Forward, the Only Way to Go

Me: I need to return this printer

Clerk: Do you have a receipt?

Me: Yeah, it’s right here.  It definitely is broken.

Clerk: I’ll have to talk with my chief. [picks up imaginary phone; uses thumb and pinky]  The chief is not there.  Come back next week.

Me: So, your boss is not there.  Can I just take this one for now? [points presumably to a shelf]

Clerk: No.

End scene.

This was an abbreviate scene in which I participated at a recent theatre class.  Although truly feeling at home in Erfurt, I still did not know too many people in this town… or in the country.  So, I finally checked off something that has been on my to-do list for some time: contact a theatre and find out how I can get involved.  The theatre responded in a couple days suggesting that I attend their weeknight class.

After mustering up the courage, I went to the theatre on a Tuesday evening just to get a feel of how this all might work.  As the class starts, I am informed that we have low attendance this week – participating with the instructor is two Germans, two Syrians, and one American.  We begin with enunciation practice by repeating a ridiculous word (Kirschschiffchen) and then a tongue twister.  We then bite down on a cork while reiterating these phrases in order to emphasize opening one’s mouth; using a cork is a practice that, I am told, is “often seen on TV.”

Moving on to improv, my least favorite activity in the English language, we are to set a scene where a returned product is refused.  For my first scene, I am paired with a Syrian, who keeps confusing ‘Chef’ with ‘Chief,’ so I am unsure if I should correct him or continue with the scene; I decide on the latter.  My second scene, I am the clerk and am refusing the return of a broken, used condom.  This type of scenario, I am learning, is typical German humor; the group praises his choice after the scene.  Improv in English is scary to me as people will expect you to be witty, funny, timely, and intelligent; in German, I am just trying to get coherent words out – perhaps this is the right place to get my improvisational feet wet.

Rounding out the night with some a bit of pantomiming in partners, I realize that this theatre is a bit more aligned with a Melodrama than classic theatre.  As this style still is of interest to me, I believe that I will continue on and see how things progress with this group.  They have a review coming up in late October; I am curious to see their full program.

However, the biggest positive from this experience is meeting this new group of people.  Germans, Syrians, it doesn’t matter: Being interested performance, they are all friendly and welcoming.  Math may be the universal language; however, it’s theatre that is the universal community.

And on the topic of universal truths, how many times do Sopranos need to go over the melody in order to be satisfied?  There are now only three rehearsals remaining until a choir concert on October 7.  Most of the songs are in two or three parts, but our six song set list is still a bit shaky.  Then again, the concert is at a bar; there will be alcohol; maybe no one will notice.  The Brazilian choir director has assigned me as the tenor section; in fact in one song I have volunteered to sing a fourth part – this upset the altos as it is mostly close harmonies with them.  Altos…

September also means the beginning of the fall dance classes.  I have been invited to teach a beginners tap class this fall and began my course this past Thursday.  I had three ladies attend – two in sneakers and one in tap shoes.  I had worked out exactly what I wanted to teach and various ways to put it into practice.  All of that was for nothing as their skill levels were quite different that I had expected; I had to focus a bit more on general walking-in-time and explaining rhythm.

On the flip side, one of the ladies pointed out after 15 minutes that I kept saying ‘left’ when I was starting on the right.  Doh.  But truly the source of my fluster was that they voted to be taught in German when I had planned to teach in English; I had not anticipated this.  Still, the show must go on.  The hope is that this week will run smoother.  Regardless of what happens, this is yet another experience that makes my journey here worth all the turmoil that landed me where I am.

In order to help the dance school prove that I am a (semi-)professional instructor, which will aid in reducing their tax liability, I had been asked to put together an official resume for their submission.  I perused quite a few theatre resumes from those connections I have in the US community (so, thanks Alex and Kelly) and built one of my own.  I have to say that I am pleased with the result.  Perhaps this will lead to something bigger here in Germany (in fact, I am already aware of something building…).

I am happy to see August go.  I am excited (once again) to see where this adventure leads.