Memorable Graduation Advice From the Stars32 of 38
Jane Lynch to Smith College's Class of 2012:
"'Yes, and … ' is the vital and only rule of improvisation. Never deny your fellow actor. You should be willing and able to accept whatever your fellow improviser throws at you. Use that as your jumping off point and expand it. 'Heighten and explore,' as we call it.
As you travel through life, in these many years ahead, I guarantee that you will come upon countless times in which the last thing you're going to want to say is 'Yes, and … ' You will experience loss, heartache, the death of a loved one. You'll probably have to say goodbye to a lover. You'll experience rejection, maybe even have to deal with a bad diagnosis. You'll age.
The trick isn't to avoid these times or pretend they're not happening; you can't. What you'll need to do is step up to them courageously and embrace them. Allow these experiences to permeate your being and weave them all into the fabric of your life. They will not only soften you and strengthen you, and you will open your heart to compassion."
"'Yes, and … ' is the vital and only rule of improvisation. Never deny your fellow actor. You should be willing and able to accept whatever your fellow improviser throws at you. Use that as your jumping off point and expand it. 'Heighten and explore,' as we call it.
As you travel through life, in these many years ahead, I guarantee that you will come upon countless times in which the last thing you're going to want to say is 'Yes, and … ' You will experience loss, heartache, the death of a loved one. You'll probably have to say goodbye to a lover. You'll experience rejection, maybe even have to deal with a bad diagnosis. You'll age.
The trick isn't to avoid these times or pretend they're not happening; you can't. What you'll need to do is step up to them courageously and embrace them. Allow these experiences to permeate your being and weave them all into the fabric of your life. They will not only soften you and strengthen you, and you will open your heart to compassion."