Acting Class - Improv

Improv - Acting Class. I sort of dread going now but I would not want to quit, I paid too much for it. Besides how could I show fear and cowardice in front of my wife? She dutifully comes along. I don't even know if she likes it. The class has to challenge the veterans who take this every semester. So it's a bit fast for us the first timers.

The two vivacious young ladies who lead this do not know what to do with me, I don't think. I thought it was me but when I came to think more clearly in preparation for this blog entry I realized it really isn't me it all. It is all of us in the class. They keep their distance from us, the class. Everything is done very professionally. But they do look at me funny.

I was noticing this week when we came in to wait for the class to start. We all sat on the side of the room across the aisle from where the two ladies sit. We have separated ourselves from the teachers. One of the women noticed this. What does it mean? Does it mean anything?

The class ends promptly at nine. It is clear every week that they do not want to interact any more. They go back to their room, the room that we dare not enter. The door might be slightly open but they sit whispering furtively to each other. This is clearly their space.

Sometimes I think they worry that we will rub off them, our lack of talent or something.

Before and after class they sit in their room until we all vacate the building. Last night though as soon as we were out they were too. No talking. They slip to their cars and drive off.

But no it is not me. I think I get it now. Actors have been taught to consider non-actors as potential stalkers. If they ever get famous you cannot have stray pictures or stray stories out their for people to take advantage of. As I am in this class of potential stalker I find this unfair.

But then I remember I do the same thing when I go into the prisons and relate to inmates. I am very reticent to give them personal information. I rarely give out my phone number and then I give my cell phone. Who knows who has access to a cross-ex phone directory? When someone asks where I live I am vague about that. I would never give out my address. So here I am on the other side of it. I imagine many of the inmates think this unfair, an implied accusation. If you think about it long you could get your feelings hurt. They have been understanding.

So I understand how these young ladies feel. This is a class. Better not to get too close to your students. When we do chaplain training for ministry to prison inmates they tell us the same thing. Don't get too close. For persons of the opposite sex, do not get emotionally involved. Do not let yourself fall in love with inmates. You would be surprised. (Then again you might not.)