From New York to Vancouver, and now to Nakusp, Lisa Dery continues to offer theatre classes as a vehicle for positive change.
After her family’s rental unit was put on the market, they decided to make the move to Nakusp, having visited the village in the past and falling in love with its picturesque views and warm people.
“It’s been a fundamental shift for our family, more quality time together, more time outdoors doing recreational things we couldn’t do in the city,” said Dery.
Initially, Dery was able to offer larger theatre classes that included improvisational games, breaking down what it means to be a character and the arc of a storyline.
When it came to teaching improvisation, Dery said that people can often be nervous when they’re worried about saying something on the spot.
However, with practice and “riding the wave of what the impulse is,” Dery said that it “often leads to a lot of laughter because people are often funnier when they embrace discomfort and roll with it.”
While Dery’s in-person classes haven’t received the funding needed to continue presently, she is still offering her one-on-one classes via Zoom. Actors looking to improve their skills often study with Dery, but she also noted that folks looking to improve their public speaking skills also take her classes, as well as those who feel a creative calling.
“Acting is not only about the end result and performance but also about empowerment in our self-expression,” said Dery.
Besides running her classes, Dery is also involved in Naskusp’s theatre scene and will be acting in Shakespeare by the Shore in June.
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