The last 2 lessons

Monday we came in and rehearsed for our play. But I was being lazy and had a chill day that day.

On Thursday we had to be in at 9.00am and we had to start rehearsing. We had the first 2 lessons to rehearse when all of my group was in we went over the scene a couple of times and we made it that the two crazy russian men were drunk so it had more of the effect. I also proud of myself because I learnt my lines so quickly because I was one of the first to know them in my group.


We went over about 5 times the first couple of times we was getting stressed out because people was forgetting there lines or their cues but then we realised we need to stop getting stressed out and then when we realised that we did it and finally we got it.

Just before we performed it we went over it a couple of times so we knew what we was doing. When we performed it was so good and I was so proud of myself and my group because we pulled it through.

in some couple of lessons

I haven't been able to rehearse because most of us had to catch up work so we didnt have time to rehearse the play.

One of the lesson we did medatation which was so relaxing and made me go to sleep, it help put feet the ground. We listen to a tape she was famous for meditating and we did that for half hour and it really calmed us down, it helped some people but not others.
The 2nd lesson my teacher was being observed and we had to perform our plays to the group as an exercise amd see what other thought, we had a observation sheet and we was given someone in the class to observe.
3rd Lesson we did some games to congratulate us for being good in her lesson and then we did rehearsals.

After these sessions we didn't do many rehearsals because of our assignments that had to be given and we had to the choice because after half term we had independent study for 2 weeks.

4

The next lesson we got feedback forms and we associated with one person in another group we had to assess on them. E.G. vocal techniques, physical movement, pace ect.
I got assess by shanice and she said to more movement and talk a bit louder.

I assessed demi and I said to make sure you dont walk all the time and have a bit of pace.

3

doing the research has now helped me with my character and I have figured how to act it.

We rehearsed it and sorted out what props we are using and the lay out. We had rehearsed for the amount of time we had, people started to perform and we assessed on them and gave them feedback.

Then it was our turn to perform and i think it went really well but we had to use our scripts because we havent know our lines.

Then we got feedback I got told to just go for it.

Started to rehearse and make sure we did all the research

We started to do research on the character profile to make sure you get to know your character and you know how to play it because you need to know what your character background is.

Rehearsing is really fun and we started to doing that.

contemporary 1

We started to do contemporary plays to boost our grade of Arabian Nights. All of us was been put in groups. There are 6 groups of 2's and then a group of 5, I am in the group of 5 because we have been given 3 scenes.
Every one got different plays that Gavin gave to us and we all had to start reading through. My play was called Plasticine which is about 2 teenage boys that live Russia and they are always getting themselves in to trouble.
Characters:
* Laura- Natasha & Grandmother Voice
* Jonny- Bare Chested Man
* Charlie- Cadet
* Arnold- Maksim
* David- Lhyoka

Then we had to start reading thats when we realised that it is a bit weird and crazy.

Evaluation

We was getting filmed for the evaluation of Arabians Nights and we was being asked different questions some questions were you just put yours hand up but then some goes around in the circles. I think this was good for us because it reminded of us of our journey we went through to get to the performances and I found it really good because I remembered stuff that happened ages that I completely forgot about.

I think I've learnt alot from this project and I realised that we all have our strengths and weaknesses that we have to work on, especially when we get in to 2nd years and now we have finished this I think we have become a closer group and we have done different things.

My strengths for the evaluation was I answered a lot of questions but my weaknesses was I wasn't as focused especially because I was getting graded on it.

Performance week

19th March- Tech Rehearsal

This rehearsal was to add lightning and sound to the performance to make it better.

This was very long day but very productive we got in done in 6 hours, it was very stressful at times because we had to stop and then repeat things multiple times. I think we all worked well together and communicated with each other which was good and I'm learning about my characters more and more everytime we go over them and I can play around with them and try new things to make things better, for Ali Baba's wife make her sweet and innocent at the start but when it comes to the ending make her more powerful and show that she has more power over Kasim Wife  as she has lost her husband and my husband (Ali Baba) is higher now so she answers to him. With the Chief of Police make him more manly and sarcastic to make him more funny so he doesnt really care, and the porter and need to make more gesture and make them bigger so the audience understands.

Ali Baba took the longest to add lightening and sound because its the first story so we had to have a lot of patience and we getting quite frustrated because we have done Ali Baba so many times so everyone is use to it, by 7 o clock we was finish and I was so relieved because I was so tired, doing a tech rehearsal made me feel happy because it will make the performance amazing but I was frustrated at some points.

My strengths for this rehearsals are I focused for most of it and following instructions but my weakness was that I was getting frustrated with everything so easily.

