Rehearsal Checklist

In order of priority
Music- this is my number one priority because I can not start choreographing or creating a developed character with out music.
Mini groups- I know this will take longer than group pieces etc as we have to choreograph it and we are not as experienced as are teachers. Also we have to find the time to meet up and in operate everyone's ideas as we might not always agree.
Learn lines- I think this is a high on my list because I can not develop my character and stage drama with out knowing my lines.
Group pieces- this is not as high as the mini groups because we only have the learn the choreography however we have to rely on each other me find time to rehearse.
Solo- I can choreography this at home or college also no one else knows the choreography so if I go wrong it is not as obvious at in the group pieces.
Research characters- I find it easier to research my character after learning all of the choreography because then I can really start to develop my character.
Singing solo- there are two singing solos available in the show so if I just practice this at home I might have the opportunity of performing it.
Costume- what the costume is depends on the music and the choreography so I can not pick out a costume before all of the numbers above our achieved.
Blog throughout to keep updated and it will also help remember exactly what I had done.

Rehearsal Schedule

This image is the rehearsal schedule Shannon made for us we attempted to stick by it however priorities changed through out depending on what was finished and what was not. Especially near when it got closer to the showcase because some dances needed more cleaning than others. But after each rehearsal we maybe should that it was filmed or logged in some kind of way so we could remember exactly what we choreographed before.

Developments

If we took these performs on furthers these are my ideas.

Once upon a time I think we could extend the dance and make it longer in content. This is the one dance with the biggest story line so by making it longer may help the audience understand it fully. Also using strobe lighting could help with the effect of the princesses souls separating.

Rock and roll could definately be a piece that can be carried on but personally I would involve and add in more dancers and make it a huge group piece. I think it will look much more visually pleasing to the audience. Possibly girl, boy pairing instead make it a little more traditional, but that is only an option. 

Acting piece would look good with extras and a little background noise to add to the effect and give it more of a realistic atmosphere of a school bus. 

Ballet would look more effective with things like a smoke effect and dim lighting as that will help set the mood of the dance.

Street I think the min change it needed was costume but I am going to leave a couple of photos attached of some sketches I drew of my costume ideas.

Tap would also look good with a bigger cast and more of concert style lighting like spotlights, strobes and blaring music. This would be a very good piece to be developed!

Candy Store is our version of the musical so possibly adding into some acting scenes before or after the song would really help the audience become sucked in to the story of Heathers.

Bad is one of my favourite dances and there is not a lot I would change apart from perhaps using a red wash in the lighting. 

Ed’s song I would not want to be developed much or taken further because it was a very personal dance for me and it was like my chance to say goodbye.

I wish I may does not really need much change but possibly smoke effect and spotlights when each person steps into the light.

Can’t stand the rain is probably more of a simpler dance so I think maybe including the idea of props could really add to the performance. I’m unsure of what kind of props but I it is definately something to think about.

My solo song is something I would love to continue with and I think adding in a scene before so the audience can understand the meaning of my song fully.

Commercial can be developed lighting wise because it was quite simple so I think using red/blue wash in the lighting.

Fan dance could also involve a scene possibly after the performance. As it is a musical theatre number and very jazzy I think the lighting needs to meet that and the classical Chicago colour is red so that needs to be incoperated.

Evaluation

In my evaluation I am going to create a small conclusion for each piece and my performance before creating a short general summary of the entire showcase.

To start with was the contemporary group number, I think this was the best time we all performed this piece. I really enjoyed dancing this number and really getting into my character. Even though I have never seen the TV series the dance is based on I feel as if I can easily slip into the nature of sleeping beauty. I hope the audience fully understood the story line but I am happy with how this dance went.

Next was rock and roll I think that is dance went ok, I got all the choreography correct however I feel as if I could of performed it a bit better so if we took if performance further that is what I need to work on. Also I felt that I slightly lacked energy near the end, but I did enjoy dancing it as it is a happy, fun style.

