play production class

I signed up or another class at U Rock, the local branch of the University of Maine Augusta here in Rockland. I have had several years of graduate study at the University of Chicago and elsewhere, but I still like to take a class now and then for what i can learn and for the fun of it. I take them for credits I don't need. Robert Frost once said writing poetry without rhyme is like playing tennis with the net down. Although I sometimes write blank verse, I believe that taking classes without credit is like having obstacles removed.

The course I am taking is titled PlAY PRODUCTION, and I thought it would be about the elements of producing plays, like directing, casting, blocking, and back stage things like sets, lighting, sound, etc. To my surprise it is an acting class. Although I have some experience as an actor, I have never taken an acting class, so I decided to stay at least for a few classes because I had googled the instructor, Jonathan Potter, and on the basis of his extensive resume, felt I could learn a lot from him, and in the process possibly find some actors who might help me cast two or three plays I hope to produce this year.

The first class was great fun, We started by introducing ourseleves to each of the other students, followed by some breathing and stretching etc,. Some of these games required me to drop to the floor and get up again. I HAVE GREAT TROUBLE WITH THIS. I can get to the floor in stages but cannot sit on my but there or lie on my back, and can get up if there is a chair or something to hold onto. I am only 77, but feel older when I have to get up from the floor. After a break, we did role plays. I WAS VERY MUCH IMPRESSED BY THE TALENTS OF MY CLASSMATES. They quickly assumed roles in conflict situations, and sometimes were humorous and sometimes poignant, In each of the assigned roles, we were asked to not give in but to stick to our predetermined goals. As a one time mediator, and an often successful catalyst for resolving conflicts, I was not entirely comfortable playing a role where I had to not find a way to resolve the conflicts we found ourselves in. As a playwright, I would have to create characters who had goals that were achievable only if the character is able to overcome obstacles and discover ways to resolve such conflicts. However, as short dramatic events, they were very successful, and each pair of role players was cheered on by the rest of the class, which was refreshingly free of high ego driven competition.

We were assigned a text, Power of the Actor, and told that some of the grade weight would be based on the text, There will be two performances, the first a monolog ( possible auditioning material?) and the second a short play or scene, presented to an audience.

I ordered the text from Amazon.com, and while waiting for its arrival began to read Potter's copy of Joe Navarro's What Every BODY Is Saying. It is an eye opening book, I had always been aware of body language, but never thought to read peoples feet. It is a fast read, and ought to be a great help to actors and directors who can be bilingual, or bi-corpual as it were, and speak not only the lines tripingly off the tongue but also reinforce the lines with learned body language.

Yesterday the required text arrived, and i read the introduction. Ie reminded me of the TV salesman selling NOT FOR SALE IN STORES items. 'BUT WAIT!' THERE;S MORE!, read this today and we will DOUBLE the offer." The author was not only full of himself but overflowing with his incredible death defying accomplishments, and his claims tha he would teach actors to WIN. Win what? Academy awards? Might be a good read for actors who want to make martial arts movies or car chase flicks. Turned me off. HOWEVER, I will plow through it before the end of the semester like a 'good' student.

Looking forward to the next class.