Inspiration,

projects
and ideas raring to
go!

17th 21st November 2014

Games and
Exercises:
Kings Chair
Spare Chair
Musical
Statues
Musical
Chairs
Bull Dog
Stuck In The
Mud

Newspaper Project, Auditions and

Schools Tour
This week has been a journey! The newspaper project
has started to come to a conclusion and we are seeing a
really strong beginning to our Schools Tour. I am also
moving on hugely in my understanding of what is
required for an effective Drama School Audition and the
action I now need to take.

Credited:
Google
Images

Newspaper Project, Auditions and Schools Tour

17th 21st November 2014

Monday was our chance to rehearse our Newspaper pieces with Carleigh and Gav.
It was really good to get fresh ideas and input on the piece. Before we started with
them we had time in the morning to rehearse independently with the company.
This was really precious time and useful after the notes we received last week. I felt
raring to go with a new vision in mind!

Something I felt absolutely had to go were the judges and the game show feel as it
just wasn't working. I had in mind more of catwalk, where we see the models
appear and the running commentary is given as the models walk down.

The camp character that James also instinctively always turned to wasn't really
working for me. Carleigh and Gav also spoke about how it undermines the message
it the last piece so I was anxious to change that.

Another thought I had over the weekend was the opening of the piece and how we
can put it into context. What we had before was very segregated and we didn't give
the audience a chance to understand where we were. Therefore, I explored
creating a mirror with Jack being in the middle, and everyone else around him in a
semi circle, every time he moves; the rest will instinctively do so just how an
authentic reflection would.

We had very limited time to get this sorted out but I felt proud of the fact I took a
risk. I knew it was risky to abandon ship on a big part of our concept but I really felt
it was for the good of the piece.

When we were able to work with Carleigh and Gav on the piece I loved it because it
was like having a breath of fresh air on all the ideas so far. I love the idea they had
about introducing the models by using alliteration! The improvisation was getting
rather awkward and I felt much happier that the presenters, Sid and Harpreet had
some solid material. It will be most effective if they really emphasise the letter and
add interesting to dynamic to it in their voices.


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Newspaper Project, Auditions and Schools Tour

17th 21st November 2014

The New Alliteration Dialogue.

(First model, Tarquin walks down)

Sid - Here comes Tarquin in his tight trousers
He is tantalizing and full of testosterone

Harpreet - I would totally take him hometonight

(Pedita walks down)

Sid - Oh hi Pedita

Harpreet - Its Pedita!
Priceless in pink
From Persia
This pussycat kitten makes the boys smitten! (Everyone purr)

(Lucius walks down)

Harpreet - Look out!

Sid - Its Lucius!
Lunging in Lycra,
This Latvian lover
Leaves the ladies lusting

All - L for love!

Harpreet - And finally.

(We see Jack walking down MUSIC STOPS)

(Everyone clocks Jack Gasps To each other, to the audience, to each other again,
getting more dramatic each time.)
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Newspaper Project, Auditions and Schools Tour

17th 21st November 2014

Another change that I feel really works is using the truck as a catwalk! This adds a lot
more spectacle and means that we are immediately more engaged and drawn in as
the audience.

In the fitness scene, I love the idea of using absolutely ridiculous time frames! This
makes me laugh, for example, "30 seconds ago I couldn't walk, but now I'm burning a
kilogram a minute!" Numbers are a very big thing in these fashion videos so the
acknowledgment and mockery of this in my opinion really works.

We also worked on the online persona scene and making the split stage more
effective. We have three boys who say a smooth line and then Jack cuts and merges
with them. The contrast works well and further illustrates the point we are making
about online personas and how you never know who you are talking to. It also goes
on to prove the point about how we judge people without actually getting to know
them properly first.

On Tuesday morning, it was our last rehearsal with our newspaper groups. After
yesterday's productive session I was just really hoping we could get across the final
touches and notes that would make it effective.

At times I felt like I had to repeat a note so many times to get across the vision and
how it will work. I do think that I pushed myself in this rehearsal to really speak my
mind and not hold back on what I am looking to achieve. I knew it was important that
I got my point across and instead of "I think"; it was "I know"!
Credited: Google
Images

Newspaper Project, Auditions and Schools Tour

17th 21st November 2014

In the afternoon, we did our director interviews. We had some time to prepare and
then we went straight into it. It was different to what Id imagined! We had a type of
character workshop to really help us get into the mindset of the director. This
included thinking about what they have done and also picturing them in our minds
eye. This was particularly useful for me as I found it really helped to have a clear
image in my mind of what she looked like so that I could transfer that image into
myself. We also went through the body and clocked our own areas of tension. We
then went through the body and tensed as much as we could and the released. I
found that this really helped me because after you have tensed up and you relax, it
helps you to be more aware of where you need to relax more and to relax as a whole
too. It enabled me to really focus on the task ahead and put my worries aside.

