A Grand Experiment by Kanome

A Grand Experiment by Kanome - March 2021 Scholarship Essay

Stacy Parker Joyce entered the first day of my Voice & Movement class in all-black attire with a brightly colored bandana wrapped around her bright blonde hair. She gently asked us to sit in a circle, her soft yet piercing blue eyes creating a sense of wonder and terror. She was brand new to the Theater and Dance department at Missouri State University, and we were her first class. Ever. She had not taught in academia before and expressed that we would be a grand experiment in her transition to this world. She told us that we would spend our time rolling on the floor and freeing our natural voice. She declared that much of her curriculum will not make sense and that many of us may loathe it for much of the semester. Her only request, she posed, was for us to be brave. There is a difference between challenge and compromise, she said. Challenge yourselves by staying present amid new explorations so that you can grow as people and as artists. However, you cannot sacrifice your spirit in the process, so feel free to step away from any assignment or moment that might cause you harm, she concluded. I felt peace wash over me, surprised at the strength of my nervousness since I was also new to the acting program. Her approach opened a path to the next three years of my undergraduate career, where, through her classes and mentorship, I built a steadfast internal compass etched with the values of vulnerability and joy.
Stacy created an open space of expression from the beginning. We always began class in a circle, and each person, including Stacy, performed a check-in. Every person started the check-in with this statement - "Today I feel." She tasked us to use active emotional language to release our minds and bodies of the knee-jerk response to hide our feelings. In performing that check-in, my peers and I were free to show up in whatever emotional state for that class. That consistent opportunity for vulnerability allowed us to build community and trust in lasting ways. Stacy also stayed transparent in her emotions of the day. That act reminded us that she was more than our professor and helped us keep her accountable yet, also provide grace. I have continued to use this check-in framework in all of my collaborative projects, both artistic and not, and it has never failed to create a close and brave team.
Stacy's joy was infectious. She was the first to laugh at herself for any mistakes or mishaps. She was the queen of spilling coffee on the corners of our written assignments or her clothing. She always watched our performances with awe and a smile, giving us the confidence and courage to play. I once asked her how she managed to stay so cheery for all of her classes throughout the day. She remarked that she could do it because she chose to do so. She maintained that it was her responsibility as the teacher to uplift the energy of a group. No matter the situation, if she could infuse joy into any process, the pressure of result mattered less. I had never experienced a person with such awareness and control over their emotions. She inspired me to dive into my growth to develop the ability to, like her, choose the emotional experiences that I wanted.
Stacy Parker Joyce was instrumental during my artistic and personal development as an undergrad. She modeled the values and behaviors that she desired for her students while finding time to stay messy and silly. She always prioritized the care of our bodies and minds, remarking that each time we harm ourselves, we deprive others of the opportunity to experience our purpose. Stacy is a beacon of calm, clarity, and joy as a professor, and I was privileged to have her as a role model and guide during such a transformational time in my life. She continues to serve as a mentor, colleague, and friend to this day.