Unit 50 - Movement in Performance Assessment

Rent Audition Pieces Analysis/Preparation

Analysis-

The songs I have chosen to sing in my audition are 'Somewhere' from West Side Story, and 'Out Tonight' from Rent. I choose to sing 'Somewhere' because I have not sang a slow song like this with legato sounds throughout. I have chosen this over 'A Boy Like That' as there are some notes in the song that I need to belt, and with 'Out Tonight' having these also, I want to make sure I do not push my voice too far and ruin either one or both of my songs. 
I have chosen to sing 'Out Tonight' because it has an upbeat tempo which contrasts to 'Somewhere' as it is a lot slower and calmer. This way I am showing more skills and versatility in a short amount of time. I also picked 'Out Tonight' because one of the parts I would like to play sings it in the show. Both of these pieces reflect my singing skills but they both push my voice to improve, showing determination and an aspiration to get the role. Specifically I would most like to play Mimi in Rent. This is because I feel I can connect with the character in that she strives to be independent, I also have never played a character with a love interest, or played the love interest myself. Mimi and Roger have a very interesting relationship and the way it develops throughout the narrative intrigues me. Playing this role would improve my confidence and ability in performance hugely. I considered singing 'Light My Candle' from Rent, however this song lacks energy for an audition piece, and the range needed for this song is quite small, therefore not displaying much of my voice. One of my main weaknesses in my singing voice is if I am nervous, my voice can become weak. This will improve with confidence. However this is part of the reason I chose 'Out Tonight', as if I am successful in playing Mimi I can track my progress and the development in my signing voice. 

Three Weeks Before My Audition-

At this point in my preparation process I still have my options open about my choice of songs, I am settled on Somewhere from West Side Story, I am rehearsing daily to ensure I learn the lyrics in time. I have been singing it along side the track on YouTube. I have also been watching the film of West Side story to give myself a better understanding of the context of the play, and also the context in which the song is performed. This is developing my characterisation completely. I now know that Maria is singing this song to Tony, who are deeply in love at first sight. But this song is actually quite sad, as they are dreaming about being able to be together 'someday, somewhere'. I am using my facial expressions to show sadness, by frowning slightly, but as the longer notes come I imagine I am with Tony and smile as if I am day dreaming. 

For my Rent song, Out Tonight, I feel much more prepared. I am confident with the lyrics and have been singing the song with the backing track frequently. I have sang sections acapella to see if my voice is strong enough. Next week I aim to be singing both of my songs confidently accapella, with or without the lyrics to read. Much like West Side Story, I have been watching Rent ,the movie and the Broadway stage production. This is really interesting as they both show a different style of acting in Mimi's character. I also now know how i can create the atmosphere of a club alone on stage, through confidence and my eyeline. The Broadway Mimi's I have seen in videos always look up and out, but scan across the room to all of the audience. This creates a more intimate feeling even with just one person alone on stage, far away from the audience. I will do these in my audition to enhance my characterisation. 

Two Weeks Before My Audition- 

After rehearsing almost daily, for both songs I am much more confident and developed in my characterisation, voice and movement. I now regularly sing Out Tonight accapella and know the lyrics well. I would like to be more confident but considering my progress so far I will be able to achieve this before the day of my audition. I have practised my audition conduct, by filming myself as if I am walking in, and singing both songs as if it was real. Watching this back I have found that I need to use the space more, and that my voice sounds better than I expected. I am hitting the notes well, but I need to work  on my timing of breathing. To improve on this I have printed out the lyrics, and marked on the sheet where it is best for e to take breaths. I think I will struggle to remember this, and feel like I am going back on myself, after making progress, however the more I practise the better. 

Two Days Before My Audition-

At this point I am full prepared and feeling confident. I have rehearsed my song with the breaths I chose to take previously, and it has strengthened my voice massively. Although I struggle to remember sometimes, I can remain focused enough for it to not effect me too much. After performing my audition pieces in the mirror as if it was my audition, I have worked on my facial expressions and movement. I now use my gestures to exaggerate my lyrics and add to my characterisation. For example in Out Tonight, during the bridge in the sing, Mimi is in a reflective state, so I wrap my arms around myself slightly, but as this section comes to an end there is a big belting note, in which I slowly push my arms out with the note to show freedom and happiness. 

