An empty stage, spotlight blaring. Red curtain or brick wall
adorning the back. Smaller venues come with clanking glasses, a low din of
familiarity and conversation. Larger showcases bring in an ambiance of fervor
and an energy of expectation that is palpable. No matter the size, a comedian
comes to the stage with one intention: to make people feel something. To get their audience to laugh.
Some stand-up's are extraordinarily successful because they are relevant and poignant. Others fall flat, generally because they are not genuine, in other words they try too hard and when comedy is forced upon an audience- it often does not gain the response the comedian desires. Being honest, and authentic means everything.
Some stand-up's are extraordinarily successful because they are relevant and poignant. Others fall flat, generally because they are not genuine, in other words they try too hard and when comedy is forced upon an audience- it often does not gain the response the comedian desires. Being honest, and authentic means everything.
Some stand up comediennes tell
a story or anecdote- one of camaraderie and relatability. They have a 1st
story, an act out or elaboration, then a 2nd story to bring it all
together. These bridge the gap between concepts, make the bigger picture more
meaningful. Sometimes though they ad-lib, as the jokes unfold, new ideas pop in
and flesh out the set.
They pause and take a beat for effect. They use a callback to
bring back a set-up from earlier in the routine. They reinterpret target
assumptions. They end with a capper or rapid fire of jokes to bring the set to
an end. They need to make it memorable. Just like a hook in the classroom,
comediennes use cappers to close or open a routine.
Some comedians use hecklers and crowd work to engage the audience.
Make connections with individual guests, create a collaboration in the storytelling.
Really good comedians have a timing, a cadence and that is how they lure their
audience in and keep them engaged. Eye contact, use of props and stage presence
all impact the success of a stand-up comedienne.
The stage is their canvas and how they choose to add the paint and
landscape is unique to the personality and point of view, of the performer. Some comedians use
profanity, others choose to keep it clean. Some talk about current events,
others keep it more light weight and approachable. This is why some, skyrocket
to the mainstream, while others stay near the fringes.
The Classroom Stage
I was listening to a podcast with Jerry Seinfeld yesterday. As he
was describing stand-up comedy, I was seeing its relationship with education
clearly.
The set-up, the routine, the story-telling and humor. The relatability and presence. The use of the space, the cadence and choice of flow. The working the room and banter. This is all part of creating relationships in our classrooms. We might not have choice of certain topics, controversial language, or crude vocabulary- but we have complete control over how we present content and build relationships.
The set-up, the routine, the story-telling and humor. The relatability and presence. The use of the space, the cadence and choice of flow. The working the room and banter. This is all part of creating relationships in our classrooms. We might not have choice of certain topics, controversial language, or crude vocabulary- but we have complete control over how we present content and build relationships.
Jerry mentioned the ultimate goal of comedy is to make people
laugh. Then connecting with them is secondary. Of course, in education it is
all about relationships and trust. If our students trust us, feel our respect
and admiration towards them- they will fully buy in to our ‘routine, or set.’
They will respond with engagement and hopefully some laughs too.
Teaching is not easy. Those who have not stepped in front of a
classroom of children on a daily basis, have no idea how challenging it is.
Every day, every class period is different. Some days you are so excited about
your content and you have written the lesson plan, even rehearsed it many
times- but it falls flat.
Other days you are winging it because of technology issues or
class disruptions and somehow- everything comes together, and it ends up being
a memorable day. Memorable because of the spontaneity and organic semblance of
problem-solving and discussion. It really is a beautiful experience to partake
in.
Every day, teachers enter the stage, not with a red curtain and
microphone as the focal point, but with a chalkboard and classroom posters.
With desks and tables, bad lighting, tile floors and rows of backpacks. It
might be a totally different vibe, a unique layout, but the purpose is the
same.