My acting piece was the first performance I needed a microphone for but at least I had two dances in between to get ready for. The audience was not the most responsive so they were tough to feed off them but I know we worked well together on stage and really got over our nerves and went for it. 

The ballet piece went well it is quite a difficult one to perform and there were a couple of times my leg was not fully turned out but I think it went well and my pirouettes in attitude I controlled strongly.

Work the street piece I think was very good because it was a huge improvement on the last piece we performed in the christmas showcase. I know I could of performed it bigger but I am still pleased with how it turned out.

Tap was the worst choreographically because changed it last minute (forgot to mention in my logs) and we all messed up, at least it was at the same part and I think we all covered it up with our performance. 

Candy Store I was very happy with myself because I really performed it and got into character. So it automatically felt happier and almost easier to dance.

Bad I was disappointed with myself because I forgot the side kick I still did it but it was not high, so I think I covered it up but I was kicking myself afterwards. The dance looks amazing when it is really tight and I feel as if I let the other girls down.

My solo went really well when I danced it I forgot about all the pressure of dancing and performing it, so I relax and my emotions really came out. It eventually lead to me crying at the end of the dance, this was almost like a relief and I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders.

I wish I may was my first singing in the show I think it went ok everyone else at college said it was the best we had done it. However I think there were a couple of pitching issues!

The modern group went well I think I could of performed it better but I am not un pleased with my performance at all. 

My singing solo (I have not mentioned in my log but I practiced in my own time) I love singing and performing this solo and this one was no exception I am sad that I don’t get to perform it again.

Commercial went as well as it could of I think. We were all in sync through out but we probably all could of up our performance level.

The finale and bow went well and was high energy because this was the last time I got to perform with all of my class mates and I wanted to make the most of it. I sung as loudly and best I could and I dance to the best of my ability. 

In conclusion I enjoyed the whole whole showcase and I loved every second of it. Performing is my passion of course there are improves that could and can be made but I am overall happy with how I did.

Blog 9

Monday- Today in drama everyone had there assessment but luckily Tj and I have already done ours. This does not mean we did not perform it to the class we still did and this gave us a chance to rehearse. We also ran through the fan dance and commercial because that needed a great deal of cleaning. The rap section was the messiest and Kelly was unhappy with a move she had choreographed. Once is was changed I have to attempt it looked better, I just need secure the choreography.

Tuesday- We had time in the morning to run thing anything we needed to before we showcased everything we have already done. Today we did of first full run through, linked with the running order and timings. We brought in our costumes but our teachers decided it would be better to do that tomorrow and that this run through should be for stamina. Also today Amber got back from her holiday so it gave her a chance to catch up. We started with contemporary and half way through we had a head collision/ injury so we stopped and re started but after this dance the two people involved in the injury felt sick. So for most of the dances we were a man or two down. This run through probably could not of gone worse, however there is a saying ‘bad run through, good show’. Even though it went extremely wrong and it made me more nervous it was still benefical as I now know that my stamina is good enough to sustain through out the whole show. In the evening classes Mary was worried about Amber’s injury because she went to hospital so she asked me to learn the jazz trio just as a precaution if she was not well enough for the show. I learnt it in the evening I love the choreography so I don’t mind if I do have to perform it but I will rehearse at home tonight to make sure I remember it. 

