What I Learned in Drama Class : PerformerStuff More Good Stuff

What I Learned in Drama Class

Written by Becky Keeshin

September 13, 2017

For many of us the interest in theatre came at a young age. Maybe a drama specialist came into your kindergarten class for one day and you were sold the minute they whipped out the costumes, or perhaps you were lucky enough to see a Broadway production that sparked a drive in you that continues to light your fire today. For me, it was watching Judy Garland sing “The Boy Next Door” in Meet Me in St. Louis at my grandmother’s house. Curled up in my favorite cream colored arm chair, I watched Judy in her blue and white striped dress with the white cuffs and white bow, and I pointed to her and said “THAT! I need to be a part of THAT!” I wanted to be in the frame with her, singing her words and feeling what she was feeling. My persistent and rather annoying singing had my mother dragging me by my shirt and dropping me off at the nearest drama class. I have a feeling this might be a relatable incident.

It was at these classes, from the early drama classes to middle school and then on to high school, that I met the teachers who guided me into choosing acting as a profession. Now as a professional actor and teaching artist myself, I have realized just how much I gained in these environments and how much these teachers impacted my development. The constant creativity, support, and positivity made me want to keep coming back, to keep learning and growing. I never lost interest because these teachers and the material they were giving me opened up doors and ideas I had never thought of. Most importantly, I gained the desire to be a storyteller.

A common thread I have found throughout my entire training as an actor is we are constantly trying to return to a state of childlike wonder and play. There is such an innocence and openness to us as children, and when we are molding ourselves to a role nowadays in our adult exploration, it is that sense of love and excitement about the work that keeps us hungry. It is the magic we felt as the clock struck 3:17 p.m. on a school day because, the minute that bell rang, it was off to drama class where we felt our day really began. It was those teachers that not only led us and directed us, but also celebrated our wins and mourned our losses with us. It is because of the teachers that exemplified humanity and uplifted our passion and differences that many of us are who we are today.

I consider it quite fortunate to come upon those teachers that help us find our paths in life. Sometimes these teachers appear at times we didn’t expect, and only years later do we realize how much of an impact they made in how we have developed. Other times, it seems those incredible teachers surface exactly when we need them, and we keep them in our hearts throughout our continuing artistic journey. They are forever a part of our lives. Thank you to the wonderful arts teachers who have shaped us into the people and artists we continuously strive to be.

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Becky Keeshin is a Chicago-based actor. She is a recent graduate from The Theatre School at DePaul University where she earned her BFA in Acting. When not acting or writing, she enjoys vigorously scrapbooking and playing the ukulele.