Embracing Mistakes in Drama: Unveiling the Learning Opportunities
I came across a quote about the importance of artists allowing themselves to make mistakes. I liked this quote immensely. Mistakes and making them? THAT, I am good at.
I could make mistakes for the Olympics. However, I do know that when I become good at something, I grow afraid of ruining it by making the inevitable mistake. It’s like the ‘watching a train wreck’ analogy, except I’m simultaneously an observer witnessing the trajectory of the hurtling train AND a passenger, with a deep knowledge of the impending doom.
Enter our new classes ‘Act Up - Acting & Improv for Adults’. We have the most generous class; full of experienced humans from every corner of life. The ‘18 years-ish’ throw themselves into improv with total abandon and the faith that they have the chops to tackle any stimulus. The middle years (and later) class members show more restraint in jumping in and often need a little more encouragement. What they do bring is a mature playfulness and steady patience to the mix. And this mix works beautifully. So well, in fact, that I jumped in to make up numbers in a group game, with the confidence of years of teaching improv, and the ego of someone who is teaching.
And then the learning began… I failed. Miserably. To add insult to injury, my 19-year-old son, who attends the class, called out helpfully, “Just go with the first thought that comes to you!” - quoting me (the cheeky monkey), while my face burned. And I LOVE improv.
In another scenario, many years ago, my husband was playing Oberon in our outdoor production of Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. In fairness to him, he picked up the role 2 weeks before opening to cover an actor who had to pull out. He was working full-time, helping juggle two small children at home, and supporting a wife who was mental with getting the show ‘right’ as director, and who was about to deliver their third child. In what he still feels was a cataclysmic fail, he forgot his line. At that moment, the 15-year-old Puck saved the day, improvising her way into Oberon’s next line and giving him space to feel his way back into known territory. Would die-hard Shakespeare fans have noticed? 100%! But if our audience did, they never mentioned it.
Fast forward 10 years, and the actor who played Puck is now Gwendolyn in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. Again, an outdoor production in a breathtakingly beautiful garden. The audience is spellbound; picnicking under the stars and chuckling at Wilde’s spot-on wit and observations. And then the lights go out. We lose power. Every. Single. Adult. working backstage runs to the power box: “How do we fix this? Have you got another cable? Is there a way we can connect power elsewhere?” Meanwhile, the actors IMPROVISE. The audience leans forward. They want to be a part of the drama unfolding. A fast-thinking stagehand grabs her torch and swings its beam towards the stage - spotlighting Lady Bracknell. Another, and another, and another spot the actors. And then… a champagne cork pops loudly! Audience members are enjoying this. They are invested. They have bought tickets to this show and they have seen something that will not be repeated any other night. This moment is still talked about (and not just by me!).
When my children were quite small, I was gifted a family ticket to the Improv Grand Finals at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney. It was a big deal! We packed the kids up, made the 2-hour trek down the freeway with snacks and nappies, and arrived amongst the anticipatory pre-show music and hype, ready to be entertained. My son (the 19-year-old heckler) was so little he was overwhelmed by the noise and kept his fingers in his ears until the show began. It was a great night. Fabulous improv from actors who were confident, creative, and funny. And then something happened. A team - and I mean a whole team - died on stage. That is to say, they dried up, no ideas, the action stalled. And then… AND THEN… the MAGIC happened… a player from an opposing team jumped into the scene with an idea. And then a player from another team did the same. They saved the scene and were rewarded by a theatre full of roaring, clapping patrons. We saw what could have happened and were full of joy at being witness to the saving of the situation! What was important - it wasn’t about the actor experience, it was about the audience.
What do these experiences have in common? Each moment was a mistake, and the narrative could have ended there. But it didn’t. Because by leaning into the mistake, there came an opportunity to problem solve and create a different experience for the players on stage and the audience. Each was a moment that was a breath or more in time to feel we were part of something truly unique and special.
Making mistakes in drama allows us to create new things and explore uncharted territories. Mistakes can lead to unexpected and innovative artistic choices, pushing boundaries and challenging conventional norms - like lighting a stage with dolphin torches and therefore creating a more intimate experience for the audience! For artists, embracing mistakes can keep them grounded and remind them of the importance of authenticity.
So how do we overcome the fear of taking risks and making mistakes? Finding a drama class and teacher that encourages a safe and supportive environment will go a long way to empower actors of all ages to feel safe enough to jump into a scenario without knowing if they will fail, (and sometimes knowing it’s certain they will) and learn from the experience. And to be honest, ‘artist’ or not, making mistakes goes beyond artistic growth; it also contributes to personal development. Do I need to mention that by making mistakes and acknowledging them, we gain self-awareness, resilience, and confidence? Probably not - or you wouldn’t be reading this post. I’m inviting all our readers (that may be just my husband - bless him) and challenging myself to make glorious, amazing mistakes, as a gateway to new possibilities beyond my 50s.
What does this mean for Upstage Youth Theatre? By creating an environment where mistakes are valued and learning is prioritized, we empower young people to become confident, resilient, and fearless in their artistic endeavors. So, a ‘HUZZAH!’ to the beauty of mistakes and their opportunity for continuous learning and growth.
References:
- Neil Gaiman quote: "Make new mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you're scared of doing, do it. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something."