Encouraged to Write

My English teacher Dr. Fergusson sent a post card to my parents when I was a Junior at Irmo High School. In it, she said the last essay test I turned in contained some of the very best writing she'd ever read by a student--high school, college, or grad school.

Needless to say, that got my attention.

No one had ever told me I could write, let alone encouraged me in the pursuit. Dr. Fergusson did. And it changed my whole perspectve...on the world and myself.

Before I call myself a "teacher" or "Drama coach," you will hear me call myself, "writer." (Thanks, Dr. Fergusson.)

Respectful people are encouragers. They can't help it. They understand what it feels like to be encouraged and they want to see others feel the same. Respectful people don't let jealousy or pride get in the way of a compliment. Respectful people honestly encourage, and in return, recieve respect back.

MUST SEE FILM #37: The Elephant Man

It plays like a child's fairy tale gone horribly, horribly wrong. This 1980 film by the master of innocence-lost, David Lynch, is a must-see for anyone who has ever felt left out or misunderstood.

You guys will soon learn that I am a big Anthony Hopkins fan. And I love this performance. It's the first truly great screen role of his career. His Dr. Treves is textured, subtle, totally likable and utterly dispicable, too.

And John Hurt as Merrick (aka Elephant Man) manages to pull of an amazing feat under all that makeup. He brings Merrick to life. Makes him human. At once repulses and attracts you. Be forewarned, he's creepy-looking. Hard to look at, actually. But stay with him. Notice Hurt's performance under that mask.

I saw John Hurt act in a one-act play at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston several years ago. He had just sold Harry Potter a wand as Mr. Ollivander in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. (He was in V for Vendetta most recently.) So he was pretty famous. But he wasn't too big to play the hell out of Andrei in Brian Friel's Afterplay. He was still working it--just as he did in The Elephant Man.

A lot of you guys will dig the whole David Lynch-weirdness thing. Others will see him as a total freak and would run from every Twin Peaks episode, screaming. Still, you should know his work. He's an important American filmmaker. The Elephant Man is a great place to start. If you find the film too creepy, follow with Lynch's The Straight Story. If you think that The Elephant Man is cheesy or not scary enough, I dare you to see Blue Velvet or Wild at Heart.

"Kick and thrash at the shark."

One of my absolute favorite books is the US Army Survival Manual. It's a reprint of the Department of the Army's field manual about surviving the most unsurvivable of conditions.

Though there isn't a chapter on how to survive teaching high school drama, there are fascinating chapters on water procurement, wildlife for food, firebuilding, signaling, weather forecasting, even poisonous snakes. This is a must-have beach read, let me tell you.

Essentially, this book is the book of how to be prepared for the unexpected. They could have titled it, What to Expect When You Least Expect It. (But then, that would be an amazingly cool title...and I think the military prefers straightforward to clever.)

As we learn about respect this year, you will hear me talk about the fact that students, teachers, actors, designers must always come prepared; ready to work, ready to engage, good to go.

How do you prepare for a drama class? Prepare your body, first: don't show up hungry, be dressed for action, have a pencil in your hand and socks under your shoes. You must also prepare your mind: be ready to think, ask questions, consider and debate. Students who prepare their bodies and mind for class will excel. They will be ready for anything.

Which is good...because in this drama class, you should expect anything.

“Go ahead, make me self-disciplined!”

Self-discipline. Yet another key to understanding and demonstrating respect. The most difficult, the least popular element of respect. Yet absolutely essential. Here’s why.

When you cannot control yourself, your actions, the words you say and when you say them...if you let bad habits, carelessness, laziness become you, you disrespect yourself. And when you disrespect yourself, it is impossible to respect others.

The professional theatre, the film and television industry, music, gaming, fashion, art, dance, et al...these pursuits require uncommon amounts of self-discipline. Actors, writers, directors, designers...each of them find ways to focus and commit to their jobs, to work tirelessly, to study and learn...to respect their craft and those who collaborate with them.

