Who Says School Can’t Be Fun?

Many sages have noted that school, and youth, are wasted on the young. As adults, out in the world, it seems to many of us that it would be an unparalleled joy to be able to take a class in something, sometime, somewhere with smart teachers, interesting classmates and a compelling topic.

To have two teachers who are exceptionally fun and funny would just be cream on top.

Such will be the case this spring as the Taconic Learning Center offers a handful of classes, in person at Geer in North Canaan, Conn., and Noble Horizons in Salisbury, Conn.and also on Zoom. Particularly enticing is a Zoom class called “Frick and Frack in the Theater,” taught by Macey Levin and Tom Gruenewald.

I first met Macey Levin many years ago when he was teaching a one-day seminar about a favorite playwright of mine, Neil Simon. Macey was a lively, funny and engaging instructor and I have remained in touch with him ever since, enjoying and admiring many of his theater productions, particularly with his Aglet Theater Company.

Tom Gruenewald has also been involved in Aglet productions, and in a gamut of other theater activities, from acting to directing, from Shakespeare to opera to musical theater.

Join the duo for what will undoubtedly include rapid-fire improvisation and a look behind the theater curtains in their new Taconic Learning Center class.

Macey explains that, “Frick and Frack are any two people who are closely linked in some way, especially through a work partnership or strong friendship. The origin is from a famous partnership of Swiss comedy ice skaters, whose stage names were Frick and Frack. Their association lasted so long, and they were at one time so well known, that their names have gone into the language as slang or a reference to two people who work well together or get along great.”

But of course a multi-week class must offer more than just gags and camaraderie. This class will also offer tips and guidance on everything from auditions to getting along with directors.

The class meets on Zoom on Mondays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. beginning April 18.

There is no individual class fee; students sign up for a $60 annual class-pass from Taconic Learning Center and can then take all the classes they want. Registration is required. To get details and find out what other classes are offered, go to www.taconiclearningcenter.org.