Life is all about journeys, isn’t it? At any one moment we’ve all got several going all at once. I personally undertook a new journey back in January, not knowing where it would lead me. Now, eight months later this chapter is ending, and I’m waiting for the next one to begin. Yep, I’m talking about my improv exploits. Yesterday was my last class in the four foundation level courses at Bad Dog Theatre. From here, the likely thing to do would be to sign up for one of the intermediate classes. That’s pretty much where my mind is headed.
God, I would not have imagined that I would have taken to this activity in the way that I have. Ultimately, I found it to be so very liberating and almost magical. When everything just clicks, there’s this gut feeling of mild euphoria. It’s really hard to describe. When I started out, I approached it as just a fun side activity. That still remains true to this day. I think then that the big difference between then and now is that somehow I’ve made improv to be more rewarding on a deeper level than just playing pretend. Does that make sense?
Over the four beginner levels, I had two different teachers. My first teacher only had me for the first level. She was keen on getting us to be positive with ourselves and with one another, and to trust our gut instincts. She planted the seed that would eventually grow to what it is today. For the three remaining levels, my second teacher has watched me develop. He has told me that I’ve grown such that I’ve now got a sense of fearlessness that envelops what I do. Maybe it wasn’t my intention, but I’ve somehow developed a very large presence and a commanding personality. It’s a contrast to how I perceive myself in my every day interactions with friends and colleagues, and yet, all of this is true. These are all extensions of my true self. Now, I’m not claiming to be all that great at improv. Oh hell no. There are a lot of people that are miles ahead of where I am. All the same, I am humbly convinced that I possess some great skills. All I need is more training and more experience. This second teacher has helped me to believe in myself. Yes! I can do this!
So now where does this leave me? This activity will never be my bread and butter; that’s easy to accept. This is something though that I’d like to keep in my life. I’d like to hone the craft and perhaps occasionally do something on stage. On a selfish level, this would be more for the cathartic effect this thing has. The sheer joy of it is also addictive. In any case, just like how at the beginning of this undertaking I would never have imagined my state of being at the end of the foundation courses, I don’t know how I’m going to be after these next courses. Just like in improv, I’m going to do my best to keep an open mind in terms of the possibilities.
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