Show evaluation 26/6/15

Here is an evaluation of what went well in the show, what problems I encountered, and what improvements I would make. 

1) CONTEMPORARY GROUP

I think in this piece Tierney and I worked well together to stay in time with each other. The three person walkover went well but I think it could have been more smoother, however this was hard to do as it came so quickly in the dance. I think I performed it well be having a sort of menacing look about me and in the backwards roll I made sure to have a sort of painful look when I reached towards Tierney. 

2) ROCK N ROLL

I am happy with how the rock n roll piece went and I think we all fed off of each other's energy levels to increase our individual performance. The only problem we encountered was that I started to feel really faint during the double cartwheel and Shannon and I only just made three of them. I think we disgised this quite well.

3) ACTING 

After the last run through I was worried that I would forget the lines again, however the only problem I encountered was a small unnoticeable stutter on my beginning sentence. After that problem I made sure to keep good diction because that is how my character would speak. I think we all had high energy levels and performed it the best we had eve done. When we got to Comberton we realised that we left our props back at college, however I solved the problem by suggesting to use a mobilephone instead of a magazine, which worked just as well. 

I feel that I connected more with the audience and looked out to them. I could tell they were enjoying it because they were laughing at lots of bits, which really boosted mine, Imogen's, and Amber's confidence.

4) BALLET GROUP

I think the ballet group went really well. I made sure that I used enpaulment to enhance my performance. I also kept my feet pointed, knee caps pull up, and legs turned out. I also made sure to watch the girls through my peripheral vision to make sure that I was in time with everyone else.

5) STREET GROUP

I think this piece went really well and it was the best that I had ever performed it. I made sure to use lots of face and I tried to bend my knees more on the sections that needed that style (truffle butter). I think my best style was "work you better work" and "bang bang" as I think I suited this style more. I found it difficult to apply Kellys's correction that we should look at each other more because we were constantly moving about and dancing really fast, however I made sure to look at Maddie and Imogen as they walked round the back to join me for the end position. I encountered a small wardrobe problem where the bandana fell down my arm and ended up on my hand, however I was able to hold it and over come the problem. As an improvement to this dance, I think I should've been stronger on some of sharp moves, which I found hard to do because I'm more of a fluid dancer. This is what I will need to work on to improve my street in the future.

6) MY SOLO

I am so happy with how my solo went and I have gained a lot of confidence from it. At the start I was nervous that I would forget the choreography, however once I started, the choreography just flowed and I didn't even have to think about it. I think I portrayed a character who is in pain and is upset really well and I could feel my energy increase and moves get sharper as the song built.

7) MUSICAL THEATRE GROUP

Before today I had problems with giving a strong performance in this howeve ri think this was the best I had ever performed it. I still think I could have been  even more aggressive and have even more energy, howeve I think I have made a huge improvement from the rehearsals.

8) CONTEMPORARY DUET

I really enjoy doing this dance and I think Millie and I worked really well to feed off of each other's energy and expressions. We made sure to look at each other throughout the dance to make it looked more like a duet and not two solos. I am not happy with my beginning but because my mind went completely blank and I started on the wrong leg. I hope this wasn't noticeable as I was still coming in from the side so not everyone would have seen it. I think I picked it up well and was able to give a strong performance.

9) SINGING TRIO

I feel that this was the best I had ever performed this number and I made sure to listen to what Kelly said and I used much more hand gestures and facial expressions to tell the story. I could've definitely feel myself acting as the character and really enjoying the song. I didn't struggle at the end of my solo where Imogen and Maddie join in this time because I made sure to apply my corrections that I gave myself and I went into my head voice earlier so that I was definitely on the correct note. I think this piece has given me a lot more confidence to sing on my own and I will put myself up to do more things like this in the future.

10) MODERN GROUP

I actually enjoyed this piece in the show and I feel that I did well in showing a sort of arrogant and confident performance. I made sure to watch my spacing in the triangle and I feel that everyone worked well together in this piece.

11) COMMERCIAL JAZZ

I am quite surprised that I felt quite confident with this number and that I enjoyed it a lot. When it came to my solo section I felt a lot more confident than usual. To improve I think I should have had more exaggerated facial expressions and bent my knees more to suit the style of the rapping section.

