A Peculiar Stance; Not Quite Recollection #3

In class today (you know, the Acting: Movement class this blog is done for), I noticed something very interesting about the stance of everyone in the room. Whenever we were doing the exercises, such as walking or running or acting like rubber bands, there were a few people who would go all out and look like fools (and invariably fulfill the requirements of the class by doing such), some who would do what was asked, and some who did something that vaguely resembled what the exercise was asking for.

However, as soon as the exercise stopped and we were to listen to the instructor, nearly every single person would fall into a uniform stance of crossing their arms and watching the instructor intently. Sure, there was a number of people putting their hands on their hips, and the odd one or two people whose arms hung like wet spaghetti, but I am serious when I say almost every single individual would, at the instant we started being taught the importance of the exercise, would fold their arms and gaze at the teacher like he was about to lead them into a solemn prayer.

At first, I thought this bizarre. Then I noticed that I was doing it too, and I immediately stopped calling it bizarre.

Actually, I remember back in high school, in theater classes and during productions, when the teacher/director stopped us in the middle of doing something, and we broke character for a moment to listen, I remember doing and watching others do the exact same thing.

I'm starting to think this is an actor's subconscious habit or some kind of unspoken superstition that, if we are only breaking character for a moment, we are to cross our arms and close the body, lest the emotional connection we strive so hard to gain slip out through the cracks in our theatrical pen. Crossing the arms must be the key to some mental lock.

That, or we are all conformist, and we are all crazy.