I just graduated a “Level One” (read: newbie) improv class. At first, I signed up for the class because I can think of few thing scarier than getting on stage with no script. I’m not known for thinking on my feet, I don’t “BS” well, and even when I know my lines, I get terrible stage fright.
So I made myself go to this class as soon as I knew I’d have eight free weekends in a row. It took about four years to get up the courage. I’d like to say that it also took some time to get the admission fee together, but of course the $200 went on a credit card (technically it came from the $800 that would otherwise have gone toward paying down the credit card, but the net effect is the same).
I didn’t have an extra $200 to take that class, but man, was it exciting. I had to deal with strangers, criticism, bad accents (most of them mine), and a basic requirement of acting in a scene where 1) you don’t know what you’re going to be saying, and 2) you also don’t know what the other people will be saying.
I didn’t think I could do it, but after eight weeks, we put on a show, and darn it if the audience didn’t laugh and cheer.
So, I figure, the class was 3 hours every weekend, for 8 weeks, for $200. That’s $8.33 an hour to have a creative outlet, learn to think on my feet, and re-learn to perform in front of strangers. I think that’s a reasonable price.
I still don’t have an extra $200. In fact, I’m still about $6,000 in a credit card hole, but I signed up for Level Two, anyway.
Published or updated October 12, 2009. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to the RSS feed or receive daily emails. Follow @flexo on Twitter and visit our Facebook page for more updates.
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Luke Landes founded Consumerism Commentary in 2003 and has been building online communities since 1990. Luke, also known as Flexo, has contributed to PC World Magazine, US News, Forbes, and other publications. 
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats! That certainly does take a lot of nerve.
One thing I’ve always admired about improv actors, is there ability to find the humor in the most serious, difficult and humiliating parts of their lives. I think learning how to do that, is definitely worth $8 an hour.
Smithee:
The personal finance and self-responsibility advocate in me says you should have waited until your finances were better positioned. The self-improvement advocate in my applauds loudly! Way to go!
The best way to address fears and weakness, I believe, is to dive right in. I use to be scared of snakes so I bought a Burmese python. My writing is weak and a source of embarrassment for me so I started blogging. Most of us are in denial regarding our finances, only by getting engaged in building your lifetime wealth can you grow your money and as a person.
The world would be a better place if more people would take on their fears like you have, you are an inspiration. Good luck in level 2.
The personal finance person in me says that you need to figure out what the interest on not paying down that $200 is, and add that to the cost of the class ;)