12) TAP

I found it quite hard to stay in time with the music, the recordings and the girls around me at the same time, however once the music built it because much easier. I think I performed this quite well however I should have had a more exaggerated smile as I think mine was too subtle for the audience to see. I think I used my upper body and arms well to compliment my feet movements.

13) FINALE

This number went really well and I was able to show a change of mood once 'Billy' came on. I think my energy picked up more in the kick section and I tried really hard to sing a lot louder than how I usually do. I think the girls worked really well together in the fan circle and we were all aware of where everyone was so that we didn't hit each other. The it problem I encountered with this was that it was so dark that I couldn't see which chair was mine and I nearly sat down too early. I should have counted the chairs and sat down on mine but it wasn't very obvious so it doesn't really matter.

 

Show log week 9

Monday 22/6/15

This morning we had some studio time to practise our drama pieces again before we showed them to the class. Amber wasn't there so Anna had to read in for her. I found it quite difficult to imagine that amber was sitting next to me because Anna was reading infront of me. This was good practise for Imogen and I incase amber couldn't be there for the show. I feel that we performed it just as well as we did last week and we maintained a high energy level. 

After acting Kelly took us to clean the commercial jazz group number. It was difficult to do because Amber and Shannon wasn't there and it meant that we would have to spend time cleaning again. However I will use this to my benefit by getting two cleaning sessions so that I am confident as to what it is (especially the rap section). Kelly pointed out that some of us were walking toe heel instead of heel toe. I am not sure if this was me, however I will apply this correction anyway. 

Tuesday 23/6/15

In the morning we recorded the tap piece for the show. It was just me Tierney and Mary, so it meant that we had to be really careful to not go on anyone else counts in the canon section. We also had to not make any clapping noises which was hard to get used to. It only took a few recordings to do it. In one of the recordings Tierney and I were off beat at our beginning section. So that this doesn't happen in the show I will either try to tap louder on the correct beat or go with whatever Tierney is doing so that we still look in time with each other. 

After lunch we did a casual full run through. This has helped me to practise doing the whole show stamina wise. I am ok on some bits however after contemporary trio u only have a short time to get my breath back before singing trio. After comparing the contemporary group piece to the other group pieces it is clearer that it still needs a lot of cleaning so that the whole group is in time with each other. I tried to look at other people and make sure that I was doing movements at the same time as them. Millie and amber had an injury at one point so Tierney and I had to do the contemporary trio without Millie and make it seem like a duet (incase this would happen on the show day). This was a good lesson for us and gave us some practise at quickly adapting spacing and picking things up quickly. 

Wednesday 24/6/15

This morning we did a full dress run. I had some quick changes and this dress run helped me to decide what costumes I should set off stage and what costumes I should put on underneath. I took from this run that I need to remember to breath deeply between my numbers to prepare myself for the next one. I am still happy with my solo and think I show a lot more confidence when I perform it now. The only thing that worries me is the knee drop because I can't do it without a knee pad and I don't want to risk injury. As a solution Mary gave me her flesh coloured knee pad so that it was less obvious rhan a black one. After we did the finale piece, Claire came in and ran through the choreography with the song. She decided to take out the end harmony because she could see that we were struggling to remember what it was and were therefore lowering the volume of our voices. After the first run through of this dance Claire told us to raise the volume. I applied this correction and will constantly make sure that I sing loudly. After the run through we were given notes. Kelly and Mary said that we needed more energy and more smiles in rock n roll, which I will apply by smiling at Shannon and making my moves sharper and more energised. I also suggested to the girls that we should make "whooping" noises throughout the dance to show the high energy levels. Kelly noticed that none of us were connecting with each other in the street piece, therefore I will try to look at the people around me more and feed off of their energy to make it seem more of a group piece and not lots of solos. Mary suggested that in the singing trio we take out the last harmony because we can't always do it and it tends to ruin the so rn when we don't do it correctly. I will need to go home and practise the new corrections so that I don't accidentally do the harmonies that have been taken out. Kelly and Mary told me that I need to perform that song more and tell the story better. I feel like I will be able to do this on the night however I will go home and think of some hand gestures and facial expressions that I can do. In acting, Kelly told my group that we need to connect with the audience more. This is quite difficult to do as we are having a conversation between our selfs, however I completely understand what she means. I think I will look to the front on some of my scared reactions to what the girls just said and I'll make it like I'm telling the audience the monologue (instead of Imogen and amber). Kelly also said that everyone needs to perform more in the contemporary group piece, so I will practise it next time with a more menacing and darkened feel to it. 

