Drama classes... (adults only)
- Thread starter dottie
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awkwardamanda
Well-known member
As an adult, no. However, in my teenage years, yes. I was involved in a lot of dance classes while growing up and for a few years I took a musical theatre class at my dance studio. I also took drama classes at my junior high and high school. I thought it would help me be less shy but it didn't really work. I found that being onstage was quite different from most social situations. I actually enjoyed being onstage. But it's different when everything is choreographed. Being in any typical social situation where you're in the moment and have to think and react on the spot is another story. But it's more than just acting out a script. There are all sorts of exercises you learn in these classes which require interaction with the rest of the group. I didn't exactly fit in with the girls in my dance classes. Many of them were friends outside of the dance studio. It was very cliquey there and I wasn't too social so I didn't fit in. Sometimes I felt uncomfortable both during the dance classes and the musical theatre classes. As for school, well I didn't really fit in there either. Often we had to split into groups to make up our own plays. I normally didn't have friends in my classes. Sometimes it was difficult finding a group to work with. Mostly there were decent people in the classes, but I just wasn't particularly friends with them. It feels awkward having to ask to join a group of friends. So, as usual, I felt self-conscious and out of place. Sometimes I had fun, but in the end, I didn't really get the confidence I had hoped for out of it.
uhmm_doh
Member
Wow, drama classes would be the *ultimate* exposure therapy! I'm trying to imagine myself in one. Even googled for drama classes near my house.
Just one question: It's a near impossibility that I'll ever get the courage to go, but *if* I do, I think it would be apparent to everyone out there that I'm a fish out of water. So do you think it makes sense to let the group know the real purpose of joining the drama class is to help overcome shyness (i wouldn't like using the term SA)? Maybe they'll be a bit more understanding. Also it may be easier confronting a new group of people, who have no opinions of you, and if it goes badly, will most likely never see again.
Just one question: It's a near impossibility that I'll ever get the courage to go, but *if* I do, I think it would be apparent to everyone out there that I'm a fish out of water. So do you think it makes sense to let the group know the real purpose of joining the drama class is to help overcome shyness (i wouldn't like using the term SA)? Maybe they'll be a bit more understanding. Also it may be easier confronting a new group of people, who have no opinions of you, and if it goes badly, will most likely never see again.
dottie
Well-known member
uhmmm_doh, check your local community college! if i joined a drama class i probably wouldn't say i'm there for theraputic reasons, just general growth and the experience, which is true. it would be challenging doing improv and interesting to recieve feedback. it might open your eyes to your own behaviors or unthought of techniques you haven't thought of before while interacting with others. i hear sometimes they videotape you and make you watch yourself- ouch!
I took drama classes as a teen and as a student and loved it! It *did* help! I became more talkative etc.
It depends a lot on the group too, and on the workshop leader, what kind of things are done etc.
In some cases, we didn't 'click' in the drama group so much, but I got new friends in my high school class (people saw me in a different context - on stage, and it helped) in another case it wasn't any 'performance', just 'workshops'... in some I clicked with the people, in some, not so.. but I love performing (even if scared beforehand
) so it was mostly good.. I liked the 'games' and improv stuff etc. There were at least a few nice people everywhere..
Yup, some workshops were 'cliquey' and 'elitist' (mostly when there were people who wanted to do 'proper art' and maybe study drama or do 'real theatre' later), but even there some people were kinda nice/okay-ish, or you can take it as 'growth' and 'courage-building' exercise.. (even if you hate it there, or are a bit disappointed with it, it can constructively transfer to your life in RL..)
Maybe people in 'amateur theatricals' can be more friendly? I must admit I miss drama and theatre a bit, but haven't found the courage (or a good local group/script) to join it again..
Maybe also check if you can find 'drama therapy' though these can be different according to who does them too, so maybe find some opinions first.. (I went to some workshops on how to run it some very cool and artsy people there too..)
A friend of mine did say at the uni that she was doing a performance because she wanted to 'get rid of shyness' and I admired her for that! (It probably depends on who runs it and the people there how vocal you might wanna be about it-?)
Dottie and uhmm_doh and anyone else, do tell how it goes!
It depends a lot on the group too, and on the workshop leader, what kind of things are done etc.
In some cases, we didn't 'click' in the drama group so much, but I got new friends in my high school class (people saw me in a different context - on stage, and it helped) in another case it wasn't any 'performance', just 'workshops'... in some I clicked with the people, in some, not so.. but I love performing (even if scared beforehand
) so it was mostly good.. I liked the 'games' and improv stuff etc. There were at least a few nice people everywhere.. Yup, some workshops were 'cliquey' and 'elitist' (mostly when there were people who wanted to do 'proper art' and maybe study drama or do 'real theatre' later), but even there some people were kinda nice/okay-ish, or you can take it as 'growth' and 'courage-building' exercise.. (even if you hate it there, or are a bit disappointed with it, it can constructively transfer to your life in RL..)