When we opened our eyes, in character we went around and introduced ourselves to
everyone else. When we sat down with our double (or triple!) we had a quiz! There
were images of practitioners on a sheet of paper and we had to name the
practitioners. It was good to know and also helped me as an actor to clock, which
practitioners I need to recognise and know more about. It also helped me to relax in
character and get my head together before we spoke about our work. We then had to
put a timeline together, placing different types of Theatre in the different periods. It
was actually really challenging! Some we knew but others we were unsure. It was a
really good idea to do this in character as it sparked some interesting debates! When
we found out the result later on I was surprised at what we did wrong. Most forms
were 1900s-present. I think we got confused on where elements of that theory have
been done before but that's not the point they actually became recongised as a style
of Theatre in their own right. For example, Physical Theatre, this was done before but
it's not till relatively recently that this is breaking out as an art form in itself. This was
a great learning curve for me and I would really like to increase my knowledge on the
history of Theatre so that I can develop as an informed and educated actor, learning
more about my craft all the time.

Newspaper Project, Auditions and Schools Tour

17th 21st November 2014

When it came to Carleigh asking us questions I tried my hardest to let Pina take over! I
feel I answered the questions with as much depth as I could. At times my mind felt
boggled because there was so much information I had read and researched I was
anxious to get in as much as possible! On reflection, there were some facts I forget in
the moment and would have liked to include but I think that's all a part of the process
and improving next time. I feel like I put my points across as clearly as I could with the
accent!! I believe that when I got involved in a debate this was an informed and back
up opinion on Pina's behalf and I felt happy about that. It was difficult at times when
there was talking from other actors and at one point I corpsed. I was frustrated at
myself because it made me loose my flow but I feel I recovered it as best I could and
got back in the zone. Something that frustrated me though, was that some members
of the company had not done their research. I found this really disheartening, as it
then becomes awkward to sit there in character when you know full well they don't
know about the character they are supposed to be portraying. This is a shame
because if we were all really clued up, we could have got even more really interesting
debates going on and also we all would have learnt more about the other
practitioners. Despite this though, I feel positive about the experience and really
enjoyed carrying out research in this way.
600BC - 600AD Classical
600 - 1500 Medieval
1500 - 1650 Renaissance
1650 - 1700 Restoration
1700 - 1800 Baroque
1800 - 1850 Romanticism
1900 - PRESENT American drama Pinteresque, In yer face Docudrama/ Verbatim Theatre of the
absurd Physical theatre Irish drama Symbolism Epic Feminist Total theatre Political Black
comedy Surrealism Italian political High comedy Farce Realism/ Naturalism Expressionism
Kitchen sink.

I would like to learn more about these styles of Theatre and now I am more aware of
the context ad time period they are in, it will make my research clearer.
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Newspaper Project, Auditions and Schools Tour

17th 21st November 2014

On Wednesday morning, we met with Alan, a mental health nurse. He basically

wants actors to come in and help with the training of his new staff by
implementing role-play. We will be required to learn and become knowledgeable
about one illness, which we will be assigned individually. We will have to embody
the illness by understanding the physical and mental affects it can have. This will
mean that then the nurses have people to train on, and it allows Alan to watch the
process as an outsider as well. It was really interesting chatting to him and learning
so many new things in this area. He is clearly a really experienced nurse and it was
just eye opening to hear about the work these institutions do all the different
types of metal illness that they treat. Something that stood out to me was the fact
that in statistical terms, mental illness is actually more common than dandruff and
yet there is still a stigma. This isn't right and people should respect, understand
and empathise with these people. We are all human at the end of the day and
need support when things get rough. We also did a practice improvisation with
Alan. He became the patient, and us the nurses. We had to ask Alan questions and
reassure him by being empathetic and sensitive. It's important to ask the right
questions, this is something he looks at when training nurses. You also shouldn't
form an opinion or pass judgment on anyone too quickly in the earliest stages of
referral and assessment.

Credited: Google Images

Newspaper Project, Auditions and Schools Tour

We worked with Innes for the afternoon.