20th March- Open Dress Rehearsal & 7.00pm Performance

The open dress rehearsal was our first live performance I think it went well, and it was very nerve wrecking but I think I should of been more focused, I was proud of everyone that they remember their lines and cues but when it got to the end (The story of the Envious Sisters) something happened in the bird scene and everyone started laughing and it was very unprofessional for all of us to laugh it was no one we should of not laughed. I felt disappointed in myself for laughing but I was glad.

The 7  o'clcok performance went really well nothing went wrong and we all remembered our lines and cue and I'm so proud of everyone making a good effort.

My strengths were I kept focus at the 7 o'clock performance but my weaknesses are when someone does something wrong I shouldnt laugh and I need to keep my focus and support them.

21st March - 2 Performance

I feel this wasnt a good than yesterday because I thought that because we thought we did good and we gained our confidence that we thought we could flyby this was one and it didnt help us, we forgot some of our cues but everyone remembered their lines which was very good. Somethings (the flats and plates) were forgot to moved or striked at some points which it didnt look good at one point especially when where they forgot to bring on the plates because Daniella, Arnold and Chloe had to stand there which made it look bad and when was going in to the Story of the Little Beggar only one flat was moved and the one was in the way but we pushed through it and it was finally moved. Our emotions and physicallity wasnt at our best especially in Ali Baba.

Our last performance I think we pulled it out of the bag was it was so good and we got amazing feedback from the audience and I was so proud about that. I pushed my self of this performance I tried different things with my characters so I could make my grade higher by using my bigger gestures in the Es Sinibad and in the story of the little beggar I tried to make him more funny and in the story (the story without an ending) I tried to be in the story more.

My strengths in these performances I put all my energy in the stories but my weakness was I didnt put enough energy at the start.


22nd March - STRIKE

A strike is part of the business side and we had to take all the set down that was do with 'Arabian Nights'.

In this session we striked everything. I was working with Becca most of the day, we up to the lightning took take the stars that were hanging off and we took them downstairs and took the string off it and wrapped around. Then clair gave us instructions to take the mats back to the dance lab and then fold up fabrics after that we put the plates to the props cupboard and then was instructed to take these white MASSIVE flats in to the theatre from the workshop to be stacked up againist wall, I was really proud of myself because I did so much and we all finished so quickly.

My strengths was when I was given an instruction I would do it straight away and get it done as soon as possible but my weakness was when we finished that me and becca just sat down.

24th March - Portsmouth

This was our first performance away from Nescot and this was very scary but good for us and an amazing experience.

When we got there we found we was performing and we all thought it was to small to perform there where was so many of us and so many props to handle so we thought it would be a good idea for us to perform outside because there was a lot of space but also attract an audience. So we started to set up and put all the props in place and then we had to give out flyers to the public for them to come and watch it and we never thought that a lot of people would come and see it and touch people hearts. We was told we need to project our voices 10 times louder than in the theatre.

For me it was an amazing performance and experience because I have never done that before and I try to make the Es Sinibad so much better because I just wanted to impress them. Sometime it was so hard to focus because there was so many distractions happening at the same time and I became unfocused at some points.

My strengths were that I have performed outside and my weakness was try and not get distracted  by all the people in the audience.

12th-16th March

On Monday I didnt come in because if personal problems and they started on The Envious Sisters I was meant to be the 2nd Sister but because I wasnt there Teri took my part and she did it and she did it amazingly, i felt happy that i didnt have to this because I would of been so scared and I had so much on my plate at that point so i was glad i didnt do it.

During the week we went over Es Sinibad to go over so we can remind ourselves of it but there was a lot of negetive energy in the room and every one is getting stressed out and no one would be co operate. When we finally finished the The Story Of The Envious Sisters we was all very tired from all the early starts and no one wanted to anything else.

When it was getting to end of the week we had polished and finished the whole play we had to just clean things and get use to flats that we was using in the performance. I felt that the first half of the performance was very good and the cues was all on time but when it gets to the 2nd Act its very slow and sloppy but it just need to be cleaned and worked on.

We got notes from after we did a run through and they was projection, engage with the audience more and make sure everytime there is a story being told and when you are sitting or standing on the sides make sure you listen and dont look bored.

I felt really tired and quite disappointed with myself because I think I should of put more effort in to and maybe give more ideas to the story but I didnt where was so much negetive energy in it I was getting fed and just wanted a break from everything.

My strengths were that I wasnt distracting people and I just did my own thing but my weaknesses are I didnt contribute anything to the story when I could made a bit more effort to it.

