To Act or Not to Act

Our “post-modern” world is taking on the ambience of a cattle farm: ads are on the air now for Mirapex, a pill to treat restless-leg syndrome; “possible side-effects” include a gambling or sex addiction. Meanwhile, the antibiotics fed to today’s actual cows keep them calm. When’s the last time you’ve said “fuck it” to the eerie hysteria of the 21st century, and to that identity you drag around like a sandbag, and pretended to be someone else, somewhere else, for a change? Because you can: Enter scene, acting.

Beginning today is the Actor's Workshop of South Florida (Sugar Sand Park Community Center, 300 S. Military Trl., Boca Raton). In the school’s words, it shows people “how to get to the truth.” Jane Kelly, the instructor and an actress of 25 years, says she’s seen lives change and deep friendships emerge over the eight-week course. It teaches improvisation, relaxation, and voice skills, along with the formal theories and methods of theater. The group comprises 15 or 20 people, mature teenagers and up. It won’t do anything for a Jimmy Leg, but it could well take that bovine feel out of this modern life. It might even be better than Zoloft. It happens every Monday, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Cost: $150. Call 561-347-3900, or visit www.theactorsworkshop.org.
Mondays, 6:30 p.m., 2007