(Katie, Jeff and Rachel Pan - 2011)
TIM TALKS ABOUT IMPROV FROM IMPROV FROM THE HEART
1) What was the obstacle that would have kept you from taking IFH?
Fear of exploring painful memories or emotional states, or more simply,fear of being vulnerable.
I've taken IFH with David twice now, the first time I wasn't really aware that this fear was present and in retrospect it definitely kept me from attending class for the final weeks.
The second time I took the class I became very aware that something about the class scared me, even though my ego-wall kept telling me there was nothing to be afraid of. The real response was that yes there were very scary things happening in my psyche but there was no danger of exploring them in the class.
2) What did you find as a result of taking IFH?
I found access to emotional states and memories that I wasn't aware I had, or at the very least with David's guidance discovered the wall I had up in front of these states and memories. I found at least that it was possible to give up the control over these states without "Losing Control," and that by simply preparing emotionally and feeling rather than being. I found that acting, especially stage acting, there are a whole host of possibilities and tools just by FEELING. That to show rage or depression or fear I didn't have to ACT or BE angry or sad or scared, I could just feel it, and simply by feeling it it would come across in my acting.
3) What did you like most about IFH?
I love the feeling of camaraderie and support that exists in every class. It very much ends up being a class of folks willing to push and be pushed by each other. The group space it provided to practice Meisner and Game and Emotion safely were indispensable.
I would like to emphasize the GROUP part of that, because it is very easy to practice half-version of those things by yourself, or in any class, or with any acting troupe but with IFH there is a baked in Group Goal that actually brings the full benefit of Meisner and Spolin's techniques.
4) What would be three other benefits you got out of taking IFH?
I feel like I'm repeating but really the class pushes you to stay in the
Moment, to control your Ego instead of letting your Ego control you, and following your emotions instead of forcing your emotions to follow you.
5) Would you recommend IFH? If so, why?
Yes, but! Sorry for the improv joke. This class definitely isn't for
everyone, or maybe better put not everyone is ready to take this class. If your goal is to have a fun and enjoyable time, maybe take another improv class, unless you find staring into the abyss fun and enjoyable.
I would strongly recommend this class to anyone creatively minded (artists, actors, painters, designers), who are ready to dig deeper into their own psyche and emotions. I would recommend this class to ANYONE who likes improv and is looking to explore their own self more. This class at times has the same mood as a support group, a meditation retreat, or some long fasting.
Uncomfortable emotions and painful memories WILL come up and you will be constantly challenged not only by David but other classmates to GO DEEPER. I once read a testimonial about the class that implied IFH will save you on years of therapy... what I found is the opposite. If you are getting the full benefit of the class you will need more therapy, more support and more practice to help process the memories and emotional states that come up, otherwise you are still repressing and still putting up walls to try and contain those memories and states.
Tim Notari
Writer/Performer/Poet
Oakland CA by way of Pittsburgh PA by way of Scranton PA