I stumbled into TAPS 0030: “Introduction to Acting and Directing” during my fall semester of senior year after a friend randomly mentioned the class to me. I had previously acted in a middle school play, and enjoyed the creative and fun aspects of it, though I’d never taken an acting class. After an amazing first semester, I decided to continue and take TAPS 0230: “Acting.” After an entire year of acting classes, I realized that these courses offer far more than public speaking skills.
Many classes at Brown train you to be analytical, but acting does the opposite. While designing one’s set and blocking scenes requires careful thought, the acting “thought process” is based on trial and error. Having been accustomed to making decisions based on the predictions of models as an economics concentrator, I initially found this process highly confusing. However, I’ve come to realize that this style of thinking is beneficial in life beyond the stage. Analytical thinking is useful for solving problem sets, but far too many of us lack the skill of trusting our gut. In class, whenever someone asks what the best way to play a character is, the immediate answer is to try it and see how it feels. After trying different variations of a character’s emotions, I found that the answer lied in my gut — every time. Research has found that this impulsive, unconscious and automatic thinking is improved through acting, and is critical for processing stressful situations that are bound to arise in life.
A similar mental skill that I’ve found to have developed through acting courses is the ability to live in the present moment. Numerous studies have illustrated how anxious Gen Z is, with one study finding as much as 50% of our generation suffering from anxiety daily. The same study found that the most common topic that caused anxiety was thinking about the future. Every day of acting class, we start with a sun salutation, a bit of yoga and sometimes tai chi. I’ll admit, I was a little weary of what I’d gotten myself into at first. But this tradition — as silly as it might seem — actually contributes to lower anxiety, and has become one of my favorite parts of my day.
I’ve also found that acting has allowed me to understand myself better — a true life skill that has far greater importance than any career training. Though you are playing a fictitious character in a scene, acting illuminates one’s true ticks and vulnerabilities. Whether it’s instinctively crossing your arms and legs or laughing when nervous, acting allows you to work on these aspects of yourself that are driven by deeper discomfort. With the support of your peers, vulnerability becomes the norm, and embracement replaces suppression. I’ve found that this vulnerability has allowed me to become more comfortable in my own body and mind.
Finally, acting has taught me how to be truly self-motivated. Since Brown’s acting classes are mandatory Satisfactory/No Credit, one only gets out as much as they put into the learning experience. I have found that with other courses, much of my motivation to do well stems from a desire to score well on an exam or essay — some version of external motivation. But with acting, there is no numeric score or rubric. Through having the discipline to spend week after week rehearsing with a partner and memorizing lines, one develops grit. Grit may not guarantee success as an actor, but it is a significant predictor of success.
I’d always planned to use the Open Curriculum to explore outside of my primary interests of economics and politics, but never imagined it would lead to me playing Zip Zap Zop or Taxi every week. Brown’s unique curriculum encouraged me to take that leap, to commit to the journey I had always wanted to embark on. We’re lucky enough to go to a school that encourages such exploration — it’d be a shame if the full potential of the Open Curriculum went untapped.
So take that class you’ve been waiting to fit into your schedule. It may just end up being your favorite of your college career.
Batisse Manhardt ’26 can be reached at batisse_manhardt@brown.edu. Please send responses to this column to letters@browndailyherald.com and other columns to opinions@browndailyherald.com.