Overall I am happy and proud of the progress I have made and am confident I will get a good part in the piece, ie. Mimi or Joanne. 

Dance Devised Piece Evaluation

In my devised piece, Amber, Bryleah and I created a performance based on The Lion King, The Circle Of Life. We chose this because we wanted to base our dance on animalistic movements such as flexed feet and aggressive angles. I based my solo section on big cats, like lions, tigers and pumas. My starting position was on the floor, in a hunting style of pose. The rest of my solo included movements such as a plié into hitch kick, this showed the precision but also the stealth of my animal. Another example of our African inspired movements was a section all three of us did on the floor, we had our hands in fists and slammed them on the floor, then up and back down. We repeated this when standing on two other occasions throughout the piece. Using repetition in this way added to the dynamics of the piece, it is also relevant to the African tribal theme, in that is created a sense of chanting. We also used more graceful movements in unison, to represent other animals in the animal kingdom. I had the idea to create bird like movements, by moving our arms in a graceful manner, as if we were flying. This created a contrast between the types of movements in our piece, showing a range of dynamics. 
As for my contribution to the piece, I initially suggested we look at tribal dance videos for inspiration, below are some examples of this- 

Tribal Dance Inspiration Video 1
As shown in this clip the men each take a turn to do the jumping movement, which gave us the idea of the solo parts.
Tribal Dance Inspiration Video 2This second clip shows how effective fast simple movements, unison and slower paces sections can be although we don't have such a bit group.

I also suggested our formations, I wanted to make sure our dance had an interesting visual effect, as if we as a tribe were in tune with ourselves. Transitioning between formations shows this well. Using cannon also displays this, which we used at multiple times throughout. This was especially effective when performing in cannon, then doing one slow movement to catch up, which we did after a short unison floor motif. This floor routine was created as an ensemble, I feel it is important to use levels as much as possible as it allows us to showcase our skills in both travelling motifs and floor motifs. I also highlighted this in my solo section, by starting on the floor. I used techniques such as extension and I used a fish roll. The final section of our dance was mainly choreographed by myself, I used a grand arm movement into a high energy and dynamic plié into impressive floor work. Doing this arm movement on the line 'it's the circle of life' demonstrated the meaning of the song well, as it is also the title. It showed that life goes on and the world keeps going on in that circular formation, doing it in unison showed that we all have our own world but we all must keep at the same pace together in that. 
Throughout the piece I used my physical skills to demonstrate my characterisation as a tribal animalistic being. I used extension during the floor section of my solo motif to imply that my animal is stretching in a hunting fashion, as if I was a predator. My flexibility allowed my to create my starting position, on the floor with one leg stretched out behind my, with a tall strong posture in my back as if I was proud, also giving me more status. I focused on my co-ordination to develop my skills during the rehearsal process, I had difficulty perfecting the stag jump we do in unison, and my balance and posture helped me keep a strong core, so that i could use my flexibility and strength to perform this successfully in the final performance. 
Interpretive skills such as my eye line helped me to keep focused throughout the dance, this specific skill also kept my facial expression specific. I looked straight ahead, above my audience whilst performing. This helped me to visualise the animal I was portraying at each part of the dance, and my facial expression remained either angry, or concentrated, or weak. One for my Cat like predator character and the other when I played animals such as a stag, or bird, as these are more likely to be hunted. My physical projection helped me a lot to remember the dance itself, throughout rehearsal I made sure I was performing with full energy, this kept the routine in my head, as it made me feel like each run through was important. 
One weakness I noticed upon watching my piece back, was my first movement in my solo section, my left leg was not fully extended, meaning my had my knee bent when I performed my fish roll. This made my performance seem less skillful and under rehearsed. It also effected my momentum as I felt myself loose focus. To improve I will practice this move in front of a mirror, so I can specifically straighten my leg, and pin point where it is I am going wrong. To ensure I maintain my focus, I would run this section multiple times, whether I mess up or not, so that I know I will always continue. A strength or my piece was the second half of my solo section. This was my first time choreographing a solo dance and I had trouble coming up with ideas, and also remembering it. Videoing rehearsals helped with this, but in my final performance I remembered it well and performed it with confidence. These performance skills are important as it allowed me to remain professional throughout. I feel my solo section was innovative, using the floor travelling sequences and tricks throughout. Another weakness that I would work on was our transitions as a group, we choreographed the ending first, then our solos then the middle part, which made it quite bitty. I would like to have used our skills or a smoother method to bond these parts together, rather than having to merge in an unnatural way. Transitions such as rolls, leaps, complex hand motifs and stretches/reaches towards each other with contact work would've been mich more effective and fitted better with our stimuli, or African tribes and the animal kingdom. One more strength of my piece was the difference in pace we used, creating an unpredictable dynamic, a characteristic I took from animals. Specifically we used slow reaches throughout the piece, in parts upstage and downstage, showing a progression or confidence in our characters. It made our faster sections seem a lot more impressive and refined. 
To improve, I would refer back to our stimuli more, by including more African inspired movement. I found it difficult to combine tribal movements with contemporary dance, because I didn't have enough research for influences. For example I struggled to choreograph material, but if I had used traditional genuine tribal dances I could have taken inspiration from them. This would have made our piece more accurate and innovative, due to the originality of the movements I would have found. Another improvement I would like to have made would be my exaggeration. Some of my movements were not full committed to, making my performance seem unrefined. For example I had to take three fast steps into a crouch onto the floor, I could have suggested we make these into long strides or runs to add to the energy and help myself to commit to the movement. This also allows my focus to remain on each individual movement, instead of what as coming next. My general extension in the piece was good, but could've been better. To improve upon this I would record myself rehearsing alone, then repeat each movement to an extreme exaggeration, so that I get used to full extending and putting all of my energy into the dance. 

