Reflections On My Weaknesses.

 It's been four months since starting my drama degree, so far the experience has been fantastic, from being high to being low, working with different people, learning my strengths and weaknesses.
I would say overall I need to improve my teamwork skills, I believe that in rehearsals I am positive and show willingness in helping with performance, however when it comes to the live stage show I can be selfish. During our naturalism showcase I had the responsibility of setting up the stage to support my piece of drama, however I did find it difficult to do this, I found myself consumed with my role as Nina in The Seagull, I found it difficult to channel in and out of my emotion which is why I insisted that one of my classmates should set up the stage.  Reflecting this behavior has taught me I should be strong enough and willing to look after my own performance, I think it would show others and myself as a professional actor/team member.
I have also been reflecting on the community focus project, looking back now, I was good in rehearsals, leading the warm ups, helping with the devising process, however I did not contribute in any prop making, I did not help with any shopping for the restaurant's food. Considering I was only playing the jazz singer, performing three songs, I did have time to help organise props, however I did not contribute as much as I should of.
My punctuality needs to improve, to be on time is important, it shows responsibility, willingness and professionalism. After writing all this it is my duty to set myself this target of improvement overall in teamwork, this will only benefit myself as a person within the arts and outside. I want people to want to work with me as it inspires me to work with others.
One will only receive once one has given... 

Valentines Day-The Show with the Community Focus Group

The day started with a tech run, it was great to be involved with the lighting, Nick allowed us all to have a say on what we thought of each backdrop to set the scene.
We also had new sounds to work with too, a creaking door sound which was heard each time a new customer came through the door... These little bits and pieces really do add so much to an overall performance. We had to run the show a couple of times which really did pull things together, though we knew things wouldn't run exactly how we planned, we had to bare in mind, all of us had to be flexible.
It appeared throughout the day that the community focus group didn't seem to overwhelmed knowing they had an audience to perform to in a short while, it was actually amazing how everyone was calm.
The main show itself was so fantastic, all the members of the community focus group truly showed off their talents, there was plenty of improvisation but that certainly entertained and gave the show an extra strength of energy. All my class mates played along with any extra script that was added by the members.
I did see one of the members get a little sad back stage after feeling their performance wasn't strong, but it was very lovely seeing my class mate reassuring the member which really did give them a boost of confidence to finish the show.
From this experience overall I feel very proud of what was achieved, it has also taught me to be flexible in unexpected situations, in regards to reacting in the most professional way to the members, be it on stage and off stage.

Breakthrough! Tuesday with Pam Fraser Solomon

We have been discussing many sides to theatre over the past few weeks, from the history of theatre, to feminism, black theatre, gay theatre, political theatre.
So far it seems I am drawn mostly to political theatre.
Most things involve politics, but on Tuesday I focused on Israel and Palestine , these current affairs are very sensitive . After watching a drama series called 'The Promise' it inspired me to question these current affairs. Our task was given with no story but to include a patriarch , a middle class citizen and a lower class citizen . 
My idea was to show the argument between Israel and Palestine , though I admit I haven't all the knowledge with this terrible situation but I have enough to show a piece of theatre, we related the characters and made them connect , each side had a fair comment, each side shared the same experience and pain, and each side confessed that nothing could be done.
Trust is lost... That was the conclusion.

All in all I feel inspired to work on this piece and improve it.

 

Community focus group rehearsals so far...

The rehearsals so far are all a little crazy, working with the community focus group is very unpredictable but I like it! It keeps a sense of spontaneity, it's taught me to be patient and calm, also its allowed me an experience of understanding how open these lovely people are. As a class I feel we are pulling through and hopefully the show will be fantastic !!!
It is very important to allow the community focus group to feel important during rehearsals, which is why we as a class have had many sessions of devising what each members character is.
As we get to know the members each week we understand their strengths and weaknesses, it has been challenging in finding the right role for each individual.
Another important key to our rehearsals is the warm up at the start of each session, inclusive warm ups are vital, it allows us to connect as a group and learn more about the members and ourselves in reaction to the members.

A poem

You just live in cotton bud fields 
Nothings real just asleep just asleep
And sun sets do lie 
And flowers don't smell
Thought I knew you well
But the snail just hides in it's shell
Forgive me my love is forgotten 
My thoughts have gone rotten
My passion is ending
These words are now sending
All my fear
I'm sorry my dear
But the sound is too loud
I'm loosing my cloud
The chants are calling out
Walk as the chief 
Walk with lions
Side by side
Into the dark into night