In the afternoon we finished and cleaned contemporary. There was one bit at the end that is really hard to get into because it comes really quickly after the barrel roll. To solve the problem I suggested to Tierney that I hold on to her upper body so that I can move it the same time as mine. I also struggled with my move at the end where I roll down to the floor and back up, therefore I decided to not go down as far so that I will be able to get back up at the same time as everyone else. 

Thursday 25/6/15

This morning we did another run through and I tried to apply all of my corrections from yesterday; I smiled more in rock n roll, I looked at the audience more in acting, and I used hand gestures and facial expressions to tell the story more in singing trio. Kelly and Mary said that I had applied these corrections well and they could see an improvement from yesterday. I am also getting used to doing the quick changes now and I'm feeling less stressed about it. At the end of the run through Mary and Kelly decided it make the contemporary trio and deut between me and Millie because Tierney was having trouble with the choreography. This was a big problem for Millie and I because it meant that we had to re-choreograph and re-space some of it. We used the next studio time to do this. Everything seemed to work out fine up until the second verse because originally, we did canon movements on the three repeated words in the lyrics. Since there was only two of us we decided to take this canon out and I suggested replacing it with a three part movement (legs kick up into handstand straddle then slide through arms). Millie and I worked really well togethe to re-choreograph something in such a short space of time and I think, throughout this process, we listened to each other's ideas and incorporated them to make something of a joint effort. I now need to go home and practise this so that I don't forget it for the show. 

Friday 26/6/15

In the morning is students had to pick a finale 'bow' song and choreograph something to it. We were able to work as a team to come up with something simple, fun and something we all could agree on. I suggested using the song "bills" because we all liked it and it was upbeat and modern. 

Then we headed down to Comberton, set up our costumes and did a practise run through without costumes in the stage. This was really useful as we were able to see what costumes we should set off stage, and what the spacing was like. I encountered a problem spacing-wise in the contemporary duet and rock n roll semi group. In both pieces we ran out of room (Shannon and I couldn't do the cartwheels all the way in rock n roll). I solved the problem in contemporary by just doing the last few moves on the spot, but now I know that in the real show I will need to travel the chennes less. I messed up my lines in acting due to nerves, so I made sure that I re-read them and rehearsed them lots backstage. Overall, the last run through went really well and I am feeling confident for the show, but just worried about a few quick changes. 

Show log week 8

Monday 15/6/15

Today in ballet we ran the ballet group piece a couple of times. Each time there was something wrong Kelly would stop the music, correct us, and start again. This was really helpful to me as it allowed me to take in new information one bit at a time, so I could remember it easier. She said I need to get my leg higher in retire it he lame duck turns so I took that into consideration and applied it the next time we dance it. 

In today's drama lesson, Imogen Amber and I had to do our assessment. I was really pleased with how it went and feel like it has helped prepare me for the show because we did as best as we could. We were able to make the audience laugh and I feel like we fed off of each other's energy. 

In musical theatre we marked the group dance and then performed it full out. I tried to include more facial expressions however I still don't feel like I am giving enough. I will continue to practise my performance for this dance because I have improved slightly from last week. Then we did the fan dance and I tried to sing a lot louder today as I was feeling more confident about being able to sing the words. I also added more energy and tried to smile more. 

In modern we ran the group piece a few times and cleaned it. During the fan kick on the floor I ran out of room, so I asked Kerry if we could solve the problem by staggering our line slightly. This gave us more room to perform to our full potential. 

Then we went over the tap group dance a couple of times. I feel really happy with tap and I'm not worried about it. I think that I need to be heavier on my feet more to make sure that every single sound comes out, because sometimes it didn't. 