Chorus 3 - Fate

This chorus represented the struggle and relevance of the chorus in the play. We demonstrated this through the movements we did. We split it into two sections, and each half of the chorus had movement. My half was the first, and as we said our lines we acted out going into the middle and collecting food or blankets, and then huddling around the edge of the stage, but not in the trench. This displayed the cities people suffering and how the royal families troubles are effecting others. The dialogue itself shows how envious the chorus is of others that are not going through what they are. I felt it was important to show that they are clearly suffering and we wanted to show this as clearly as possible. I decided to mime having a blanket, and huddle on the floor after my  line. The other group came together in the middle of the stage to show they are supporting each other. At the end of the chorus we split into threes, repeating round by through, creating strong positions for the person in the middle.

For the final section of each part of the dialogue we said the lines in unison, emphasising the dialogue to the audience. Using direct address in this way allowed us to connect with the audience more and immerse them in the story. After this, we positioned ourselves in trios at the edge of the stage facing out, repeated a sequence of Round By Through, making strong, proud poses. This demonstrated the chorus' purpose and strength. Finally, for the last few lines of this chorus we delivered them as a whole ensemble to the audience- 'Mother to daughter, father to son, wave upon wave of affliction. Shake the house, shake the house of Oedipus.' This is repeated throughout the chorus, making it an important line. We used our increase in volume and numbers towards the audience to show us uniting. I see the dialogue we say itself is talking about how the chorus are envious of people not suffering in the way we are. I will keep this meaning in my head for the performance, This type of meaning shows the development in the chorus and shows how initially they don't have a voice, and a the piece goes on we develop this confidence and maturity in the situation. I think this because when around the royal family they follow their lead and are civilised around them, however when having choral isolated scenes they announce their part and how they feel about the other goings on in the narrative.


Later on in the rehearsal process-
We have decided that due to our Round By Through idea stopping the energy of the piece we are going to repeat the 'See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil' gestures in our trio positions. I feel before, the round by through manipulation had a different dynamic which didn't fit with the meaning of the scene. I think these positions are far more effective, because they suggest that the chorus have to pretend they do not know what is going on in the royal family, and they are also more recognisable to our modern contemporary audience, therefore the meaning is clearer.

