What I learned my first year adjuncting an acting class.
Part 5 of 5
Conclusion: A tale told by a first year adjunct, full of sound and fury, signifying something?
For the last day of class I brought in some pan dulce, and some of my plays. I had this idea that we would all sit around eating and have a table reading of my short plays and maybe even read the first act of “You don’t even speak Spanish!”.
But these high schoolers were checked out. They were done-done.
The few folks who did not perform their “final” had their last chance to earn some points before the semester ended. Every student except for one, took the opportunity to do so.
The only one who didn’t perform her final was a student who had to get a progress report signed every week from all of her teachers. She was also the student who ended up hooking up with the baseball player in class. Okay, so it was a trip watching these two teenagers get closer over the course of the semester. First they would flirt with one another during class, then I would catch them staring at each other during assignments, and by the last class, they were sitting next to each other all hugged up, holding hands, an official couple now. I had to pretend like I didn’t know what was happening.
Oh, and then, there was this other student, who had her boyfriend drop her off at class, and then she would be all touchy feely with this other student in class!
I completely forgot about this aspect of high school. And here I thought they gave a shit about theatre. For example, I thought the class would be thrilled to read my plays, as like some type of reward for getting through the end of the semester together, but I basically had to beg them to participate. “Can I get extra credit if I read?” a student asked.
The final class was fairly anti-climactic. I tried my best to give them an inspiring speech about how important theatre is, and how important their lives are, and how important they are to the theatre. I provided my professional email and told them not to hesitate to hit me up if they need a letter of recommendation, or if they have questions about college or getting involved in theatre. Some students wrote my email down or took a picture, most didn't.
So what did I learn from all of this?1
On a practical/pedagogical level:
Icebreakers worked wonders for me and the class to create a sense of trust.
I even asked them Drake or Kendrick for one icebreaker.
Watching youtube videos for acting games and warm ups don’t necessarily translate to success in the classroom. In fact, I had to adapt a lot of the exercises to work for non-theatre students.
I rolled up a paper ball one class, and had them pass it to one another with out dropping it, and had them complete the alphabet to try and teach how to work together as a chorus.
Staying organized and being well prepared for class is a must, but even then, things don’t always go your way, and that’s okay.
On a philosophical level:
Regular high schoolers don’t care about theatre, and why should they? What has theatre done for them? I feel as an adjunct theatre professor in this duel enrollment/early college program that it is my job, responsibility, and duty to show these students what theater can do for them, emotionally, intellectually, and financially.
I have the opportunity to encourage and support a student to get over stage fright, to be vulnerable, to share and express how they feel.
I have the opportunity to challenge their ideas and introduce them to complex text, and to give them time to think about their values, morals, and ethics.
I have the opportunity to demonstrate how theatre can be a way to not only make some money, but also how it can lead to a life long career.
On a personal level:
I learned I need to have more fun, to try and loosen up, and to keep it simple stupid.
Lastly, I learned I have the opportunity to teach this class again. This Fall, starting September 16th, I’ll be adjuncting Acting Fundamentals at a high school in Huntington Park.
Thank you all again for your continued support and encouragement, and thank you as always for taking the time to read my words.
Wishing you all the best, and hope you have a great rest of your day!
P.S. More exciting news regarding my play “You don’t even speak Spanish!” coming soon.
Well… according to the survey I had them take: (17 students participated)
What did you think about theater before you took this class?
Answers ranged from “I thought it was boring” to “I thought it was easy and fun”. My favorite answer was “I thought it was an art class at first”
What do you think of theater now?
Answers ranged from “It was fun” to "It was scary and not for me.” My favorite answer was “Theatre is way more than just acting.”
Do you think you will attend a theatre show in the future?
No
2 students
Yes, some time this summer (June - August 2024)
1 student
Yes, some time this year (June - December 2024)
1 student
Maybe in the next couple of years (June 2024 - June 2030)
7 students
Maybe when I’m old ( June 2030 and beyond)
8 students
4a. If you answered “No” to question number 3 please explain why not?
One student said no, wrote “ because I’m a fan of movies not acting/plays” the other student said “ I rather do something else, personally”
4b. If you answered “Yes” to question number 3 please explain why?
The student who said yes wrote “I enjoy theatre, one of my favorite plays is The Sound of Music”
4c. If you answered “Maybe” to question number 3 please explain why?
Most of them said they’re not that interested in it right now, and one student wrote “when i’m old I just think I’ll like it more because I’m old” another said “I saw a play once and as a kid among adults I felt very out of place”
5. What was your favorite part of the class?
Answers ranged from it was all fun, to acting activities and warm ups. My favorite answer “Learning the Macbeth Monologue”
6. What was your least favorite part of the class?
Answers ranged from “nothing” to “memorizing and performing the monologue” My favorite answer “sometimes it got too cold”
Sometimes, those classrooms are too cold… Aaron, thank you so much for this post, this series, and for your experiences and students’ answers to your survey. Break legs in the new semester! I’ll be at LMU this fall, maybe we can grab a coffee soon!