One of the greatest benefits of arts training (whether music, drama, dance, or any other artistic discipline) is the opportunity to take risks and overcoming our fear. I have had the great pleasure of teaching with the Denver Center Theatre Academy as part of an array of multi-talented teachers, most of whom are professional actors. This seemingly simple task of joining the faculty of the DCTA was, for me, an act of great courage, one in which I took a huge risk.
My educational training is in the area of Early Childhood Education and my professional background as a musician is in the area of folk music. When I first approached the DCTA about the possibility of adding a musician to their children's drama faculty, the idea intrigued them! So, after much brainstorming of what new influences and skills a long-time folk musician could bring to their table, I soon found my niche with this top notch organization.
I was very much out of my comfort zone and yet, this journey into new territory was thrilling. My greatest qualities as a teacher are the abilities to think on my feet and especially, to think outside the box. Being called upon each week to come up with something completely new could be daunting for some, but was a welcomed challenge to me. My creativity had never been at a higher level. And, I was teaming with some of the best arts educators in the country!
My learning curve in the area of theater education has been dramatic and I have always strived to continue challenging myself to learn more about the craft of acting. During the past 13 years, I have struggled through several acting classes. Clearly, my strengths seem to serve me better as a musician and songwriter. My monologue for a beginning acting class was equally painful for those in the audience as for me myself, and I seem to have no natural aptitude for acting at all. In another class, the teacher teasingly asked me to perform my monologue from the piano bench, and in doing so, I actually did much better! These experiences have been frustrating at best. But, in learning more about the nuts and bolts of acting, I have learned so much that has helped me to be a better teacher and to offer even more to my students whom I work with at the DCTA.
Stretching ourselves as far as we can may seem grueling and perhaps even a waste of time. The result for me was to once again come to the realization that I will never be a great actress. Yet, there is so much that I have also gained, some things which have nothing to do with acting at all. I remember once auditioning for a folk festival in which only a dozen or so musicians would be accepted out of the 100 acts showing up for auditions. After I performed, I told a friend that I had felt really great about my work that day, and that if I wasn't selected it was likely because they had not needed a "Joni Mitchell singing, dulcimer player" as myself. It wouldn't be because I had an off day and didn't do my best. My friend responded by saying, "To me, that just sounds like an excuse to justify failure."
Some people will always play it safe and never put themselves out there in a situation where they do risk failure. But then, we would be spending our lives never growing or finding joy and fullfillment in the pursuit of new accomplishments. All artists, whether they are actors, musicians, dancers, or painters will forever take these kinds of risks with each new work that they create. In creating something new and different, there are no guarantees what the response will be to that work. And, that is the challenge and joy of creating new works!
Arts education is an avenue, for children and adults alike, to begin taking these kinds of risks through classroom experiences and performing. If you are interested in pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, check out the new winter classes at the DCTA. Here is the link: http://denvercenter.org/education/education-main.aspx
Check back later this week for more about how arts education can help your child in taking risks. I will be featuring Lindsay Taylor of the DCTA. See you then!
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