45 by 45 - first one done!

Shannon Beynon Reporter from Christchurch Mail

The first thing off my list of 45 things to complete by the time I'm 45 has been completed. Admission - it was in the wind before my birthday, but it was still something I had wanted to do, and it was serendipitous that it all happened around the same time.

I performed in front of an audience.

For eight weeks last term, I was part of a rag-tag bunch of twenty or so individuals who got together every Monday night, telling stories, making stuff up and having a hell of a lot of fun. We were teachers, tattoo artists, students, personal trainers, professionals. All with our own reasons for coming, and united in our desire to step outside our comfort zones and try something new - and maybe make some friends along the way.

Our tutor, Emma Brittenden, was an absolute breath of fresh air while being incredibly encouraging and delightfully naughty. She encouraged us all from the get-go to always be 'a bit shit'; to give ourselves permission to not be perfect. It's this lesson that's at the heart of improv, and, if you ask me, life itself.

Improv isn't just about acting or comedy or making a dick of yourself on stage. It's about sharpening your brain, inspiring your partner and failing spectacularly and being more than comfortable with it.

We learned story structure and we learned the rules of the games, but we also learned how to read cues and how to step back and let someone else lead. We learned to let go. We learned to relish our failures.

A couple of weeks ago we showcased what we'd learned in front of an audience of family and friends. And it was both terrifying and terrific.

If you're keen to repeat my madness, I highly recommend this class as a way of dipping your toes in.

Spontaneity One runs at the Court Theatre every Monday night from 6pm-7.30pm. No experience necessary!
$127 per term (8 weeks).
Book at courteducation.org.nz.

The full list of my 45 by 45 can be found on my blog: shewillbealright.wordpress.com.... I'll update as I go.