Yes, and…

I’ve never been much of an actor. In kindergarten, I got the lead in our classroom production of “Sleeping Beauty” and I couldn’t remember my lines so I laughed hysterically from my first scene all the way through to the end. In middle school, one of my friends roped me into auditioning for a play. We rehearsed in the basement of the local library and when it came time to audition, I got the nonverbal role of Tree #2. My acting career ended that day as I declined the part. But, not to worry, there is one aspect of acting that has wormed its way into my life: IMPROV. I’m not one of those people who would dare to take an improv class. But, I have brave friends who have taken them and I enjoy improve shows like the Upright Citizens Brigade and Second City. As a result, I’ve become familiar with a guiding principle of improvisation: the concept of “yes, and…” by which the actor moves the scene along, agreeing to suggestions and adding something of their own. The improv actor doesn’t say “no.” The scene starts with a prompt from the audience and the actors work together with a common purpose of making the audience laugh. There is a risk that they will fall flat, that they won’t mesh, and that it won’t work at all—but they can’t say “no,” they have to give the idea a chance and try to improve upon it. This past year has provided a lesson in improvisation for everyone I know. We have all had to figure things out along the way and work together with open minds more than ever before. And rather than give up at every turn, we just take a deep breath, say, “yes, and…” and go on.

Stay safe and healthy,

Tracy Jacobs

Osher at Towson University presents

The Klan Whisperer: Daryl Davis

Monday, March 29 at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom

Music is his profession, but bettering race relations is his obsession. In between gigs, Daryl Davis has spent 37 years intentionally meeting with Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazi and Alt Right leaders and members. He has become the impetus for over 200 White supremacists to renounce that ideology. Not an easy feat for a White person, let alone someone who is Black. Davis will share the stories of his encounters with those who have hated him and his successful methods that have turned some into his friends and supporters.

Baltimore Hebrew Institute at Towson University presents

The Sraiah and Chana Shoubin Lecture
Hebrew Roots, Jewish Routes: A Tribal Language in a Global World
Jeremy Benstein, Ph.D.

Monday, April 12 at Noon

Why does Hebrew matter? And how does engagement with the language enrich Jewishness? Learn about the Hebrew language's role in Jewish history, identity and peoplehood.

Osher Online Book Discussion: Not in My Neighborhood

Thursday, April 29 at 3 p.m.

Join Osher members and others to discuss “Not in My Neighborhood: How Bigotry Shaped a Great American City” by Antero Pietila.

Study Tour and Retreat in Jordan and Israel
with Father Bob Albright

January 5–18, 2022

For more information and a copy of the itinerary and registration form, contact Father Bob at (410) 630-2210 or robert.albright2006@comcast.net. Note: This program is not sponsored by Osher at Towson University.

We remember Osher members that have passed away recently. While we work hard to provide accurate updates, please let us know if you are aware of an Osher friend’s passing by contacting osher@towson.edu.

• Paul Maihan