Chorus 2 - Wonder Is Man

This chorus follows the first guard scene in which I, as my other role as the guard, explain to Creon that someone has buried the body of Polynesis and therefore breaking his new law. It is very dramatic but the cities people aren't quite involved in this issue yet. The chorus dialogue here is describing the land and how man has wondered it, but we will never fully understand it, and it depicts some of the harsh but wonderful aspects of nature.
As there are 10 of us, and 5 verses, we split into pairs and took one each. We wanted to keep this chorus simple to contrast with the previous one, so we decided tat starting from the trench would be perfect, and we walk to the centre of the stage, deliver our lines to the audience and walk through them to the back of the seating at the top of the hill. Then for the final two lines of the last verse, we all walk back to the stage through the audience again and come together, before returning to the trench around the stage. Using direct address to deliver our lines makes the audience connect with the chorus more as we are seen as a relatable device which the audience can connect with as we help with the narrative. Also, moving through them immerses them in the production more and allows us to use traditional staging to its full potential.
I was paired with Holly, and we had the 3rd verse. We decided to split the part evenly saying alternate lines, this creates a slightly more intimate atmosphere as the lines are more even.

Chorus 1 - War And Victory

In this lesson we focused on the first chorus, we split it into groups to tackle each part, and worked on the last section as a whole chorus. This way we could have a difference in choreography in small groups, and then a section together, which demonstrates to the audience all of the chorus' purpose.
Jaydee, Rosie and I looked at the First paragraph-

This part describes a vague setting on the play, it tells about the natural happenings of the city in a visual way, whilst suggesting that it is grand and to be feared-  'Drove the Argos amry's might from the seven gates of Thebes'.
We wanted to use our physicality to demonstrate each line, so we began raising our hands in the formation of a triangle to symbolise the rising sun. We chose a triangle to take the Brighton Open Air, amphitheater style of staging, ensuring all of the audience can see. We also wanted to use levels to create a variety, so we started on the floor on our knees. Another clear example of physically showing the scripted lines was our final position, we stood in the trio back to back out to the audience with our arms in crosses above our heads as if we were blocking something out, and this strong position implies that the city of Thebes is is powerful.
The last section in this chorus that we all worked on together, had more of an obvious rhythm to it due to the repetition and rhyme. Therefore we wanted to make it musical in some way. We considered the harp but we want to use this for the main scenes to add to the atmosphere as much as possible, using our bodies in some way adds to the rustic feel and had a stronger beat to it. We decided on bodily percussion as this would be more original, we split the sections of clapping and stomping into groups which was very effective as we joined in cannon and as the volume increased it created an effective musical piece.

Concept Improvisations

In this lesson we looked at our concept, which in summary is that there has been a national disaster, creating a futuristic post-apocalyptic world. The chorus with symbolise the displaced refugees and the royal family will be representing the government figures. We explored both of these classes of people through improvisation workshops with different stimuli. 

The first workshop was focused on the refugees, in groups we were given a scenario; we as refugees have been deported in an unknown location, and we need to set up our camp. We chose roles within the group, I was a woman looking for her husband, we had two young girls and a man who was alone. During this exercise we had to tackle tasks such as building our tent, making fire, sharing out our food and trying to find loved ones. We had to interact with other groups in different spaces to ours and interact in the appropriate manner. I tried to take a leader role in my group, as I felt that someone would in this situation, I was not too confident as I wanted to show that they were scared and uncomfortable. When connecting with other groups I tried to ask for names and create conversation that would be uplifting as possible. This was really helpful as I could look at our concept in a practical way and gain a better understanding of it. I was able to link this to our piece, as the chorus will be like this. I am going to use this in my performance to interact with the royal family, when being told that there was food available or to make tents I felt genuinely excited and ambitious, looking up to the leader. 

The second workshop was about a higher status of people, in these same groups we created a dinner table situation, I was the mother, and we had a husband and three children. This was slightly easier to portray as we in this day have a better idea of what its like to live a rich life as apposed to a displayed life. I had a proud posture and and spoke with a snobbish voice, I spoke about things that cost a lot of money and turned my nose up at something I didn't agree with. I used very smooth and relaxed movements, in contrast to the fast  flinching movements of the refugee characters. 

These exercises gave me a better understanding of how my choral characterisation is going to form, ie- bad posture, flinching, small hand movements, timid facial expressions. The things I can take from this and use in my performance are how to interact with other chorus members, the royal family and how the royals with more power themselves are acting and feeling.