Contributed
Yes and… this month, Edwina gets way outside of her comfort zone as she tries out a session of improv, offered regularly at the Erie Art Museum. The warmth of the instructor and the welcoming nature of the other students put Edwina’s anxiety at bay for a fun evening.
Do you remember when you were a kid, and you ran everywhere you needed to go and didn’t bat an eye at another kid asking if you wanted to play? Remember pretending, making up songs, and when doing creative things was just a regular part of your existence? Well, I remember, and I miss it. This month, in addition to seeing Toy Story 5, which reinforces the value of play (recommend!) I tried an Improv class at the Erie Art Museum. Now I’m feeling more playful than I have in a long time.
Full disclosure, the Reader’s very own Nick Warren (who recently upgraded me to fiancée!) has long been involved in various iterations of improv and had already been attending this class. I was equal parts soothed by the knowledge that he would be there and scared that I may be bad at improvisation and perhaps embarrass him. He has not yet retracted his proposal, so I think I did alright. In all seriousness, I can tell you that the atmosphere at this class is nothing short of absolutely welcoming. If you’ve ever thought of dipping your toes into this kind of thing, go for it!
The class is taught by Sara Fisher, a graduate of The Second City Chicago’s Music Improv Conservatory and the iO Theater Chicago. She studied in New York City and has taught and performed in Boston and Chicago in addition to here in Erie. Fisher draws on her expertise in movement and storytelling as well as her work with adults with disabilities to create a warm, inclusive, welcoming environment. She is a kind and inviting person with a lovely smile and an infectious laugh. She set me at ease right away. Sara opened the class with a brief agenda and focused on the idea that we were there to play. That further calmed my nerves, and I was ready to get into it.
I was one of three newbies to the class; the others included a middle school teacher and someone visiting from Baltimore who had stumbled across the class after a quick search of things to do around town. The games and exercises quickly broke down barriers and encouraged an easy intimacy amongst the group. The prompts given were so simple and easy to build on that everyone jumped right in. It was really, really fun. I laughed so much that my cheeks hurt when I left. Luckily for us all, the class has been extended for two playdates in August. Check it out – maybe I’ll see you there.
Improv at the Museum // Wednesdays continuing for Aug. 12 and 19 // 6 to 7:30 p.m., Erie Art Museum, 20 E. 5th St. // $15 for members, $20 for non-members // More info at erieartmuseum.org/improv
Edwina is Erie’s (self-proclaimed) biggest fan who loves being a tourist in our own town. If you have an idea of something new she should try you can email her at edwina.capozziello@gmail.com