<p>Hey everyone! I've been reading these boards for awhile now but finally decided to make an account and post. In the fall I will be a first year (transfer) theatre student at UW Milwaukee's Peck School of The Arts. I was lucky enough that because I had so little credits from my old school that they allowed me to transfer into their BFA Technical Production program. My biggest concern is that all theatre majors, regardless of emphasis, have to take 2 acting classes. I was wondering if any other techies have had to take acting and how they dealt with it? I understand the importance of taking these classes, but I have literally lost sleep over it. I am most definitely not an actor, hense why I work in production! I understand this isnt a top theatre school I will be attending, but I'm still worried I'll be surrounded by people who know what they're doing and I'll just be lost. I'm hoping someone else has been in my situation and can offer a bit of reassurance. Thanks all!! :)</p>
<p>As you say, ALL theatre majors, including the techies, are required to take these two classes. So there will be other techies like you in your class.</p>
<p>And I would assume that the two acting classes are the easiest, most basic, “acting for dummies” classes. Nobody will know what they are doing. The folks who already know all this stuff will have gotten permission to skip these classes. These are the classes where you are supposed to ask about the things you don’t know about.</p>
<p>And acting classes are not stressful, they are fun! Usually, you spend most of your time playing silly games.</p>
<p>And you will meet the other students in the theatre program. The actors and directors that you will be working with on the projects you will be doing while at school. One time when I was an undergrad director, I was in real need of a lighting designer, and I ran into one (not quite literally) when he was being led around the building blindfolded by another student, that was that day’s silly game in the acting class he was required to take. (even though like you he was a techie, not an actor).</p>
<p>KEVP</p>
<p>I agree with all of the above and I’d add that it will help you as a techie to see the stage from the actor’s point of view.</p>