The Training Begins

June 21, 2013

Day one, drama training.  Today marks the 20th anniversary of my first summer drama training in the Marshall Islands.  Although the summers have tapered off to one every few years since the 10th anniversary, the experience still engages and entices me.  And after my first training day, discovering that this 20th anniversary edition will require me to revise my methods and previous understanding of this place is even more thrilling.  This group of trainees, though exhibiting some of the expected shyness and reserve, also demonstrate a desire and thoughtfulness that is a sea-change from the past.  I relish this change and look forward to the challenges this will present me.  For today, two lovely occurrences. One, the intensity of focus on developing action-based scenes demonstrating how action helps define place.  Such detail and joy in the collaboration.  Every group discovered some rich moment that engaged and gave insight.  Two, while asking me questions, the group discovered that I wrote a book on Marshall Islands’ Legends.  One already knew of it and volunteered to bring it in to show.  She admitted that she has read the volume ad enjoyed.  What an impression the islands have made on me (and I on the islands, thankfully)