Wednesday- Today we had our first dress run this was not just to see if we could dance in our costumes and that they suited our dances but also to see if we had enough time to get changed. Most of my dances only have one in between and one has none. So this run through was extremely useful for me as it gave me a chance to work out if I could layer any of my costumes or tights. I also had the opportunity to dance the jazz trio and I am now comfortable enough to perform it at the showcase if I needed to. I think that for a first dress run I went alright but I realised there were a few dances that needed more attention. For example Rock and Roll needed to be tighter, like in the cartwheel section Maddie and I start it 2 counts earlier than the other girls so we need to hold back a bit. Also in the Bad trio we still have some different arms we need to clarify. In the side leap I keep putting my arms in the air instead of to the side, but now I know this for the next rehearsal. Another improvement I need to make before the show is my performance, particularly in Rock and Roll and Heathers. I need to smile and inter act more with the other dancers because that is what this style is all about. Also the last run through of the musical theatre troupe Kelly said I was holding back and almost letting the whole performance down so I really need to let go of feeling embarrassed and really act this dance. Before lunch we worked on the finale piece while both Kelly and Claire were there, we cleaned it up and we made some improvements, the biggest being the harmony. Claire and Mary agreed that the high harmony did not sound as bad as we thought, so at least we are now all singing the same part. In the afternoon we had time with Emilie to finally finish the contemporary. Luckily there was not too much more choreography to learn, the only part I struggled with was learning a whole new move which is a kind of switch leap. Unfortunately I can’t see exactly what I look like but I feel as if my front leg needs to be straighter. Now this piece is finished I am excited to perform it on stage and I think once its clean it is going to be a great way to open the show. 

Thursday- Today we started with a dress run again, this time went a lot better than the last. Also today was the first time Amber was back after her injury, this is good news because now I have one less number to worry about. Every number was a lot cleaner today and it helped that the whole cast was here. Changes became much easier today too and I think I am now feeling ready for the performance tomorrow. In the afternoon we cleaned contemporary and ran through street I now feel like I am fully prepared for the showcase I just need to make sure I perform it to the highest of my capability. 

Friday- Today we came into college for last minute rehearsals being as the show is today. We created a short finale to the song ‘Bills’ and we cleaned commercial together due to it being the one that needed the most work. Kelly put me in charge of this rehearsal as she was confident I knew the choreography. Once I was pleased with the result we all went down stairs to get ready for the show. When arriving at Comberton we set up all our costume at got time for a run through on the stage with the microphones. This was helpful so we knew what the flooring was like and how much space to use up. The only thing I am now frightened about is not getting the microphones in time with my costume changes. 

Blog 8

Monday- This morning we finally cleaned ballet properly, this meant if Kelly saw something she did not like while we were dancing she would stop the music and run through it slowly. I remembered all the choreography but assessing and watching myself in the mirror gave me the time to watch my arm lines and that my leg should be turned out the whole time because I noticed some times my leg was turned in. This dance does not have a lot necessarily in content of choreography but we have to set the atmosphere while performing this piece so I know I really need to perform it to the best of my ability. In the next lesson, drama, Anna came in see told us we would perform our pieces in front of the rest of the class so we began to get use to performing in front of an audience. We ran ours second and the feedback we received was mostly positive, they said Amber stood out because her characteristics are very close to a childs’. This gives TJ and I a reason to work harder and move up to the same level as Amber. After performing to each other we had to group time with Anna, she said that our performance was getting better each time we do it and at the end of the lesson she gave us the chance to take our assessment now because Amber will not be here next Monday. We thought we were as ready as we could be so went for it and I think it went extremely well. The main improvement I personally need to make is to work on my diction especially during the speed talking. Musical theatre was our next class and Kelly said something that I really do need to focus on. She said choreographically and technically but I am holding back on my performance. This really hit hard because I am trying to perform but know I am going to go home and try a technique we learnt from Kelly before. I am going to play the song and look at myself in the mirror trying various facial expressions, she said lip sync at any moment you want to. In the last 10 minutes of the lesson we ran through the fan dance this this with the karaoke version so we all sang while performing. I did not find it particularly difficult but in some places I realised I need more breathing support. We had an hour of studio time so Millie, Maddie and I attempted to change the ending of bad but we had no inspiration and we did not want the ending to be throw together and lose energy at the end. The last lesson of the day we ran tap full out with knee pads, it went well but we discuss possibly using a different kind of knee pad as it was hard to slide across the floor with the knee pads we had. Kelly said that we know need to commit to the performance side now.

