Today I had a great day. I taught a comedy workshop to theatre majors at Richard Stockton University. We have all heard a familiar phrase. "Those who can't - teach." But please allow me to add a new one. "Those who want to be inspired, energized, challenged, questioned and apreciated - teach."
I love any opportunity I have to be in a class room. Especially in a situation like I was in today. These kids wanted to be there. They wanted to learn. They wanted to do well. They were a lot of fun and very talented. Remember being that young and full of that outrageous energy? Ah to be young again.
We played improv games, did a quick writing exercise, and I gave a little lecture. I already got an email from one of the students telling me they learned a lot. Ah instant gratification. I'm staring to like this interweb thingie. Plus what the hell. Any time you get to pretentiously say "I'm teaching a master class at the local university", that's a great flippin' day!
Cooler yet a colleague at the college (how's that for alliteration?) took me out to a working lunch. We discussed grant writing and future collaborations. Plus, after my big day on campus I had dinner with friends where we talked about ideas, politics and volunteer work. Could it be that I am finally a mature adult?
Say it isn't so. But I can already feel my desire for a slurpee and Simpson reruns slipping away.
Blog Author
Michelle Tomko's comedy is a fervent blend of tomboy sensibilities courtesy of the older brothers she grew up with in the Midwest and the barrage of perimenopausal chaos the East Coast world has heaped upon her. She pulls her humor from everyday observations and classic stories of family, travel, pets, and adversity. With razor-sharp crowd work and improvisational skills to the rock-solid timing of a veteran performer, Michelle’s act is not to be missed!