Your words of wisdom were the key to making the classes work. It really was. I was so tripped up on making the class "meaningful for the students" and "worth their time." But you said I should prioritize my pleasure, and then the question morphed into "what kind of class is meaningful to ME?" "What class is worth MY time?"

 

From there, I realized there were some thoughts I had unconsciously that acting and improv are silly and frivolous compared to the more academically rigorous work of theatre history and theory. But asking: is that true? What if acting and improv are just as serious? I don't need to MAKE them rigorous. They already are.

 

I was able to shift from a place of convincing the students it's worth their time, to just coming in with the stance/attitude that of course it's worthy! It is what it is. And most importantly, I get to have a meaningful class experience for myself. And it was scary and fun and I was SO proud of myself at the end of the day. Amber, you gave me those key thoughts that unlocked the whole thing I have been investigating for years. I can't thank you enough!!!!!