Intermediate Journal Prompts

Please submit through Canvas.

Journal #5: September 15, 2025

Art is communication with the purpose of empathy. Our purpose as artists is to bring our audience together in a communal feeling- all feeling the same thing when they perceive your art. Truth is just that: as an artist, you must share with them your real feelings. The truth always creates connection. But it's hard: there's a lot of stuff in the way like vulnerability, fear, non-control...

What are the Truths of your experience? What's important? What are you willing to fight for?

Looking forward to your responses in canvas. We'll chat about your responses on Monday, Sept 22.

These can be video, audio, drawing, lists, ANY WAY you'd like to respond. Find a way to keep your entries together and archived. Past students have kept a handwritten journal and uploaded photos.

Journal #4: September 8, 2025

Big generalizations here, but there's the belief that acting technique boils down to two camps: "realistic" and "heightened." Differences lie in the approach to creating a role (character). Improv asks that you use your partner to find your role right there in the moment, BUT, very often improvisers bring characters onstage.

Which actor camp do you belong in? Do you prefer to approach acting like a movie star- all of your roles are similar and based on you; or do you approach like a chameleon- your roles are creative, inventive, and frequently nothing like you?

Looking forward to your responses in canvas. We'll chat about your responses on Monday, Sept 15.

These can be video, audio, drawing, lists, ANY WAY you'd like to respond. Find a way to keep your entries together and archived. Past students have kept a handwritten journal and uploaded photos.

Journal #3: September 2, 2025

Improv isn't about having the best or funniest idea. In fact, the funniest idea is typically the mark of an inexperienced improvisor that is solving fear of the unknown by controlling everything. Improv doesn't flourish in the mind; it lives and breathes in the moment, right here, right now: it isn't funny because of its content, its funny because improv's awkward, improv's vulnerable. It's funny because you "make mistakes" (but they're not mistakes at all). Not being in control is scary, though: what if __________________ happens?

What are you afraid of? What would have to happen to get over your fear? Or, if it isn't fear, what is it?

Looking forward to your responses in canvas. We'll chat about your responses on Monday, Sept 8.

These can be video, audio, drawing, lists, ANY WAY you'd like to respond. Find a way to keep your entries together and archived. Past students have kept a handwritten journal and uploaded photos.

Looking forward to your responses in canvas. We'll chat about your responses on Tuesday, Sept 2.

These can be video, audio, drawing, lists, ANY WAY you'd like to respond. Find a way to keep your entries together and archived.

Journal #2: August 25, 2025

Improvisation has been one of my favorite art forms: it's hard, it's exhilarating, it's risky and it's so much fun. It isn't for everyone: when I started acting, I NEEDED CONTROL. I needed to walk into the circle with a good idea, or else I'd be bad. BUT- I was wrong. All I needed was willingness and unflinching support of my partner. Jumping into the abyss was easier when someone said, "let's go together."

Improv: do you like it? Are you good at it? Thinking about every time you've done improv, what is the scene or character or moment you remember of yours? How about someone else?

Looking forward to your responses in canvas. We'll chat about your responses on Monday, Aug 25.

These can be video, audio, drawing, lists, ANY WAY you'd like to respond. Find a way to keep your entries together and archived. Past students have kept a handwritten journal and uploaded photos.

Journal #1: August 18, 2025

Art is interesting and exciting, but difficult and tedious. Unlike mathematics or science, your mastery of any subjective practice isn’t based on results like correct test answers nor a concise answer to an essay prompt. Mastery of theatrical/film performance is a personal goal, solely defined by how desperately you want it. How do we get better at art? How do we broaden our expression? Clarify our messages? Champion originality over derivitives? How do we give our work a basis to judge improvement? Artists journal.

Let's start with the image of a Rose: there's the Flower, the thorn, and - my favorite - the rose bud.

Flower is something you're proud of
Thorn is something that's bothering you
Rosebud is something you hope for

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