Tuesday 16/6/15

This morning we did a full run through of the show. I am really pleased with how my solo went and I got positive feedback from the teachers. I feel that The contemporary trip needs to get cleaned because I could feel myself watching Millie in the mirror to check that we were doing everything on the same time. 

In today's studio time we cleaned street without Emile. As Maddie was injured, she sat down and watched it and shouted out every time she saw something was wrong. This was really helpful because, as she knew the dance really well, we were able to get the smallest of things cleaned (like bent knees on pat pat) so that we were in perfect unison. I established that I knew the dance much better than I thought I did and now I just need to work on being really strong with my moves and havin high energy in my performance. 

Wednesday 17/6/15

This morning we ran the fan dance. I am getting used to doing it in heels now and I am also getting used to using the fans. I did still struggle with how to hold my fan on the "I need you part", therefore I decided to look at how everyone was holding it and copy that. I am also becoming aware that I need to really concentrate in the fan circle to go up and down at the correct points and keep my fan attached to Millie's, because I looked in the mirror and I was a little bit slow. 

In street we learnt the beginning and end sections to complete the dance. I found it  difficult to do the movements that had punches ("miss the whole game twice") because I couldn't get the correct feel for it. I experimented with a few things and found that bending my knees more helped. 

Thursday 18/6/15

This morning we did another casual run through of all of our pieces. I can feel myself performing more especially in my solo because I enjoy dancing it so I think my expression comes naturally. I think the contemporary trio is slowly improving and I am feeling more confident with the rock n roll number because everyone said that they really like it. 

In today's contemporary Emile taught us the big dance break. This has reassured me as we are close to finishing, which means it won't be a rush next week to get it finished quickly. I was a bit slow on the turn leap section however with practise I think I'll be able to do it. Tierney Shannon and I also did a holding hand walkover. Even though I was the base and didn't do much I am really proud that  we were able to do this move. We just need to work on making it slick and a continual movement.

Show log week 7

Monday 8/6/15
In ballet we ran the ballet group piece a few times just for practise. I feel like this number needs cleaning on some bits however I am feeling positive about it being in the show. Since I had the choreography in my head I started to perform it more and act more like a 'ballerina'. This helped improve my posture however I must remember to maintain my full turnout during retire positions and keep my knees straight at all times.
In drama we started to explore movement and the physicality aspects of our characters. My character is well behaved so I made her sit politely but still acting like a 9 year old. This was quite difficult to do, however through the piece I was able to feed off of the way Imogen and Amber made their characters sit, and I did a less exaggerated version of that. We also used props for the first time, but since we didn't have many (magazine and packet of sweets), we didn't really encounter any problems. I also tried to make my character seem more well mannered than the other two by occasionally correcting my clothing and having good diction.
Then we ran the musical theatre group a couple of times until Kelly was happy.  I made sure that I performed it more than last week by taking Kelly's advise and mouthing the words. Kelly said that this was good, however I still need to act 'nastier', which I found really hard to do. This has made me more aware that in MT I must have a lot of energy facial and physically, so I will go home and continue to practise how to perform it. I also watched other people's faces so that I could get some inspiration as to what to do because u do find it hard to exaggerate my facial expressions.
Then we ran the fan dance for the first time in heels. This was hard to do at the beginning section on the chair because I found it hard to slide into a split position with heels on. Kelly could see that we were struggling so she suggested sliding on the side of our foot, which was a lot easier. We also sang along to the dance for the first time which was difficult (stamina wise) at first. I found singing along more beneficial because it allowed me to perform more. I understand that this character is really happy and excited in the second half of the dance, so I made sure to smile more and increase my energy levels.
In today's studio time I was able to finish my solo and practise it with conviction and performance. I watched the music video and took form it that the singer was upset and in pain, so I tried to convey that aspect of it, instead of anger. I feel more confident now and whenever I include performance in this dance I feel like I don't need to think about the choreography because it comes naturally.
In the afternoon my group ran tap and then both tap groups showed their dances. I really liked the other group's dance because it was really upbeat and the moves were very impressive. This made me realise that I need to put more conviction into the way I dance the grade 3 tap number and perform it more to hide the fact that our moves weren't as impressive. I therefore tried to smile more, look up, and move my arms in a confident way that complimented my feet movements.

