by Amber Shae
In my mind, levels of improvising coincide with levels of water and I am certain that my being cast in an improvised rock opera feels as it would to be tossed as a feeble young babe out into a lake of murky water well beyond the “Warning: Sudden Drop” sign.
Not only is this my debut performance, I am also exactly halfway through completing classes at the Hideout.
In lesser verbiage, I often feel like an incompetent swimmer of an improviser who can doggy paddle only well enough to please my director and cast mates and to not completely drown mentally in my personal thoughts or suffocate physically when I am out on stage.
In spite of sulking in my fears, I have learned a great deal about the art form of improvised music and even more about myself.
It is not a mere matter of making shit up, this beast of a show requires from the each of us: team work, dedication, focus, and trust… all qualities that admittedly are not my strengths.
We work together, we show up consistently, we keep our heads in the game and we really mean it when we say “I got your back”. I am constantly pushed to the brink; in rehearsals and during performances and as scary as being on the brink can be, I somehow feel stronger and liberated and empowered. I feel like the real deal, like some sort of a rock star!
I never thought I could make up a song, and a dance and tell a somewhat meaningful story while having a blast and still maintaining a cool-as-a-cucumber composure, but I now trust that I can.
With proper training and experience even the most apprehensive of land dwellers could learn to swim.
This journey will remain with me as I continue to tread the waters, and though I have not yet reached the isle of expert imps, being cast in ROCK has given me a new breast stroke on life.
Come watch Amber’s masterful strokes. Get your tickets to ROCK.