The powers of theatre, Part 2

Warning: I'm about to get all existential, and it's the inner Crossing Cultures student in me talking.

Theatre is more than rehearsals and performance. It extends outside of the script and off the stage.

Before you can attempt to cross into another culture, you have to understand your own. That's the underlying message I've taken away from Theatre of Crossing Cultures class.

We do a lot of exercises to help each other do this. The thing that makes the class unique and these exercises worthwhile is that it's a non-permit class, which means that non-majors can take it, as well. About half the class are theatre majors, so a lot of them aren't used to the open environment and activities that demand us to reach into the depths of our souls and share some of our innermost secrets with one another.

Sometimes it takes a lot to participate in these activities, especially ones that stir up unwanted or unrealized emotion from within us. But the class atmosphere grows so much from learning from each other that one never feels judged, everyone knows everyone else's name, and no one is opposed to sharing his or her opinion.

Who are all those people you've brought with you?

Have you even considered it before?

--DQ