9th March

This was on a Friday and we had to come but it was meant to be our day off but we went in to finish the Story of the woman that wouldnt eat.  For this rehearsal I think we was doing well and it only took us an hour and a half to finish it and im happy about that. I think everyone was focused and proiductive in this.
My strengths for this rehearsals I doing what i was told to do and following instructions but weaknesses are that because it was my birthday I was really hyper and a bit distractive but it was good we got things done.

6th March

In this rehearsals as Jamie wasnt in Alex took over we going over Es Sinibad I wasnt really need for this because I knew my part and for half of that story I watch them because I'm listening to the story so I went to help Clair with Demi and Leona make different stuff for the show. I felt quite relaxed in that lesson because I wasnt needed and I wasnt worrying which was nice.

For the rest of the day Gavin took the next lesson so we went through the prologue and The Story Of The Little Beggar because we haven't been through them in while which was nice and it refreshed my memory. My strengths for this rehearsals was I was focused and didnt distract anyone and listened to instructions my weakness was that i missed some of my cues.

5th March

The Story Of The Woman That Wouldn't Eat

We starting blocking the first scene of this story and at the start i felt that I didnt like it because it was so weird and creepy. We started off in neutral and walking around like a busy market place and walking around and then Daniella starts speaking and then we start all walking out and then we start walking slower so when she talks about Charlie and Becca.
In this rehersal we was very unfocused and we werent contributing as much as every one was very drained

I feel that story wasnt as good and i think we could of worked on it more, being the ensemble i felt that it was good but I think we could make a bit more effort but I felt like a bit of plonker doing all the crawling on the floor but then I realise that it the performance and I shouldnt care because I'm the one thats getting the grade.

1st March

Lesson 1:  We started to recap on The Story Of The Little Beggar and it was so much fun and it was such a produtive lesson, I was getting quite stressed out as I hurt myself and I walked out the class as I couldnt handle it but I calmed down and went in and did my part and I enjoyed as I got to tell everyone off and I found out.

When everyone was performing I was watching them and was giving some advice but I found it the most funny and best story in the play.

Lesson 2+3 : we carried on with the Story of the little beggar and went really we started off with the scene with Demi and Joe and we found that we shoulde get someone to throw a stick to Demi so she could hit him but she couldnt so someone threw a gold plate to her and she hit him on the head with it and she thinks she kills him so she leaves him on a shop stand and then the merchant came along and the little beggar fell on him and they start doing staghe combat in the scene I gave charlie a point to act more drunk and he did it really well.

I think this rehearsal went really well because we all enjoyed because it is so funny and we all gave good ideas and contributed to it.
My strengths for these rehearsals are I didnt talk and I kept my focus the whole way through and we did that because we all enjoyed it.
My weaknesses was that when I hurt myself in this rehearsals I got so stressed out and walked out of the classroom and I shouldnt of done that I should of just sat down and had a rest for 5 minutes and then carried on otherwise it will affect other people.

29th Feb

The first lesson we straight in to recapping Ali Baba and the 40 thieves and going through the story we got to, the class sat there and watched and was concentrating at some points we was focusing on Ali Baba and Kasim (the two brothers, the main characters) so they could work on there relationship as brothers and we sat at the front as an audience to give them feedback on what they can work on.

Then we had to figure out how to kill kasim and cut him up in to 4 pieces. Jamie came up with a good idea and we all stand in a semi circle and daniella would pass a red piece of cloth to teri and they would pass it around till it got the end and then the two people at the front would cross over and around jonny (kasim) so they could tie him up and the they drag him back behind the flats. At this point everyone was getting very stressed out and it took ages for us to do it, some people walked out but finally we worked it out and did it.

28th February

First lesson we started to improve on Ali Baba and I think we concentrated on this really well because we were all on the ball and we made sure we knew what was going. We working on Ali Baba and his wife and there relationship and to make it more bubbly and the after that we worked on the 40 thieves and the captian to make them more mean and real so the audience could understand their characters.

The second lesson we started on Es Sinibad and we all had to wear mask to teach us to show our emotions with our face but with out using our facial expressions we have use out bodies because they wont see our face. We had to stand in a line and show our emotions through our body and we would have to do the emotion that Jamie would shout out.

The third lesson we kept going over the Es Sinibad to make it better but it was a work in progress but it was really well just some things were need perfecting.

My Character

I have 3 characters so far these characters are:

* Ali Baba's Wife

* Chief of Police

* Porter

Ali Baba's Wife is very air from the natural elements because she is free and loving but also can be fire because she can be quite sustained and strong of what she is saying because in the story Ali Baba's wife is free and excited but when its serious she takes charge. The efforts that she is very direct because she comes up with clever and simple and she is very dab because she is very gentle. The rhythms that she is very swing because she flows a lot and also impulse because she likes thing done strong but then flowed through it.

