brush step shuffle step

so a group of us is taking a tap dancing class. The youngest is 12 and the oldest is in his 70s. We have one thing in common--we are all veteran actors, some professional, and a few of us are directors and theater technicians. Most of us never tap danced before but always harbored a secret longing to learn how to dance like Gregory Hines.

It started out as a lot of hot air, a bunch of my theater friends laughing it up over beers last year, talking about how we all need to get out of our comfort bubbles and become willing to make asses of ourselves. Serious actors, even amateurs, take themselves far too seriously. And we all agree that humiliation is growth-producing. So it began as idle talk. Then someone actually got on the phone and called every dance school in town (Miss Jeannie's, Miss Lynn's, Miss Judy's -- what the hell is up with all the "Miss" dance schools?) and finally found one that would take a bunch of mostly adult actors and techies on as beginning tappers.

One brave teacher volunteered to work with us--our teacher, Amy (in photo, giving David, a really accomplished director and blossoming hoofer, a few pointers). She has the patience of a saint and she seems so thrilled with our progress. And we have become something of a legend around the dance school. When our class gets rolling on Wed. nights, all the cute little ballerinas from the "real" dance classes gather around the observation windows and watch us tap our butts off. They all seemed more than a little stunned at first. Sometimes their moms watch too. They REALLY looked stunned. And some of my fellow-tappers are much older than some of the ballerina moms. Funny thing--two of the ballerina moms decided to join us this year when the fall class started up. We took a vote and decided to let them in our "special" class.

Tap has lightened me up a lot. I often find myself shuffle-stepping down the cereal aisle at the grocery store and mentally tapping rhythms whenever I hear a snappy tune. Floor surfaces fascinate me now. I cannot resist doing a time-step sometimes, even at the most inappropriate of times. I take note of potential tapping spots, long expanses of smooth flooring are very alluring now.

We just finished learning a great dance routine to "Steamed Heat." And when we strap on our tap shoes, we are all very hot, every one of us. I highly recommed tapping. If you last took a class in 1968, I am talking to you. If you always wanted to try it--what are you waiting for? Get out there and give it a try.

For those about to tap, we salute you.