The first workshop we did was based on
Commedia Dell Arte, leading with different
parts of the body and how this affects
physicality and character. It was good to go
back to this, as it's something we haven't
covered in a long time. It refreshed my
memory on how clear you have to be and
what diverse characters you can create just
by simply leading with a different body part.
Now we have done this, I would like to work
on linking them directly back to Commedia
and revising those characters and individual
traits.

Parts of the body we lead from and the
some characteristics I found inside of them:

- Nose - Nosy character, intrigued,
grotesque, snobby.
- Chin - High status, pompous.
- Belly - Fat, slow, old, pompous, and grimy.
- Hands - Open, exuberant, light, flamboyant
OR cold, closed in, shy.
-Knees - Gremlin like, small, staggered.

It was interesting how easily characters can
form and how adaptable you can make it;
finding different personalities with the same
body part leading when you play around
with levels and personas.

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17th 21st November 2014

We then did some snapshot

improvisations. Innes would call out a
scenario and then we created it on
impulse:

Some of the scenarios included:

- Firefighters
- Lawyers
- Secret Agents
- A shoal of fish

This exercise is really good for
spontaneity and acting on your first
reaction. It's really fun to create the
images, however, I think to take it a
step further as a company we should
work on creating the images as one, so
that it's not just all of us having an
individual interpretation we are able
to create more of a scenario and
scenic image.

We also did some sound scape work.
This was really interesting and a
learning curve, as I have never done
anything like this before. With our
eyes closed, Innes called out emotions
or scenarios and we could respond as
freely as we wanted to create a
soundscape.

Directors Note:

Be the actor everyone trusts the most.

Carleigh Its better to be told someone doesnt
want to work wit you based on ability compared to
being told someone doesnt want to work with you
because they dont trust you. Carleigh was talking
about how trust is so important as an actor. If your not
trustworthy then your company cannot rely on you
and will never want to work with you. They will always
avoid working with you because they will know your
not going to get things done. Its a credit if youre an
actor who the company knows they can trust and rely
on.

Images right of text box and below:
Credited Google Images

The Words and Scenarios from Soundscape

- Happiness - Lots of laughter, giggling and
merry atmosphere.

- Anger - Breathy, deep and tense.

Scenarios:

- Haunted House - Creaking, Owls, Clocks, wind,
ghosts, eerie, deadly, spooky.


- The Seaside - Sea, people relaxing and laughing, ice
cream being consumed, carousel music,

- Supermarket Announcements, beeps, bags opening,
rustle of food, money being taken.

 Newspaper Project, Auditions and Schools Tour

We then worked a little on
monologues before performing them
for our audition. We all stood in a
space with our eyes closed and spoke
the monologue. This was useful to
confirm it in my own mind and go
over the intensions and objectives.

The Mock Audition

We had to prepare one monologue
for a mock audition with Carleigh,
Innes and a guest director Anna on
the panel.

I was actually really nervous for this
audition. Having Anna on the panel
was good though because it helps to
experience what it will be like at
drama school.

I don't feel this audition was one of
my strongest. I believe I was much
too self aware and held myself back
in totally emerging myself in the
character. I felt like I was just reciting
lines and wasn't really acting on
impulse and being spontaneous like
the character. I really struggled to
detach myself and be in the moment.

When given direction, I feel again I
was thinking about everything way
too much, which made it feel really
unnatural.

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17th 21st November 2014

I have learnt how important it is to not get

stuck in a rhythm with the text. It has helped
me understand how important it is to keep it
fresh so that when given direction you can
adapt freely and play. In addition, I felt
unsure where my point of focus was and my
eyes were drifting all over the place. I wasnt
addressing it to anyone in particular and this
made me feel like I wasnt hitting the
intension because I wasnt even confident in
the decisions I was making myself.

I also think I let nerves get the better of me. I
don't feel I entered the room with confidence
and an air of self-assurance. I was thrown
because I didn't know weather to sit down, or
stand up or find a space! I should have just
made a choice instead of over thinking every
detail! With the interview, I relaxed more as
we got into it and liked the fact we got the
opportunity to talk about things we have
done and what we are passionate about.

Overall, I have taken so much from the
experience and have a much clearer action
plan of what I need to do to improve. It has
made me realise just how important it is to
be yourself and not let nerves hold you back
because they want to see the real you. I
wasnt enjoying the monologue and this
stopped me from playing and having fun
inside it. It was a really good experience and
one I am grateful we have had. Looking back
now there are so many things I would change
and didn't like, but I see this as part of the
learning curve and developing for next time!