Tuesday 9/6/15
Today was mainly studio time all day for us to practise and finish whatever numbers we wanted to. My main worry was the contemporary trio, however Millie was busy with another number so Tierney and I tried to think of some more. We were able to choreograph up to the big chorus at the end and I had suggested putting a section in that goes round in a circle. I feel that I had a lot of input into today's piece of choreography as I thought of a chain of movements that lasted 4 counts of 8. Millie was able to join us at the end to help think of some moves that we were stuck on. I think we work well together because we feed off each others ideas and join them to make something of a joint effort. This is how I like to perform it as well; I like to look at whoever is around me and feed off of their energy and smile at each other.
After this I went into my rock n roll group and we were able to finish it (apart from a small partner section between me and Shannon which we will finish in another studio time session). It still needs cleaning however we were happy with the fact that it was finished.  I like the upbeat and cheery style of it and make sure that I smile throughout it. I think I gave good input today; I suggested that Shannon and I should try and learn a double cartwheel so that we could all do it at the same time. If we couldn't do it, we would have done a double walkover, however luckily we could do it! I just need to make sure that I don't do too limp and that I keep the momentum from Shannon's cartwheel going.
The next piece I practised was the singing trio. We are all confident on the words and tune, however some of the harmonies still aren't working. As a solution, we collectively decided to take certain harmonies out because the song is really beautiful and we don't want to ruin it with some bad harmonies. I am slightly struggling with the end of my solo section where maddie and Imogen join in because it is hard to hear the note I should be on. Therefore I decided to go into my head voice a bit earlier to ensure that I was definitely on the correct note for the harmony. I experimented a bit with facial expressions today by smiling at certain points and looking at maddie and Imogen when we come together to show a connection between our characters.

Wednesday 10/6/15
In the morning we did another run through of certain pieces for feedback and improvements. The feedback for the rock n roll piece was that we needed to have even more energy, smile at each other and stay quite close together in the spacing. The feedback for the contemporary trio was that we should change the bit where we have an accented move on the word "love" and put it on the word "high".
In singing we learnt the end bit of the finale song. I found the end harmony really hard to do, so I went on the higher on, which was much easier. I am excited for this piece now and I'm happy that it is finished musically.
In today's street Emile taught us the other sections so that they were in our heads and he went over the whole dance for people that had missed certain bits. He also clarified certain formations and changed a bit of the formation in trini demi girls, which benefitted me because it meant that I had less distance to travel than before. I am looking forward to cleaning the dance so that we are all in perfect unison.

Thursday 11/6/15
In the morning we pieced the modern groups together for the group dance. This was really helpful as it made it clearer and easier to see and learn the formations. Kerry also cleaned certain arm placements and timings to make sure that we were all doing the same thing. I tried to perform this piece more by smiling on some bits, holding my head up high and having a sort of arrogant expression on my face.
We had some. ore studio time today so Shannon and I choreographed what we were going to do in our partner section in rock n roll. We researched and tried some lifts and came to a helicopter/windmill lift. At first I suggested doing some slow flick, flick, flick, bull changes into the lift, however these were too slow and didn't match the rest of the upbeat and fast movements in the dance so then I suggested doing four quick flicks into a turn then the lift.
In the afternoon we did street again because Emile wanted to clean it so that we could concentrate on the contemporary group piece next week. I am happy that it is now finished and feel like I can enjoy it more and therefore perform it more. I find hard to perform facial in street so I tried to watch other people and feed off of their energy and expressions. I think when it comes to the night I will be able to perform it confidently, so I don't feel worried that I don't have as much energy as other people.

