Lesson evaluation 30th April

Pa evaluation –
1)what important discoveries were made during the rehearsal?
Within todays lesson our aims were to re-rehearse and finish my scene (the bedroom scene).  We also had to teach this to Jess as she had missed the previous rehearsal. The duets were flowing much quicker and easier (linking into one another) unlike last rehearsal when there were pauses/gaps in-between and long pauses. Originally I had found a poem for Claudio to say (two lines to each Hero) within the duets however we all agreed that these words were spoken best through the movement – the passion and love portrayed within the duets was enough to convey the ideas and feelings of the poem.
The task was then trying to devise the ending duet- I wasn’t sure how I wanted to portray this . I needed to show the separation and pain that Claudio and this Hero went through- how their relationship suffered. Megan suggested that we could use the red ribbons again, where I would manipulate and control Claudio.  

This proved really difficult and didn’t really make sense- why would Claudio try to reach out to the death Hero when he has already shamed the love Hero? Instead I will cut this section, as I love the ending of the ‘love Hero’s’ section- separated with their backs to Claudio (arms wrapped around themselves). As the death Hero I will run towards Claudio, pulling him up from the bed by his arm – trailing black paint. Claudio will be left lying on the bed vulnerable and weak. This then gives my character a proper intention – its as though I’m reaching out to Claudio and leading him/ persuading him to follow me (commit suicide). Whilst this happens, the love Hero’s will still be surrounding Claudio after I leave, leaving Claudio to question and consider his next actions.

2)what led to those discoveries?
Although we had originally decided to work through Georges depression scene alongside the bedroom scene, we thought it would be better to complete a scene (so that we can rehearse it without stops/gaps and with ‘full performance’). Through doing so and putting the time into this, we were able to discover what works and what we need to change e.g. the final duet. We had to also take into consideration the time limit – how long we had until the performance (this gave us an indication as to how we should be using our time- using as much time as possible to get the piece complete).

3)towards where do these discoveries lead?
Now that we have essentially finished this scene, me and Nicole started looking into the props and costumes that would be needed. This included dresses (for the Hero’s) -where we could get the cheapest/most efficient/most practical dresses (within our production budget).  We also started researching into powder paints (that are non-toxic) and will wash out the dresses, ready for the next performance.

4) consider questions No. 1-3 except focus on important roadblocks/dead ends
particularly within todays rehearsal, we need to ensure in future that we come to rehearsals focused and ready (prepared) to work straight away. Our attitude towards rehearsals at the moment is too laid back considering that our performance is in less than 3 weeks! Although it seems as though we’ve got a lot done e.g. have at least a piece of movement or dialogue for each major scene. There is still so much that we haven’t filled in e.g. the transitions, main speeches/ pieces of dialogue etc. that needs to be devised in order for our piece to link together and start coming together as a whole piece.  

5)reflect on dramatic action and conflict. How’s it going? What action does this suggest?
Within my scene there are two conflicting emotions- love and anger. Through the music, the dancers are led on a journey- building to a climax point towards the end where the second emotion is introduced. The performance begins with more positive/hopeful emotions e.g. Claudio believing in the chance that Hero could come back to him and reminiscing of the happiness within their relationship. These emotions completely flip when Claudio sees the death Hero- he suddenly snaps out of this love illusion and starts blaming all the love Hero’s ‘she knows the heat of a luxurious bed’.

7) reflect on the journey of one or both of the actors with whom your working. How’s it going? What needs to happen next?
I feel that Meg was really focused today, she seems to be leading our group and understands the importance of rehearsals! We have very little time left to complete our show – yet we have so much more still to devise! We all need to be focused in rehearsals and each pull our weight (contribute as much as we can!).

8) what was the most important thing that happened (or didn’t happen) in your recent rehearsal? Unpack its importance.
Although we had lots of potential rehearsal time, I wasn’t happy with the little work that was produced as a result. Its great that we have now finished the bedroom scene however there is still lots to do e.g. the transitions into and out of the scene, rehearsing in the actual performance space, use of powder paint, use of props – the bed! Etc. it worries me how much we still have to do!

9)what is the most important thing that could happen in your next rehearsal? How will you shape the rehearsal in order to increase the odds of that ‘thing’ happening?
As mentioned before, the most important thing that could happen in our next rehearsal will be to come ready for rehearsals ‘focused attitude’. We need to move on from the bedroom scenes now and start devising or re-capping the major scenes. Once we have these main scenes done and completed we can work on the transitions- linking together (this should come last).