Clint Eastwood—Oscar-winning actor, producer, and director—says this: “Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power."

I’m looking for students who are capable of bringing powerful performances to my stage here at J.L. Mann. Without question, it will be those individuals that demonstrate self-discipline—work hard, study, ask questions, rehearse-rehearse-rehearse, learn their lines, keep their bodies in performance shape—who earn the right to have the most challenging roles, the most exciting on-stage (or backstage!) opportunities.

I’m telling you guys, this respect stuff...it’s what I’m all about!

"If I only had a Nickel..."

Enthusiasm. It's the part of respect that most people forget. Though respect is sometimes quiet, I think it's mostly jumping-up-and-down energetic. Respect is happy, joyful...not dour and bland.

Chris Thile (see picture, left) plays the mandolin like no one else on this planet. He's technically astounding...perfect, even. But when you see him play, it is his enthusiasm that makes him unforgettable. Chris has such a respect for his instrument, his music, his audience that he cannot help but play the strings off his mandolin.

You can hear Chris play with his band Nickel Creek (at the Peace Center, September 21) or solo. I saw him play Largo in L.A. a year ago. He came on--a surprise guest on Jon Brion's bill--and blew everyone away. I've also seen Nickel Creek play live. Chris was terrific then, too.

If you're wondering what kind of students I'm looking for...what sort of people I'm going to let carry Mann Show 2007...the kind of people who earn As in my class, look no further than Chris Thile. Match his enthusiasm (just come close), and you'll get no complaints from me.

"I is what I is, not what I ain't."

One thing I keep hearing about teaching at Mann is how I have to be tough with the students early on. That they have no discipline. That they need more of a drill sergeant than a teacher. Frankly, it's a little intimidating because--though I am an actor--I really don't know how to fake being who I am.

I am a pretty enthusiastic, intense guy. I get very passionate about my students, and nothing pisses me off more than their apathy. Energy, noise, exuberance, even obnoxiousness I can work with. But "who cares?" That makes me crazy.

You guys are going to experience a very different kind of class when you're with me this fall. It will be fun, but extremely challenging. Some students will think I'm a total hard ass. Others will think I'm easy. As long as everyone respects each other, we'll get along fine.

Respect starts with KEEPING IT REAL. That means being yourself. Not faking, putting up a front...posing like you is what you obviously ain't.

So. Coach White. What I ain't? An easygoing, sweetheart of a drama teacher who can't wait to see you guys strut your stuff in SOUTH PACIFIC. What I is? Professional, passionate, in-your-face, hilarious, high-energy, smarter than you... and probably more respectful of you than you are of me.

"Hello. My name is Coach White."

Radical changes are in store for the J.L. Mann drama program.

First, there's me; Coach White. I don't do drama like anyone else. To me, high school drama is all about RESPECT. Respect for others, for yourself, for the theatre. In that order. So get used to hearing me talk about it. There's a whole lot of respect talk coming your way.

Also...when it comes to producing theatre, I believe our plays should rival the state championship for excitement. I think they should be of a quality equal to most college theatre. I think the plays we produce should be about important ideas. In short, I think what we produce for a paying audience should be totally kick ass...muscular...brave...important. With your help, I guarantee you will see such a production this coming spring.

Stay tuned for more cool stuff...I plan to announce the title, audition and production dates for this spring's Mann Show right here...on this blog...sometime in early December. Also, students who check in with this site will very often recieve answers to bonus questions on tests, recommendations for the absolute coolest movies, links to hot sites, and the most up-to-date information. For instance, did you know that students will be able to letter in Drama beginning this year? It's true. Want to know what our new theater at the New Mann will look like? I plan to post the architect's drawings right here. Anyone see SUPERMAN RETURNS? Did you dig it? I did. But for reasons that may surprise you...

So. Keep up with Mann Show 2007. I'll keep you down with Mann Drama.