My, How Lucky!

Please read the following e-mail I received from the T.A. in my Acting I class this afternoon:

"Dear Class, I hope you are all enjoying this class and that your quarter is rocking right along your way. I very much look forward to our progression together. I have spoken to Gulu and we have agreed that it is necessary to set a few guidelines for the class. The particulars of these guidelines are attendance and attitude. Last Friday eight students were absent from class. That is one third of the entire class, which is unacceptable. Attached is a syllabus outlining the attendance policy for the class. Each student is allowed one unexcused absence. For twelve students in the class the unexcused absence has been exhausted. If you think that you might be one of those students please feel free to contact me. I would like to say a few things. I think that this is one of the best programs in the country. I have seen undergraduates from this school hold their own quite well with Yale Grad students, Julliard students and professionals. You should all take pride in the fact that you are here. You should also remember that for each one of you here,there are at least twenty people who didn't get to be a part of this. What you are being asked to learn in this class relates to any character you will ever play and any type of performance (Classical, Contemporary, Absurdist, Commedia, Film, you name it). You have the chance to craft the way that your mind and body works. Don't take it for granted! I have also been watching you guys. I think I learn just as much from listening to and watching you as from practicing my own work. I hope that will be the same for us all. Across the board you all have what it takes physically, vocally and intellectually. Whether you will take the raw materials and talent that have earned you your place here and transform it into skill is a question of discipline. You are the first freshman class to be allowed an acting class. The attendance policy speaks for itself. What I want to address is the environment we are creating. When your classmates are working, you are expected to give them your attention. If someone is whispering and giggling or whatever and I hear it, then the classmate who is working or Gulu can probably hear it. Some part of their attention which should be focused on the task at hand will be directed to that person and their selfishness. That is not fair. You should ask yourself this question: How does one grade a class like this? There are no tests, quizzes, or papers. I think you'll find that it boils down to whether or not you show up and when you do, does your attitude contribute or detract. It will always be that way. I think you are all doing wonderful work and hope to make this the best opportunity possible for all of you."


One of the few things I dislike about this program is the persistent need that professors and teaching assistants feel to remind us how lucky we are, how grateful we should be, and how extraordinary what we're doing really is. WE KNOW. Trust us. We are all more than aware that the planets were in perfect alignment on our audition day and Zeus was watching over us and Jesus was in the pencil of the man or woman watching our audition and conducting our interview. We see the work being produced here and the actors in grades above us and we know that you, my dear TFT, are churning out some damn fine actors. And we want to be one of them. WE DO. The constant haranguing doesn't do anything to support our love of the program, it just makes us drained, exhausted, and likely to YAWN even more. I don't mean to complain. No, actually, I do. We don't need to hear your speeches anymore. We know we can touch Shakespeare's folio, we know that you are probably a good teacher even if you are crazy and choose not to wear underwear. Give it a rest. For the love of God, give it a rest.