Michael Laskin Studio

At the end of this past week’s Wednesday night class, one of my newer students came up to me before he left the theatre and said, “Thanks for a beautiful class.”  I don’t think he has any real idea how much that meant to me.  It may be of the more meaningful things anyone has ever said to me….thanks for a beautiful class.

You see, I have a commitment every Wednesday night that I take seriously. And, every week before my regular Wednesday night class, I give myself some time to think about what is truly on my mind – and what part of that might be pertinent to explore in class as a launching-off point.  I make time in my day for this.  It’s my obligation to come to class every week with some new ideas, thoughts, observations, challenges, and points of view – pertaining to acting, the business, the culture we live in, the life we have chosen.  I don’t want it to ever feel dispassionate or “by-the-numbers”.

But we are all human, and before last Wednesday’s class, I was simply not able to summon anything meaningful.  I had nothing. Normally I get my thoughts in line, write down a few “bullet-pointed” ideas, and forge ahead. And on the 30 minute drive to class I usually talk out loud in the car (yes….I’m that guy), rehearsing my opening thoughts.  But, as I said, this past week – I had nothing.

So (necessity being the mother of invention) I decided to simply come to class, do a quick “read” of the room, and start talking – flying without a net, as they say.  Teaching is a performance of sorts, and requires both mental and physical preparation.  And teaching actors specifically requires perceptive personal focus; the ability to understand and work with the flesh and blood in front of you, in real time.  You must remain creatively “on-point” for three plus hours, all the while navigating the work, the person, the needs, the insecurities, the breakthroughs.

As I began to address my students last Wednesday, the class took on a life of it’s own.  That’s the mark of a good class, an engaged teacher, or both.  I am comfortable enough at this point to simply start to talk and see where it goes.  With a connected and curious class, it always goes to a strong place.  And so, we continued.  Scenes went up, personal moments took place, nervousness fell away and boldness came forward.  It all jelled into a very strong class.

I do confess that I get nervous before class, just as I do before a performance, an audition, or an important meeting. And I need to have a “roadmap” as to where I want to go in these transactions. Being professional means that I never want anyone to feel that my best effort was not there, in the room.  My full presence is required.

“Thanks for a beautiful class.”

Thank YOU for being on this collective ride.