I am, by far, the oldest person in my Second City improv class. I honestly don't mind. Age doesn't come into consideration much when you're playing theater games. (Plus, the teacher was older than me, so it was ok)
Then last week it happened. We were debating where to hangout after class and as I packed my bag, the rest of the group began talking quietly amongst themselves. The result?
"We'll need to find a restaurant - not everyone is 21."
Uh.... what?
Not only is "not everyone" under age, half the class needs fake ID's.
I said how we can still go to the pub across the street as planned - they do have food. In their eyes I saw fear. I was that adult their parents had warned them about. The person who would corrupt their teetotaling ways and lure them into the world of corruption and day-drinking. The young ones were terrified.
I quickly recovered by suggesting other restaurants on Wells St. and we were off with no permanent harm done.
But ohmygod... I knew these kids were college age, but it never occurred to me they'd yet to hit one of adulthood's milestones. One even has their twenty-first birthday this week!
I firmly believe that diversity makes us stronger, so we continue to bond over our commonalities and inform each other on our differences. I told them what microfiche was after it was suggested in class and in turn, I'm part of a 'group text' which is more like a continuous conversation than an easy way for people to tell you they're running late.
Many of my new, young friends will return to college after our class concludes in August. I'm curious to see if my next group is as diverse in age. ...I hope they are. It only makes our time together more interesting.
Cheers!