 On Thursday, we learnt so much and progressed hugely with the schools tour. It was a
great experience having an outside director, Becky, coming in to share her knowledge
and experience in children's Theatre. She does schools tours, children party's and has
worked abroad teaching English.

To start off with we walked around the space and as Becky increased the number, the
pace and intention went up a level. Then it became more intense because we would
move around the space but had to make contact with the floor, there could be no
empty space and we had to be creative in the way we moved around. Not walking in
circles, balancing the space! It was such a work out! It just goes to show that you can
get thoroughly warm just by exploring the space and really going for it!

We then did a focus game, which was like Zip, Zap, Boing, but had different sounds.
For example:

Hep - Around the circle
Ha - Stop - change direction
Bang - Across the circle
Roll the ball; catch the ball - Jumps in canon
'Sho' - 'It's mine! ' - Throwing energy into the circle and someone has to say 'It's mine'
it can't be more than one person at a time though; unless it is 'sho sho' then it's two
people.
Dippy dippy do- Skip a person
Dip dippy do - Skip two people

We then did a name game where Becky went around and when she points at you, you
say your bit in the sequence of 'Bing, Bang, Name.' You have to keep it in that order
though and she will point randomly at different people. It's a really fun way to learn
peoples names and have fun at the same time!

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 Newspaper Project, Auditions and Schools Tour

17th 21st November 2014

Becky then started to talk to us about how she leads workshops and the techniques
that she uses. For example, she led some games with us but she became the
character doing that game such as 'Captain Fish finger.' As a pirate, she spoke to us
about the game and this was so much more effective than standing there and trying
to explain to everyone how we were going to play the game and what it would entail.

We then did an exercise where we became the 4 year olds and she demonstrated
how she would go about approaching a workshop with them.

Some of the key techniques I picked up included:

- Making everything a game
- Encouraging their own imagination and creativity
- Going down on their level to address them
- Spelling things out really clearly
- Using big hand gestures and exaggerated facial expression
- Physicality and tone of voice was open and engaging.

We then did the same but with 7 year olds and the difference was interesting to
clock:

- Still making things a game but being more authoritative about it
- Making it known that you have the authority in the room
- Encouraging the element of competition, for example between boys and girls.
- Allowing them to feel like they are cool and are capable of doing a lot

We all had a chance to try out being the leader and we had a different scenario each
time as to how to respond to the leader. It was clear what was most effective and
when techniques were really engaging and drew everyone in. It was for me most
effective when the leader really engaged and made the group feel excited and
intrigued by what we were going to do next.

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We didn't have time to all have a go individually so Amber, Levi and I did it as a three.
I found this extremely difficult because obviously we hadn't had time before hand to
plan what we were going to do. Therefore, I found the communication element really
hard and it felt like we were out of control. However, I think the more we develop this
skill, the better we will get as a company and as a unit.

We had a chat about the different issues there that you can tackle and what would
most appeal to different age groups. We came up with lots of concepts, which could
be a stimulus for a T.I.E piece.

- Being polite
- Discipline
- Respecting Parents
- Stranger Danger
- Moving on to secondary school
- Sex Education
- Friendships
- Peer pressure
- Drugs Awareness

Other exercises that we did included creating a scene/frozen image based on certain
words or concepts. I think this would be more suitable for years 5 and 6. It
encourages them to be creative and work effectively and collaboratively with others
making spontaneous and creative decisions as a unit. You can then take it further by
encouraging them to think outside the box, as well as adding vocals and movement.

Another game that we learnt aids learning as well which is a bonus when in
schools. You put various words or symbols on the wall and split them into two teams.
You ask questions and then a person from each team has to run and put their hand on
the answer. The first one to touch it is the winner! This game is adaptable with age as
well as you can do colors, shapes or pictures for younger children or suit it to what
they are learning in lessons.

We also played 'Monster Monster, what colour is it? - When the monster says a
colour you have to find that colour in the room and touch it before the monster
catches you!

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Newspaper Project, Auditions and Schools Tour

17th 21st November 2014

We also learnt 'Sticky, Sticky, Glue.' This is a variation of Stuck in the mud except from
at the start the person who is catching says 'I went to the shops and I brought some
sticky, sticky....' They say random words and you have to run on glue!

