Yep that’s me on the right. I’m playing Imogen Nation.
One of the best teachers I have ever had is the theatre. When we dive into an art form, we are transformed by it. The art plays a role in creating us. It teaches us its culture, its rules, its language, its magic. And after a time, it begins to feel like home.
My choice to study theatre in university was spontaneous. My boyfriend at the time saw the sign for the auditions and said, “Hey, you might like that.” I thought, I just might and signed up. After a whole bunch of improvisation and an interview, I was in. It changed my life.
Theatre and I weren’t friends immediately. Some of the stand-offish rumours abut theatre are true. But when I hit grad school, I had the opportunity to experience the theatre from a million different angles: reading, writing, debating, acting, directing, dancing, creating, assisting, choreographing, publicizing, planning. I’ve been a courtier, a model, a nightingale and a head in an urn. I’ve created a 3-minute movement piece choreographed to text. I’ve catered an opening night and I’ve directed a play about a colour. I’ve had a critic walk out on a performance, and I’ve lived through it. I even sang on stage. Once. (btw, that wasn’t the ‘critic incident’) And I’ve been to more than a few truly great parties. It was simply impossible not to fall in love with theatre.
And in the midst of all of that, I was learning. Not grad school learning. Life learning. I’d like to share what I learned with you.
Everything I Needed to Know, I Learned from Theatre
- You can make magic out of nothing.
- A dingy basement can become a sacred space.
- Always smile and connect to people when you meet them.
- Be professional whether or not you’re being paid.
- Do what needs to be done.
- Believe in people, and they will share something amazing.
- If it’s honest, it’s interesting.
- Everything’s better if you get to go out for beer afterwards.
- Celebrate everything.
- Be brave.
- Share yourself.
- Challenges and hard work mix well with laughter.
- Everyone wants to be included.
- Dress to the nines!
What has your art taught you?
Enjoyed it? Share it.
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful post & an excellent list of useful life lessons.
I’ll add only that from painting I have learned that being present in the moment with mind and body focused and working together lifts me off the ground.
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There’s no ‘only’ there – that’s a powerful lesson. Thank you, Ina!
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I think it fits under the heading of “Brave” but i’ve learned that you’ve got to be willing to screw up big (or at all) for those chances at awesomeness.
So, did you just un, or intentionally, start a book? ♥
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Jamie Ridler Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Yesterday Kate Swoboda interviewed me and one of the questions was what common threads I noticed in creative peeps and one of my answers was “bravery.” I hear you, Shamsi.
And oh, my, you may have just planted a seed here. Thank you.
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Jamie, thanks for this beautiful post!
My engagement with arts–everything from writing and teaching and parenting, to the improvisational dance that is intuition–teach me to meet the unknown with curiosity, receptivity, responsiveness and delight. They teach me to step back from what I think I know, and to encounter each moment’s unfolding mystery with reverence, playfulness and wonder.
And yes, I do believe you’ve begun a book here!
xo Hiro
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I love the first one of your list especially Jamie – “You can make magic out of nothing”. A wonderful reminder to all artists.
I would add that art has an incredible way of connecting with people. I know in the past, things I’ve written have had quite a profound effect on people. Especially if the piece was written for them. It’s something that can be very enamouring and seductive, and needs to be handled carefully sometimes.
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What has my art taught me?
Honesty.
To be brave.
Never give up the child-like side of myself even when everyone around me is telling me to “stop being silly and grow up”
I think when we let go of self imposed rules and just create, we are the most honest.
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How did I not know this about you, Miss Jamie?
I am going to use this question as a writing prompt, a thoughtful writing prompt, not one I can just make a pithy comment on a blog.
Just yesterday as I headed to an audition I asked, “Why am I doing this?” and when I went to a late night rehearsal I thought, “I love these people, but what compels me to be here?”
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i *LOVE* this post, Jamie. your theatre background doesn’t surprise me in the least…i can see it in how you show up here…in how you project your creative self out into the universe (more and more…and more…these last few years). this has given me great food for thought. xo
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Well, since I live theatre everday you KNOW I appreciated this!! AND, i LOVE that “You can make magic out of nothing” is number one!!! Well, you at least need a little duct tape
It can wear you down day after day trying to make magic out of nothing so thank you for the reminder that we ARE making magic. It’s easy to forget that sometimes!! And, yes, going out for beers and celebrating everything is important – especially on those days when you come just shy of magic. Great post – Thanks Jamie!!
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I totally relate with this, Jaime. To me, there is nothing like the excitement and vividness of the theater!!
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Hi Jamie,
I’m new here and adored reading this, because I studied theatre too. It opened me up to so much: empathy, drama, connection, emotions, listening, human yearning, comedy, tragedy, story. I loved stepping into other lives, and little did I know at the time it was the perfect first act for what would become my life’s work as a counselor and coach.
So thanks for this.
p.s. I especially liked this from your list: “Everything’s better if you get to go out for beer afterwards.” Oh yeah. That’s the part I miss the most.
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I, too, am going to use this as a writing prompt…I felt a little tingle in my heart and a burst of memories from my high school years where I spent my theatre time. Thank you for the idea, for the inspiration and for giving me a great few moments of joy after a long week.
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Jamie, have you gotten into my brain???
I started doing theatre when I was nine years old. I was very shy and often hid behind my dad when adults were talking to me. I spent the next ten years attending a children’s theatre weekly and performing in plays and went on to study acting in college and got a master’s degree in theatre education.
Although I am not currently participating in theatre, I firmly believe that I use what I learned in the theatre every day. Every job I’ve ever gotten was because I looked people in the eye and communicated effectively and genuinely. I learned the power of working hard and the magic of collaboration. I learned that everyone wants to be heard and understood and that the most rewarding way to live life is with a “yes AND” mentality (one of the keys to improvisation.) As a photographer, I put the lessons I learned in the theatre every day: direction, collaboration, design, costuming, lighting, communication, improvisation, celebration. And above all else, I learned from the theatre how to live passionately.
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Hi, Jamie. I can appreciate the theatre being a great teacher. My 14-year-old daughter loves theatre and is learning and growing so much by being a part of this community and stretching her creative wings.
For me, it was collage. I had disowned my artist self for reasons related to my childhood and my relationship with my mother, who was an artist. But I have since reclaimed her and it started with collage, specifically SoulCollage, which has branched into other forms of mixed media art and it has made me feel more alive.
What I love about collage is that I didn’t have to be schooled as an artist to start cutting and pasting images together that tapped into my inner child and allowed me to make incredible reflections of my inner being. Stop by my blog and see my slideshow of SoulCollage cards that I made into a story…
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I think I might cry, thinking about what (musical) theater has taught me. It was my childhood, my young adulthood, my life, my love, my joy, my natural high….oh yes, I’m crying.
To add to your list:
* Nothing compares to the feeling that comes from making an entire audience laugh.
* The sound of applause is worth working long & hard for.
* Teamwork, teamwork, teamwork!
* Trusting & listening above all.
* Five pairs of tube socks sewn into each cup of a large bra is very, very funny.
* Look for the different, the unexpected, the unique.
* Find you uniquity, claim it, & present it to the world.
* Inside jokes are the funniest jokes of all.
* You can make your own family.
Oh, I feel like I can go on & on. Thanks for starting the wheels spinning, Jamie!
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