A friend of mine who, like me, is coming up fast on her 50th birthday, started a new hobby last year. Competitive bodybuilding.
My friend has always been athletic and fairly competitive, but this was unexpected. I don’t even try to keep up with her diet anymore when I meet her for a meal; she’s entirely cut out some things, but she eats a whole lot of others. She looks strong, and she places in tournaments. Not bad for someone who had never stepped on a competitive bodybuilding stage two years ago.
I admire her, and not just because she throws around the kind of weight that would send me immediately to the chiropractor. The older we get, the harder it can be to try new things. We get set in our ways. We know what we like. We get better at saying “no,” and not as good at saying “yes, and.”
In this issue, I wrote about the SOFLO LOCO Improv Comedy Festival, which is coming in late September to the Main Street Theatre.
One of the main people behind the festival, which will feature both improv shows and classes, is Fawad Siddiqui. He’s an actor who’s been on television and film. He’s also the leader of Main Street’s in-house improv company, Short Round. And he’s
someone who had never considered improv, or acting in general, until he stumbled into an improv class years ago after noticing a flyer while going to see a movie on Main Street.
Siddiqui talked about how improv is an inclusive artform, how it works when you say “yes and” to your acting partner. When the other person on stage with you offers a concept, you don’t say “no,” you say “yes” – and then you add your bit onto it by saying “and.” “We’re knights” becomes “We’re knights, and we’re on the field for the Dolphins.”
It’s easy to say “no.” We’re busy, we’re tired, life is hectic. But sometimes, it’s worth it to say “yes, and.”
Heck, sometimes it’s just more fun.
Siddiqui is positively evangelical about the benefits of improv; if you’re looking to give it a try, this upcoming festival looks to be a great place to do it. But of course, there are so many “yes, and” activities out there. Another friend of mine bought his first skateboard several years ago. He was in his early 40s. For awhile he was the oldest newbie at the skatepark by about three decades, but he didn’t care. He was having fun.
In fact, I may also look for something new and fun. Although I think I’ll leave the bodybuilding to my friend. I also say “yes, and” at places like Vicky Bakery too much for that to be an option for me.
You can reach Laker editor and publisher Erik Petersen at erikp@miamilaker.com