<p>I’m attending the Carnegie Mellon Pre-college program this summer (acting), and I’m trying to figure out what elective to take. I’m deciding between play writing and improv. I’m really interested in play writing, I’ve written a few and I’m planning on writing one for my senior project, and I absolutely love improv, and I know I would definitely benefit from the classes. I was wondering if anyone who has gone to the pre college program and taken one of these electives thought of them? Thanks!</p>
<p>Hey! I went there last summer. First of all- great call- you’ll love it! I took directing, actually, and really enjoyed myself, but I was in a reading showcase with the playwriting class and had plenty of friends who did improv.</p>
<p>The biggest tip I can give is that the improv elective got the reputation for being the easiest. As far as reports went, it was purely fun. That didn’t mean that no one learned anything, but they didn’t have work after class. I don’t know how much work playwriting had, but they had all finished a ten-minute play by the end of the three weeks. Playwriting seemed like a really supportive environment for great performers to get in touch with their cerebral side, and I was impressed with the results.</p>
<p>Basically, if you want to take advantage of either Boal (I disliked it but to each his/her own) or the Film program and want to have lots of evening free time, I’d do improv. If you aren’t doing either of these or don’t mind being pretty busy (I did Boal, which was four hours on Tu/Th/Sat I think, and was in the directing class, which had about an hour of homework a night, and I could have used more free time) then go for either. You can’t make a wrong choice.</p>
<p>My D did Boal and loved it. It’s really incredible. It’s by audition, though, so you won’t know until you’re there if you’ll be doing it. My D did the improv elective and liked it, but I can’t recall any specifics.</p>
<p>I went there last summer too, and I would say experiment with either the playwriting or directing elective. I did the improv elective too, which looking back may have been a bit of a mistake. That’s maybe more a personal thing though, because I have a decent background in improv already, so I didn’t feel like I really learned much in my class (then again, I heard they were doing more “legitimate” improv work in the other class with the other teacher). But if you haven’t done much improv, maybe you can try it. To each their own really.</p>
<p>I also was in Boal. I’d say, if you’re interested in experimental theatre and creating your own theatre…audition. It’s only a few weeks, and if you don’t like it you can just chalk it up to a new experience. Colleges loved it being on my resume, and while I had mixed feelings about it, it was at least something new I tried.</p>
<p>Can someone explain what Boal is? Drama94 is my daughter, btw! :)</p>
<p>I’ve decided to do the play writing elective as playwriting is something I am seriously considering studying in college and incorporating into my future career, but thanks for the advice! As much as I love improv I think I would be disappointed if that was my elective based on what you are all saying.
As for Boal- I didn’t see that in the packet I was sent (I probably didn’t look very thoroughly… whoops!) But it seems really great- what did it focus on? And what was the audition like? I am interested in experimental theater (maybe not so much as traditional theater, I haven’t quite decided) and it seems like a great opportunity!
Thanks!</p>
<p>I found this through my pal Google: [Boal</a> Workshop 2008: Boal Workshop Auditions - Tuesday, July 1](<a href=“http://boalworkshop2008.blogspot.com/2008/06/boal-workshop-auditions-tuesday-july-1.html]Boal”>Boal Workshop 2008: Boal Workshop Auditions - Tuesday, July 1)</p>
<p>As I recall, the students created and performed their own pieces that focused on social justice, awareness of repression, etc. (alot of these pieces were focused on adolescent experience, IIRC, not necessarily political in nature). The workshops were focused on movement and group dynamics. I saw a demonstration of these exercises on parents’ weekend. They were all designed to focus on awareness of what the others were doing and creative movement. A bit hard to describe, but it was very cool to see!</p>
<p>I was curious about Boal also and found this:</p>
<p>[BOAL</a> - Clare Graziano](<a href=“http://www.enrollment.cmu.edu/admission/blogs/cgrazian/2009/07/boal.html]BOAL”>http://www.enrollment.cmu.edu/admission/blogs/cgrazian/2009/07/boal.html)</p>
<p>Quote:</p>
<p>"The group work on ‘image pieces’ opened my eyes to injustices and humanitarian struggles across the globe. For someone like myself, the new world of expression through movement, using physicality and silent expression, was exciting and inspiring. Taking powerful ideas and expressing them raw and bare without the trappings of sound, voice, elaborate sets and costumes stretched my imagination and creativity.</p>
<p>It also made me learn about myself. I learned real team work. I lost inhibitions I didn’t know I possessed."</p>
<p>yes, losing inhibitions is definitely a benefit of participating in Boal! It gets you out of your head and into the moment!</p>