Class Stresses Fun, Thinking
Miami Herald, 9/23/04 Miami-Dade Edition
by Ryan Mills U/Miami News Service
On Thursday evenings, a North Miami Beach dance studio is converted
into a classroom for improvisation for people from all walks of
life.
Elisabeth Drake moved from Long Island to Miami recently to take
a job as an insurance broker. After participating for just a few
months in a North Miami Beach improvisation class, she soon would
find out that she not only had a new job but perhaps the makings
of a new career.
Drake, 23, who says she enrolled in the class in April "as
something to do," has become the newest member of the Laughing
Gas Comedy Improv Theatre Company, a 17-member troupe that performs
weekend shows in Miami Lakes and Coral Gables.
"Within the next couple months they're going to throw me
on stage," said Drake, who continues in the Thursday evening
class sponsored by the theater company. "That scares the
crap out of me."
In improvisational comedy, actors perform a variety of skits and
games based on random suggestions from the audience. Whatever
is on the audience's mind becomes the actor's raw material.
"What we're teaching here in basic class is how to create
a scene with other actors, to create it on the spot without any
preparation," said Gerald Owens, a 17-year improv veteran
who has been offering classes since starting the theater company
in 1992.
Drake was one of five students at a recent class held at Peaches
School of Dance in North Miami Beach.
The school is being remodeled, so there is an occasional paint
rag to avoid, but because all the actors need is floor space and
chairs, Owens says the studio, complete with mirrored walls and
ballet bars, is perfect for improv training.
During the class students worked on a characterization exercise
in the form of a job interview. Each student played the role of
a job applicant while the rest played a panel of interviewers
led by Owens.
The catch was that the applicants didn't know what job they were
interviewing for or what type of character Owens was playing until
the scene started.
The ability to improvise is an important skill for any actor to
possess, Owens said. Many times when auditioning for commercials,
actors have no script and no costumes. They just have to "be
interesting."
"Improv is designed to make actors connect with one another,"
said Owens, 47. "You learn to support each other. It is not
you versus the other actor. You and the other actor are conspirators.
You're always trying to make each other look good."
The classes, which are $15 per session, also introduce students
to characterization, pantomime and creating relationships and
environments, Owens said.
Charolette Harber, a model and actress who has performed locally,
is taking Owens' improv class to improve her acting skills.
"This will help me to hone up on my acting skills and work
with the other actor in the scene," said Harber who wants
to appear in independent films or on a sitcom.
Not all of Owens' students are aspiring actors. The class attracts
people of all ages from all walks of life, from lawyers to musicians.
"Improv forces you to be spontaneous," said David C.
Secrest, who works as a waiter. "It's good for more than
just acting. It lets you express yourself better in daily life."
"It's a little like playing," said Secrest, 37. "It's
a lot like being a kid again."
To view the complete article, click
here for the article or go to the Miami
Herald website and search for Laughing Gas. A subscription
is required, but is free for registered users.
For additional information or to arrange
an interview, you can see our general release,
you may contact Gerald Owens at 954-942-0375,
or E-mail
him.
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