Chief of Police natural elements are fire and water because he is strong and determined to get things done and the story of the little beggar he is in charge of everyone who has been put up for being hanged and he threatens them and everyone is scared but then he is like water because she is very balanced and can be fair because water is exactly same all the time. The efforts is very direct because he knows what he is doing and he is doing stab because he is very sharp. The rhythms he is doin
g is impact and impulse because as i said he is very sharp but he also can be sharp but go in to gentle and soft person.

Porter is natural element are air and water because he is very free and easy going but works hard and he is water because he is very flowing and knows what he is doing and he is on a journey and so does water. The efforts that this character is direct because he knows what he is doing and h is dab because he is gentle and then the rhythms are impact, impulse and swing because he can fast but slow things down but also can be flowing.

8th Feb

First lesson we got our characters, but i will be multi rolling.
I am Ali Baba wife in the first story which i was happy about.

So read it as a class and then Gavin, Jamie and ourselves started to stage the first story which was exciting, i got told where to go and my pathway and how im getting on the stage.

Me and david made our freeze frame and the start when i walk on stage we are hugging like we are in love but Jonny and Teri which play the other wife and brother of Ali Baba are rich so they dont show the love as much as me and David do because they have alot of money.
We went through it a couple of times and it looks good already.

Tomorrow we are carrying on with Ali Baba and staging the prologue.

Targets
Is to stay in character and make sure I focus.

carrying on from what we did on 2nd Feb

Objective:
- Apply the elements work to a characters in Arabian nights and then evaluate if it was successfull or not.

So in the class we read the prologue together and then in pairs we had to match up the elements to the characters in the prologue.

Shahrazad- Earth
Dinarzad- Air
Vizier- Water
Shahrayar- Fire

Then we got put in to groups and had to perform the prologue to the rest of the class.

Gavin gave us good feedback as we made it without no jokes and we did it as the script said and we more serious and it showed the elements more.

2nd February

Objectives:
- to define what an element is.
- taking a dynamic of an element in to your bodies.

we listed the natural elements.

"We are like marble, every character is there waiting to be carved out and created"
Quoted by Leonardo Divinci

Then we started off pretending we are in a small room and trying to get out and then we started to explore and started stroking the walls starting off with our hands and then with different parts with our bodies. After that we started thinking about the elements and we first did Earth and we had to movements from love, fear, anger, sadness and happiness and how many movements we could do with it and then we did the same with fire water and air and they are all very different.

reading 1001 arabian nights

We started reading the script, I was to shy to read it but then i got the hang of it and i read many characters, everytime we finished each story Gavin told us to right one word down what we thought it was based on.
Some of my examples that i thought was jealously, envy, love and many more.

most of the times i read the stage directions as i thought i was best at that.

We read up to the end od Act one and was told to read Act two by ourselves i read when i got home and i found confusing but very interesting.

Laban

Laban Effort Graph

On Wednesday we found out the Eight Basic Effort Actions.

Dab
Slash
Wring
Press
Flick
Glide
Float
Thrust

With this we was learning how they work and they they are used in a piece of dance.

Then we did rhythms but we knew most of them because we used it in the impact of collision.
The rhythms are
Rebound
Impact
Impulse
Continous
Swing

We learnt what each of these meant.

Then Jamie gave us 3 character from  Harry Potter and we had to label them what their effort would be from the Laban Effort graph, the eight basic actions they would be and what rhythm they would be.
Then Jamie told us to do ourselves..

17th January 2012

We watched 3 different clips of dance.

Yesterday
Rooster
The Car Man

We had to analyse the clips in to different catagories. The catagories was;
Actions
Space
Dynamics
Space
Aural

The strengths analysing the clips was that I watched it and then I would spot something quickly, I could spot the the actions and aurals easier that the other catagories
My weaknesses was that it was hard to spot between the lines and sometimes I didnt understand what was going on.

Then we had to recreate a piece and choose one of the clips and create in to dance but in our own way.

My strengths for this i came up with lots of ideas for this and make it in to different levels and do different lifts.
My weaknesses were that i cant dance that well.


http://youtu.be/SqFxYj-LN_4


this is the link when we did the final performance when we created a peice on The Car Man.
We used the women moves they were elegant at the start and when it got to the end we used the men movements because they were strong and sharp.

Targets
My targets for the next time we do this is to make more notes so it will be easier to come up with a bit more choregraphy.