Insiya Mohamedali, Grade 12
UWCEA Arusha
Theatre class is probably the most unarguably creative classes that has taught me to intertwine spirituality and knowing of the self.
I walked into the drama room, same as I always do, prepared to play some warm-up games, my personal preference being an improvisation acting game.
I was caught off guard when I was asked to leave everything outside the door and come inside with a chosen partner. The six of us theatre kids, all paired up, walked inside with no knowledge of what was to come next.
We were told to find a space in the room as a pair where we could move without coming in contact with the other pairs.
The instructions given were to touch our partners’ wrists with our wrists - I know, odd isn’t it?
Once our wrists were touching at a comfortable angle, we closed our eyes and were expected to move together in synchronicity. This was difficult as my eyes were closed and the only thing I could feel were my partner’s wrists.
My partner would move to the left and I would move to the right and our wrists would detach. We started again at the starting position, re-touching our wrists and then we closed our eyes. This time, I wanted to spin, so I did, my partner hadn’t sensed this so again our wrists detached, by this point I was getting really frustrated that we weren’t moving together, so the next time we started again, I squinted a little so that it looked like my eyes were closed but I could see my partner and the move she was to lead with. She went for a sway, nice and simple. I swayed with her, finally relieved that we caught up with the rest of the class, even though I cheated.
However, I’m pretty sure my teacher noticed because she kindly called us out, indirectly saying the following “There is no rush, it’ll take some trial and error to feel one with your partner finally, take your time and close your eyes!”
After A LOT of trial and error, we finally got it. We were learning each other through our senses. It eventually just became a dance. It felt romantic and soft.
I was learning how to use the space blindly and with only my sense of feeling. Due to the movement being so slow and delicate, the quality of our movements were enhanced. I could feel the presence of not only my partner but also my other peers across the room. I could feel so much energy exchange. It felt like the six of us were one.
After the experience, I felt calm. I felt connected to my partner. It felt as though she had taken a tremendous weight off of me. With no exchange of words, somehow I felt excepted fully as I was. I felt like a dark blue hole or as though I was sinking peacefully into nothingness. It was such a healing experience.
To this day I still don't know what this exercise is called or why it worked? I just know that my theatre teacher sensed how stressed the class had been that week and planned for us to take time out of her teaching to just let go. It is for that reason that UWC produces students who go far and change the world. Not only are we taught course content and theory, but we are also so taught how to manage ourselves emotionally. This activity wasn't a task given to me to do at home whenever I felt stressed, it was practiced during class time. My teacher showed me that she cared about our mental health and that we were a priority before anything else.
I walked into the drama room, same as I always do, prepared to play some warm-up games, my personal preference being an improvisation acting game.
I was caught off guard when I was asked to leave everything outside the door and come inside with a chosen partner. The six of us theatre kids, all paired up, walked inside with no knowledge of what was to come next.
We were told to find a space in the room as a pair where we could move without coming in contact with the other pairs.
The instructions given were to touch our partners’ wrists with our wrists - I know, odd isn’t it?
Once our wrists were touching at a comfortable angle, we closed our eyes and were expected to move together in synchronicity. This was difficult as my eyes were closed and the only thing I could feel were my partner’s wrists.
My partner would move to the left and I would move to the right and our wrists would detach. We started again at the starting position, re-touching our wrists and then we closed our eyes. This time, I wanted to spin, so I did, my partner hadn’t sensed this so again our wrists detached, by this point I was getting really frustrated that we weren’t moving together, so the next time we started again, I squinted a little so that it looked like my eyes were closed but I could see my partner and the move she was to lead with. She went for a sway, nice and simple. I swayed with her, finally relieved that we caught up with the rest of the class, even though I cheated.
However, I’m pretty sure my teacher noticed because she kindly called us out, indirectly saying the following “There is no rush, it’ll take some trial and error to feel one with your partner finally, take your time and close your eyes!”
After A LOT of trial and error, we finally got it. We were learning each other through our senses. It eventually just became a dance. It felt romantic and soft.
I was learning how to use the space blindly and with only my sense of feeling. Due to the movement being so slow and delicate, the quality of our movements were enhanced. I could feel the presence of not only my partner but also my other peers across the room. I could feel so much energy exchange. It felt like the six of us were one.
After the experience, I felt calm. I felt connected to my partner. It felt as though she had taken a tremendous weight off of me. With no exchange of words, somehow I felt excepted fully as I was. I felt like a dark blue hole or as though I was sinking peacefully into nothingness. It was such a healing experience.
To this day I still don't know what this exercise is called or why it worked? I just know that my theatre teacher sensed how stressed the class had been that week and planned for us to take time out of her teaching to just let go. It is for that reason that UWC produces students who go far and change the world. Not only are we taught course content and theory, but we are also so taught how to manage ourselves emotionally. This activity wasn't a task given to me to do at home whenever I felt stressed, it was practiced during class time. My teacher showed me that she cared about our mental health and that we were a priority before anything else.
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