2008 Woodie Awards
Beginning actors get a taste of the jitters
'You learn how to not hold back and just let everything out,' student says
Michael Pasaoa
Issue date: 5/8/08 Section: News
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Faisal Omar, a sophomore aviation major, said he took the class because he knew it was going to be fun.
"You shouldn't get nervous when you're acting," he said. "It's an easy class."
Long, who said she has been teaching the class for 11 years, said she has taught people who start out terrified of standing in front of anyone, including one of the students who performed Wednesday.
"She would shake uncontrollably she was so nervous," Long said. "She was lively and delightful today.
"Whether she goes to entertainment or not," Long added, "I think she's more grounded and representing herself and her ideas."
Long said students have switched majors after taking her class.
"They decided that the engineering degree their dad wanted them to have was really not the way they wanted to go," Long said.
Some students said they learned to have more self-confidence.
"You learn how to not hold back and just let everything out," said Jonathan Churchwell, a mechanical engineering major. "You can get the difference between acting and actually becoming the character."
Rachael Sylvis, a freshman art major, agreed.
"It's a big confidence builder," she said. "It's nerve wracking, but after a while you get used to it."
One student said his adviser told him the class would help him learn about himself.
"I learned I'm not trying be an actor," said Andres Vargas, an undeclared freshman. "It makes you find your identity when you have to play the role of other identities."
Bernita Dillard, a junior business administration major, said she had previous acting experience and didn't learn much more than she already knew.
"It's because I'm a natural performer," she said. "I've been performing since I was young."
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