Maybe people in 'amateur theatricals' can be more friendly? I must admit I miss drama and theatre a bit, but haven't found the courage (or a good local group/script) to join it again..
Maybe also check if you can find 'drama therapy' though these can be different according to who does them too, so maybe find some opinions first.. (I went to some workshops on how to run it
some very cool and artsy people there too..) A friend of mine did say at the uni that she was doing a performance because she wanted to 'get rid of shyness' and I admired her for that! (It probably depends on who runs it and the people there how vocal you might wanna be about it-?)
Dottie and uhmm_doh and anyone else, do tell how it goes!
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coyote
Well-known member
when i was a kid, i participated in a Children's Theatre group during the summer for many years, and i had a blast
then I took a number of speech/drama classes in high school and was in all the theatre productions - I loved it
during my senior year, I directed the spring play as an independent study project - without any faculty assistance - that was really fun - and I was in a play at the local community college
since then, i've done a couple of community theatre things, but it has been a long time
i've been thinking lately, since moving to my present location, that it might be fun to audition for a community theatre production
only now I'm scared to death of making a fool of myself - and besides, the theatre groups in this area are seriously really good, so I doubt I'd even get a part :[
then I took a number of speech/drama classes in high school and was in all the theatre productions - I loved it
during my senior year, I directed the spring play as an independent study project - without any faculty assistance - that was really fun - and I was in a play at the local community college
since then, i've done a couple of community theatre things, but it has been a long time
i've been thinking lately, since moving to my present location, that it might be fun to audition for a community theatre production
only now I'm scared to death of making a fool of myself - and besides, the theatre groups in this area are seriously really good, so I doubt I'd even get a part :[
Ohh, Coyote do go for it!! I'm sure you'd be great!!
Or maybe you can do your own production or start a new theatre group? wow!
I did some stuff as a kid too.. (with other kids of our street etc and a tiny bit at school)
We don't have such 'great' groups here, though some are quite good, but they're not entirely local and since I'm mostly car-less that might be a problem, also the kind of plays they've been doing were not really 'up my alley', good scripts are not so easy to come by here.. (I meant to write some plays, it takes a while to write a play though.. and after I almost finished one my 'actors' moved internationally/to other cities/fell in love.. and then later it became a bit 'dated' too.. so it was 'put off' indefinitely..)
I think you might also do great stand-up comedy or improv
I meant to do that too but kinda never had the courage for it - it's easier if you're male though, I think?
Or maybe you can do your own production or start a new theatre group? wow!
I did some stuff as a kid too.. (with other kids of our street etc and a tiny bit at school)
We don't have such 'great' groups here, though some are quite good, but they're not entirely local and since I'm mostly car-less that might be a problem, also the kind of plays they've been doing were not really 'up my alley', good scripts are not so easy to come by here.. (I meant to write some plays, it takes a while to write a play though.. and after I almost finished one my 'actors' moved internationally/to other cities/fell in love.. and then later it became a bit 'dated' too.. so it was 'put off' indefinitely..)
I think you might also do great stand-up comedy or improv
I meant to do that too but kinda never had the courage for it - it's easier if you're male though, I think?
Deus_Ex_Lemur
Well-known member
I took 2 classes; a few years ago, before my SA got worse. Acting for the Camera... 20 people. It was... quite exposure lol. Film you, a lot of exercises, and the teacher spends 20+ minutes on what YOU alone are doing; looking/acting etc. You really can see your ticks and nerves come out and realize how your SA inhibits you from freeing yourself and to take risks. But by the end of it, I did a little bit, let loose so to speak.
The last project is to do a 3-4 page scene from a movie with a partner. And the teacher films it. I did Fargo - the scene with Francis McDurmand and William H. Macey at his office. That was awesome for my confidence because I got nothing but accolades and GOOD criticism from the teacher... realizing what I coulda done more.
BUT frankly, that was not truly accurate because the character IS nervous in that scene so my real huge nerves helped lol.
The group is important too, the first class most ppl were new, no cliques. I made cool friends although my SA I never kept up with them =( Big regret. But it helped me TONS being more talkative and confident. But once you stop - yeah...
The 2nd time around, I knew one person from the last class, but apparently various levels of these classes are offered and older ppl take it, a huge clique was there, having had many classes together before. I certainly felt like an outsider and never bonded really with anyone except my partner I was assigned with. And thus it wasnt a great experience...