We also did Magic Letter. A magic letter is chosen and then random letters are called
out. If the letter is in your name you walk forewords as many steps as it appears in
your name. However, if the magic letter is called you cant move and if you do you
have to go back to the beginning. The first one to the end is the winner!
I had so much fun today and it was great to learn so many new skills about theatre for
children and how to approach a workshop with them. I never realised how many
important things there are to remember and consider. I loved how enthusiastic Becky
was and you could see how children would easily become engaged by the things she
did. Learning new games was great! I thought the games with a lesson inside them
were really good because you can see how schools would appreciate the element of
learning inside a game. Children won't think of it as working! When we had to lead I
found it such a challenge! I never realised just how difficult it is to simply get the
attention of the room and how hard it is at times to communicate with other leaders.
All of the techniques I know are going to benefit us greatly and I feel so much more
knowledgeable about how I would approach this now. Things like being on their level,
making everything a game, having fun, the element of competition and making
children feel valued by telling them they are cool etc.! It was also interesting to clock
how important tone of voice and physicality is. Children can read so much just by how
you stand before you have even said something. Therefore, this has helped me to
think about how we need to enter the space as a company and how it would be most
effective to set up the workshop and get it all going. If you start off well and have
their attention and engagement you are much more likely to keep them engaged.
Discovering the differences between ages was also interesting and I can see how vital
it is that you understand how to conduct yourself with different age groups. Today
has also made me think back to when I was at primary school and the diversity and
different dynamics there were in the class. You have to make sure everyone is with
you because it's likely there will be some shy children but some more boisterous!
Therefore, it's important as a company that we are sensitive and cater for all. I am
looking forward to developing these skills and putting them into practice. Although it
was difficult today leading it, it was our first attempt so hopefully with practice we
will get better and by the end of it be able to conduct workshops effectively in
schools!
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Filling the space, making contact with the floor, freezing in a

position when you count down.

Hep, Ha, Bang
Bing, Bang Name
Captain Fish finger
Moo off
Creating a scene/frozen image
Monster, Monster, what colour is it?
Sticky, Sticky Glue
Quiz on the wall
Magic Letter
Spare Chair

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Newspaper Project, Auditions and Schools Tour

17th 21st November 2014

On Friday, Levi, Harriet, Alex

and I went to the Excel
Centre to promote North
West Kent College and The
Miskin. It was good to talk to
people about the course and
potential actors, dancers
/techies etc. It was hard at
times when they were asking
about the college in general
as we dont have as much
knowledge about that, but
we tried our best to point
them in the right direction!
Although we had leaflets and
our own experience, I think it would have
been more effective if we were in
costume and almost took a bit of the
Miskin with us. I feel it would of attracted
more people and shown what we are all
about. In these events I think thats what
makes you successful, if you stand out
from the crowd and look exciting! It was
a fun day and hopefully we inspired some
people to come and visit us!

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Sources of Inspiration

This week I would say a big source of inspiration was Becky coming in because she
provided us with so many techniques and games we can use and take forward into our
schools project. Working with an outside director is really good for us as actors and
helps us to make more links in the industry.

This week looking at Pina Bausch in more detail was also really interesting it was great
to learn more about such a pioneering practitioner. It has enhanced my curiosity and
also means I have more sources of inspiration to refer back to when I'm creating my
own work.

http://daniellasandersonhndactor.tumblr.com/post/102800494037/pina-
bausch#disqus_thread





(Credited: Google Images)

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Newspaper Project, Auditions and Schools Tour

17th 21st November 2014

Plan of Action!

This week I feel my strengths in relation to directing have been taking risks that are right
for the piece and not being afraid to scrap ideas. You cant be precious with your work
and I feel I took the impulse to do what I thought was right for the good of the piece. I
also believe that, strength was the Pina Bausch research task because I spent a long
time researching and understanding her principals thoroughly. I feel I learnt a lot out of
this form of research and gained an insightful understanding of her work and methods.

My weaknesses have been self-doubt, especially in the mock audition. It didnt go well
for me, I was just too self-conscious and I really need to work on this. I also feel I am not
trusting myself as much as I could. I need to stop overthinking things, trust that what I
need is there and just go for it without worrying about failure or the final outcome. I
need to accept that we are in a safe environment, training where we can make mistakes
and learn from them in a constructive way.

The company strength this week has been the ability to play, for example in Beckys
workshop we all had lots of fun! The company weakness has been the lack of collectivity
and mutual understandings. For example, in the directing tasks not everyone was clued
up on their director, which affected us as a whole company and the dynamic of the
improvisation.

My plan for next week is to be more confident in everything that I do. I just need to trust
myself and think positively that I can do things, as that is half the battle. I also want us to
move on as a company knowing we can trust one another and learn and discover new
things as a strong collective.

I am looking forward to seeing the Newspaper Project come together and the
performances, as well as delving further into the schools project and moving this
process on.

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