Improv Fever!

I had my first performance tonight as the leader/organizer of an improvisational comedy troupe. Ten of my graduating 8th graders and I have been practicing improv games after school for the past two weeks, in preparation for a performance tonight. We absolutely brought the house down. We had people rolling, laughing so hard. The kids just had creativity springing up nonstop from almost everywhere, and they had the audience eating right out of the palm of their hand.

And there must have been 40-50 there, too! They were pouring almost out the doors; it was a standing-room-only crowd at the end. Oh man, I'm so encouraged by this: I see so much potential for growth in this endeavor, and I'm really excited about starting an improv troupe at school next year. I'm glad some of the 7th graders were there to see it; maybe they'll join up next year. My only regret is losing such amazing talent to high school. I swear, those kids just have me cracking up.

Thankfully, one of the student's moms taped the performance, so we can look back on it and see what we had. I really hope each of those students goes on and does drama or improv in high school, because they will completely take over if they do so.

And as much as I stress books, grammar, and essay writing in class, there is nothing that can enrich a person's life like having the self-confidence to be able to get up in front of a group and make a complete fool of yourself. That is something that I hope I have engendered in those students. I can't say enough. It was a regular "Whose Line is it Anyway?" program. Honestly just as funny.

I haven't been so pleased with my job in a long time. The kids showed me so much enthusiasm and talent that I just know that I picked the right career. Amazing, to think back on it and see where I came from, and how I ended up teaching. And now, I couldn't imagine doing anything else. What a great way to kick off the weekend.