve got to be comfortable with your scene partner. Not best friends, just comfortable.

                Following these games we tried some improvisation games for a little bit. Upon hearing the instruction I cringed a little “you set up a scene, say a party, and then one by one the guest enter bringing with them an emotion.” I knew how the class would take it. Without a good reason for being sad, angry, or sleepy, they all would enter the stage in turns cry-ey, yell-ey, or yawn-ey. None of it believable.          

                I have friends who look at improv as a serious art form, not just a chance to go on stage and get a joke in, but an actual medium for storytelling. Some of the students had lots of potential in the games we played. However, without us stopping ( due to the fact we only have fifty minutes) and explaining to them before and after games why it’s important we play them. It’ll be just that. A game.