Make connections, build relationships, engage with authentic,
genuine storytelling, an uncovering of oneself. To create a venue of dialogue,
with some monologue. To be present and focused on being meaningful and
relatable. Relevant and purposeful. If a teacher is focused more on themselves-
they will bomb. If a teacher is not ‘real’ not ‘accessible’ and honest- they
will lose their audience.
The Comeback
Some comedians fall out of favor. Their jokes become stale and outdated.
They need to revamp in order to be relevant. Some teachers do the same. The
comeback is only possible if there is a lot of listening and observing. If it becomes
less about success or popularity and more about relationships and connection- a comeback or reimagination is possible.
No amount of fun activities, exciting labs, banter, and funny
conversations will make up for a lack of genuine connection. If we feel like we
know where the comedienne is coming from- if we laugh because we ‘get it’- we
will remember them.
If teachers are not just mindful and kind, but also humble, honest
and above all else willing to share their struggles, display their flaws and
talk honestly about their failures and successes- they will be remembered.
It is not just with an intention of being liked that teachers should enter a classroom, it should be with the goal of bringing a classroom together as a community of storytellers, learners, and self-advocates.
It is not just with an intention of being liked that teachers should enter a classroom, it should be with the goal of bringing a classroom together as a community of storytellers, learners, and self-advocates.
A classroom is very much a stage. A platform where every aspect of
your personality, attitude, behavior, body language, speech and demeanor are
brightly lit. Where your words mean so much, but your physicality and
mannerisms do to.
Students notice everything. We are the emcee to their moment of expression. We are the applause to their realizations and growth. They are the guests to our lesson. We are the observer of their growth and curiosity. Together they are the most beautiful arrangements of learning there is.
Students notice everything. We are the emcee to their moment of expression. We are the applause to their realizations and growth. They are the guests to our lesson. We are the observer of their growth and curiosity. Together they are the most beautiful arrangements of learning there is.
We are coming back to a different type of show. Venue to be
announced. Our cadence, authenticity and relationship building will be the
precursor to our ‘set.’ Our strength as educators is our respect of the craft-
our craft. We have the skill to execute our ideas, not just possess them. We
have the adaptability to pivot and reframe our understanding of the curriculum
and the delivery of it.
But it will take rehearsal, rewriting, reframing and a reimagining of our why. Wether in the classroom or on-line we have to merge our strategies. We have to ask a lot of questions. We have to trust our instincts.
But it will take rehearsal, rewriting, reframing and a reimagining of our why. Wether in the classroom or on-line we have to merge our strategies. We have to ask a lot of questions. We have to trust our instincts.
We are educators and like comedians/comediennes we are fearless.
We are passionate. We are willing to take risks. We understand our audience and
stay true to ourselves.
This fall, these traits will be only part of our playbook. The rest will come from collaboration and experience. We will all be headliners on our classroom stages- I can hear the crowd get quiet, I can see the spotlight focus, are you ready?
This fall, these traits will be only part of our playbook. The rest will come from collaboration and experience. We will all be headliners on our classroom stages- I can hear the crowd get quiet, I can see the spotlight focus, are you ready?
I grew up being the family comedian. Relieving home tension was my self-appointed job. I was good at it, and everyone appreciated it.
ReplyDeleteWhile I joke around in my classroom often, I have matured into the position of Emcee, helping my students shine in their own creative rights. Now, rather than claiming the spotlight all of the time, I help others shine. Sometimes banter between teacher and student will get everyone roaring. Other times I'll do a set up so that a student can share a story they already told me. Obviously, it isn't always humorous, either. My classroom is a variety show. Some students are excellent artists. "Can you come up here and show everyone how you did that?" the Emcee asks. "You should see the writing process that so and so used to produce an excellent piece of writing!" the Emcee exclaims, when a shy student doesn't wish to burn under the spotlight. You can illuminate the fruit of students' achievements, gifts, and work.
Emceeing is not simple. Similarly to comedy, there is cadence and timing to this art form. At times you are a curator of comedy. You don't want to showcase everything.