First Week

Tuesday was my first day of classes and it was AWESOME! We had a Movement class at 9am followed by Acting followed by a short lunch break followed by Voice until 1730 (and that was an early finish). I was on my feet (bare feet) the entire day and it was invigorating! I felt alive. This is it, this is what I came for, this is what I've been missing for three years. This is 'work' as God intended it; mental and physical toil together. This is the antidote to all those days in the Academy sitting on hard chairs in large movement rooms for a class; but sitting, not using the space, educating the mind but not the body, losing connection with my physicality, core and even emotions. Now, wonderfully, I have this opportunity, a year, to waken up my body and reconnect. It’s going to be a challenging year of taking risks, making brave choices and being open and honest. Integral to an actor's work is the ability to be totally truthful, not ‘acting’ or faking things but simply being…

Wednesday was an 8.45am start, just to shake things up a bit, but in general the days are nine to six. Real nine to six! Then we have homework from all the various tutors so evenings are quickly filled up too. It’s busy, it’s craziness, but it’s so good.

All the tutors are brilliant at what they do. Each are very specialised in their field (e.g. movement, voice, camera, dance) but also have a clear awareness of how their ‘piece’ fits into the jigsaw of the overall actor’s process. They are focussed and passionate and there is always something to get excited about in every class. The classes are usually at least two hours long, but it doesn’t feel like it. Once there is a group of committed people working hard together, time is often left at the door. And my classmates are great; varied and fascinating people, genuine and open, and hardworking. I’m often surprised at how aware they seem to be of themselves (and in contrast how unaware I am of myself) and how well they can articulate their thoughts and feelings. So far I have been contributing very little, which worries me a little, but perhaps that will change. Most of the time I find myself going through a whole class and just listening; taking in what the tutor and others are saying.

It’s exhausting work. Draining, but in a good way. I tend to notice it when I’m going to sleep or when I get up. My body feels different, I’m more conscious of a body-mind connection, my general awareness is slowly opening up and I feel like I’m breathing in more of life. Which has its down-sides. I woke on Sunday morning with a really bad sore throat, which soon transferred itself to my nose and is now a regular cold. I don’t get ill very easily, but clearly this has been a lifestyle change significant enough to catch my immune system off-guard.

I’m continuing my search for a church; I’ve tried Holy Trinity Brompton – it’s big and trendy and BIG. I received a welcome from the legendary Sticky Crumble (Nicky Gumbel), and that was quite an experience. Being at their student service was literally like being at a rock concert with the loud band, lights, smoke, the works. Part of the importance of church for me is being able to mingle with people of all different ages, because I’m with students all the rest of the time. So I don’t think being part of HTB’s Student Population is what I need. It’s cool, and it’s not me.

There is so much to tell, so much going on and so little time even to reflect as I am doing now. But I must endeavour to keep finding the time. It is important; even just to remind myself I’m really doing this, that it’s really happening. Praise God.