Then things got bad for me in RL, and yeah... it's strange these experiences havent translated to NOW. Sometimes feels like it never actually happened.
ANYWAYS - short story, drama classes are great. Or can be.
The last project is to do a 3-4 page scene from a movie with a partner. And the teacher films it. I did Fargo - the scene with Francis McDurmand and William H. Macey at his office. That was awesome for my confidence because I got nothing but accolades and GOOD criticism from the teacher... realizing what I coulda done more.
BUT frankly, that was not truly accurate because the character IS nervous in that scene so my real huge nerves helped lol.
The group is important too, the first class most ppl were new, no cliques. I made cool friends although my SA I never kept up with them =( Big regret. But it helped me TONS being more talkative and confident. But once you stop - yeah...
The 2nd time around, I knew one person from the last class, but apparently various levels of these classes are offered and older ppl take it, a huge clique was there, having had many classes together before. I certainly felt like an outsider and never bonded really with anyone except my partner I was assigned with. And thus it wasnt a great experience...
Then things got bad for me in RL, and yeah... it's strange these experiences havent translated to NOW. Sometimes feels like it never actually happened.
ANYWAYS - short story, drama classes are great. Or can be.
oopsiedoop
Member
i used to be more comfortable on stage than off..but that was singing. acting is really about showing yourself raw, without any other issues (like the fact that I had a good voice and was "just" singing, even if about something emotional), though eventually you will likely wear a costume. you might end up having to interact a lot very closely with people you're working with. i'm doing this now and it's a nightmare.
Mickery
Well-known member
Perhaps the opposite can be true as well, more so with acting. I think that if one of your problems is hypersensitivity to what people are thinking about you, it could be productive to interact as a character. You may feel less personally vulnerable if the person isn't really you, and worry less about saying the right thing if you have a script. It's an opportunity to step outside your normal self with a big comfort zone.
Maybe.
I totally agree with this!!
It was MUCH more easier for me to act according to a script or guidelines, or even my own improv/situation clues, than in RL: you're a character on stage, there's tons of cute funny oddball characters in theatre/films/drama..
Someone from the theatre said on TV the other day 'Theatre is insanity-friendly'
So you can make true your fantasies (or other people's) or potential scenarios or ideas or whatever in safe 'haven' of 'pretend make-believe' scenario...
None of it is real..
It depends on the drama teacher/director/workshop leader somewhat, some may have sado-masochistic tendences and may insist on it being 'real' or 'raw' - but it's not neccessary. Basically there are two approaches: one is Stanislavsky's - to find a 'real' emotion or memory from the past, act from it, or to imagine the person in front of you is someone else, or going for 'what if' scenarios; the other one starts with physical cues (eg for laughter or tears) and 'builds' emotion from that... Also Brecht's theatre intentionally shows the 'make-belief' character of theatre and has 'fantasy-breaking intermezzos' etc.
So, different styles of theatre/drama can bring different things..
Oopsie, singing can be 'raw' or 'fake' too, it depends how you do it or why and where, who with.. how much the song or drama 'syncs' with you who you really are.. you have opportunities to be someone completely different in drama and to explore the wold thru different eyes...
If you tell us about the problems, maybe we can help? Take care! Drama/theatre can be difficult, but sometimes even difficult scenes or dramas can bring 'catharsis' and can actually be fun!
Exposure works for me so I've considered signing up for adult drama classes to help me express myself better (and also because I'm actually interested in it). It's real hard to find them here though, they're usually made for kids. Maybe I'll try Toastmasters instead or something.
Hottie
Well-known member
This is something i would have considered. But for the fact i suffer from blushing, there is no chance i could do this, which is sad. The blushing aspect of my SA is what ties me down...
I do think it would be a great form of exposure therapy and it could potentially help a lot of people with anxiety and shyness. So if you are considering it...dont consider it...do it!!!
I do think it would be a great form of exposure therapy and it could potentially help a lot of people with anxiety and shyness. So if you are considering it...dont consider it...do it!!!
oopsiedoop
Member
Like physical exercise, acting is terrific while you're doing it. But it doesn't necessarily translate to real life.
Deus_Ex_Lemur
Well-known member
Like physical exercise, if you do enough, consistently, over time it will translate. You stop... it goes wanes and "goes away". I can attest to both, while I was taking my acting classes it did translate, slowly but it did. But when I stopped... and other things happened, it evaporated. I suppose if I focused again and went back to taking classes it'd come back quicker... it is frustrating tho =)