Show log week 6

Monday 1/6/15
In ballet we recapped the dance and started to clean certain sections so that we were all in unison. As I am near the back I made sure that I was always using my peripheral vision to watch the people infront of me, and therefore make it look like we were dancing in perfect unison as a group.
In drama we got back our script with the edited text. We ran through our lines a couple of times then spaced it out on stage. We have a few props to sort out and we realised that we need to learn our lines for next week so that we can start to explore movement and the physicality aspects of our characters.
In musical theatre we finished the group piece. I struggled with keeping up with the new choreography because it was really fast and some bits were quite repetitive but slightly different. I will practise this at home so that I am more confident and am able to perform it more next week.
In today's studio time I came really close to finishing my solo, as I did a lot of work on it over the half term. I have now re-cut the beginning speaking bit because I didn't really like it and I thought that it wasn't vital for it to be in my dance. I aim to finish my solo by next week and explore performance styles, so that I can start to show it to people and get feedback.
In modern we recapped the dance so that I could learn the end bit that I missed the week before half term.The dance is now complete and I aim to start exploring different ways I can perform it.

Tuesday 2/6/15
This morning we were given a bit of studio time to rehearse all of our numbers, and then we showed them to Kelly, Mary and the other students. This was really helpful as it gave us feedback and corrections early on so that we had time to make changes where necessary. It also made me realise that we needed to hurry up to get our number finished in time. I was quite nervous to fully perform my solo, but I think once it's finished I will have more confidence to go for it and perform more.
In commercial we recapped the dance and learnt a bit more. I think I am starting to understand the style more and get into it, however the rap section of the song might need a bit of work because I can't get used to bending my knees and not being so upright.
In today's studio time we added more onto rock n roll. I am happy with the progress we are making. We have also planned out what we will do in the next section (lifts then partner then chorus) which saves time and makes it easier when we come to choreograph next week.
In the second half of studio we also did a bit of contemporary trio. We recapped the dance and added a small section on. We are starting to struggle to think of ideas for this piece so I aim to go home and research some moves that we could use.

Wednesday 3/6/15
Instead of ballet this morning we went of all of our dances that were choreographed by Kelly. This was useful because it made the moves go into my head so now I am feeling more confident that I can perform them.
In singing we started to learn the piece that will go at the end of the show. I like this so far and can't wait to learn the choreography. We mainly just learnt the rhythm and lyrics so couldn't focus on the tempo, harmonies or the way we say it, however I will have a think about this so I am prepared for next week when we start to perform it more.
In street we went over the choreography and Imogen and I learnt "bang bang" because we weren't there when everyone else learnt it. Emile taught it to us quite quickly and I struggle to keep up in this section however I will practise it for next week. I am really enjoying this street piece because there are lots of different songs in it and therefore we get to do lots of different styles, so it suits everyone's abilities.

Thursday 4/6/15
This morning we learnt how to use the fans that we will use in our finale number and Kelly gave us a short dance to do with them. This was helpful because Kelly knew how to use them properly and therefore we were taught how to use them properly and not make the piece look too amateur. It was also good to have a practise with them before having to try and remember some important choreography for the show. I struggled with keeping the fans the correct way round and what angle I should put my hands.
In today's contemporary we recapped what we did before half term. Tierney and I couldn't remember our pairs section, so Emile had to re-choreograph it with some of the moves we could remember. This took up a lot of time and I aim to remember and practise this new bit so that we don't come across the same problem next week. To solve the problem Tierney and I agreed that she should remember the first half and I should remember the second half, so that we don't each have too much to remember when we are still trying to learn lots of other pieces of choreography. Emile also added in a lift between me, Millie, Imogen and Amber and I feel confident that I can safely support Millie and I like how the three of us work together to do so.

Singing vlog 3/6/15

https://youtu.be/wWUuycXHqXY

Show log week 5

Monday 18/5/15 to Wednesday 20/5/15

I wasn't in college due to illness. Therefore, so I wasn't behind, I researched some moves that I could incorporate into my solo and other semi groups. I also watched the videos of the group numbers so that I don't spend my next studio time recapping the dances I already knew.

Thursday 21/5/15

Today I only came in for contemporary because I had an appointment in the morning. In contemporary we learnt a lot more of the routine and started to split off into our characters with our partner (who plays the same character). I didn't really struggle with the choreography and I am really looking forward to performing this piece in the show. I aim to keep practising at home and make sure that I don't forget the choreography for when we come back after half term. I will also think about what my character is like (rapunzel) so that I can start to perform more in the rehearsals and run throughs.