Improv Games VS Freshamn Showcase

Building Freshman experience and the value


In the beginning, I honestly thought that the improv games were a complete waste of time. Because our professor is not a theater teacher she had a difficult time to convey the actual importance of the games. I finally understood the meaning and the values of the games only after Louis came in to talk to the class. However, by the time Louis had came in to speak, more than half of the semester had passed. This left a rather unsatisfying feeling towards the improv games. Had I understood why we were constantly spending 10+ minutes of our time doing silly things, I may have a better opinion on the improv games. To me, the overall value of the improv games was lackluster. I didn't know what or why we were doing these 'meaningless' games.
In terms of building a freshman experience, I don't think that the improv games did a great job. Perhaps the fact that most of the class knew each other from the first semester, we didn't really feel like we were breaking new walls to express ourselves. Having the improv games done in the first semester where everyone is a stranger may be a better alternative.

The Freshman Showcase was, to me, something with a lot of potential that had been wasted. Many groups were not graded or given any sort of compensation, which led to the lack of interest in the research that had been done; our group had the exact same feeling. However, I do not think that forcing the showcase to be a major part of the humanities grade would be a good thing either. The great thing about the showcase was that the research did not feel forced. We did not feel any sort of pressure with what to do with our topic, or what direction we should take. I feel that, in research, this is something that is immensely important. Research shouldn't be done because you were forced to for a good mark; research should be done to cultivate and seek knowledge.
Overall, the value of the freshman showcase was slightly higher than the improv games. Presenting our topic in front of distinguished faculty and other judges provided a tension and nerve that should be experienced by all students. The showcase presented an excellent platform for students to experience how to maintain strong eye contact while presenting without feeling uncomfortable or nervous.