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• Get out of your seat and get into the spotlight

  Monday, May 18, 2009 5:43PM / Standard Entry / Members only
  9 comments

  Most of my life, I have preferred to be a silent audience member instead of being the animated performer on stage.  It’s not like I have never been on stage before, I have had the experience of getting on stage for some Christmas plays at Church and was forced to play piano for a group as a kid.  But I always felt uneasy about being on stage or being center of attention.  In fact, I didn’t like it so much that some of these experiences traumatized me into fearing the spotlight even more.  In some ways, even in life I ended up taking the more passive role when I'm with a group of friends instead of being a more active participant.

  
  

  So it’s easy to see why I have always stayed behind the camera, and tried hard to make sure I do not get caught in front of the lens.  Even when I’m holding the camera, I would feel the need to stop tape when I give directions because I hated listening to my own voice.  I know this is very irrational, and it sometimes gets in my way of what I want to do, so lately I felt I needed to get out of my safe zone and charter into unfamiliar space.

  
  

  
  
  
  

  This past weekend, after reading all the great reviews of Jeanne Hartman's acting workshop, I finally felt safe to go try this acting thing.  It was a long way for me to get up onto that stage from those days in high school where I was named the quietest person in class, but I'm so glad I finally took that step.  What I discovered and learned about myself through the class were priceless.  I truly thank Jeanne, Jason, AnD, and all my great classmates to help me get there. 
  
  
  

  
  Our class
  
  

  I must say I was a bit skeptical of everyone's praises before the class, but now that I've been through the two day workshop, I too can't help but recommend this to everyone I know.  I do not expect to have a career as an actor, but the class taught me so many valuable lessons that are so relevant for everyday life. Plus it turned out to be very very fun.  The improv exercises were challenging, but we had such good laughs doing it. 
  
  There's also a party this Thursday at Hotel Panorama at 10:30pm as a farewell to Jeanne.  I'm sure many of the students from the many classes will be there, and I hope to see friends there.  Once you meet Jeanne, you'll know you'll be in good hands when you take her class.
  
  I think there are still spots left to tomorrow and Wednesday's class.  Reach out to Jason Tobin if you're interested.