Tuesday- Today we did a run through of all the pieces and after each piece Mary and Kelly gave us feedback. They also needed to take down the time of each dance so Mary will know how long the full showcase will be. It went ok but they said that all of the dances felt that they lacked energy and commitment. I think we are all exhausted but we need to up our game. After lunch we cleaned street because this was the messiest group piece. Maddie was injured so she could see exactly what parts needed work. One thing I really did not realise was that my leg needed to bend in on the words ‘pat pat on the kitty kat’ but now I know this I can work on it. Mary came upstairs to watch and was pleased with the improvement. Today we more studio time to yesterday and Maddie, Millie and I knew we had to finish bad, we started to get extremely frustrated because we could not come up with and ending but after working together and asking TJ what looked good we finally finished it. We showed it to Mary and she told us what things we did differently, there were a couple of arm lines but the main one I struggled with was the double pirouette into the box splits. After trying it their way a couple of times I finally got the hang of it and the dance is looking really clean. We also got a chance to run rock and roll with the costume tops to see if they looked good with the dance. I think they compliment the piece very nicely.

Wednesday- Today we worked on the fan dance all morning. The first half of the morning we spent with Kelly where we finished the choreography. We did not get them a chance to clean it but at least it is completed and blocked. The second half we worked on the vocals with Claire. This I struggled with but we went through the harmonies in the end verse, we tried it the octave above and I did not feel comfortable singing it as I did not think it sounded correctly. Eventually we worked out Maddie and Zak take the lower harmony all the other girl apart for TJ take the middle harmony and Mary and TJ sing the octave above. We have now finished and cleaned street, we filmed it upstairs before the end of the lesson so we can refer to the video at home for practice. I struggled with one section of street because I could not get to my spacing in time so i had to change me walking pattern after discussing it with Emilie.

Thursday- Today we had studio time so I focussed on rock and roll and my solo. In rock and roll we made sure all the lifts were tight and in sync. I am now feeling confident with this dance but I really do need to work on my performance as a result of the showcase is next week. I also got the opportunity to run my solo once which helped keep the choreography in my brain considering I have a lot of other dances to memorise. Another dance we cleaned today was modern, Kerry was not happy with the effort we were putting in. So the next time we performed it the best we could and it already looked better apart from a couple of arm lines and filling the space at the end with a longer improvisation. I’m not worried about this dance because I have performed ones similar to it before. Our last class was contemporary but the result is that it’s still unfinished. But we did fill in the gaps in the dance we have already learnt. So what we have done is now tight and clean we only have to ending to do. I love performing this piece nevertheless I am still scared about it being incomplete.

Blog 7

Monday- This morning we ran the ballet piece to ensure that it is in our heads, we did not clean it completely because we had our drama assessment this morning so our teacher gave us more time to rehearse and be prepared. It was helpful for my because I keep forgetting the ronde de jambe after the lame duck. So I think drilling the dance a couple of times was definately helpful. Finishing the lesson early gave us all the opportunity to get changed into our costumes and have a quick speed run to ensure we knew all of our lines. It was also a good exercise, by running it quickly it helped us know all of our cues. When Anna came in she was impressed that we were all practicing and when we showed our piece to one another we got some feedback, our main thing we need to improve is to know our lines inside out. The next class we had we musical theatre and we dedicated half to our group piece and the other half to the fan dance. Musical theatre went well and looked clean but Kelly said we all need to up our performance level and I definately agree. The second half of the lesson gave Amber a chance to catch up with the beginning section of the choreography. I think though that we all need to start singing it because it is difficult to sing and dance at the same time as breath support will become a lot more difficult so I think the next time we run through it I am going to sing. In studio time I dedicated it to my solo because after my feedback about it being to acro based I want to make it more emotional and the dance I really want it to be. I think I used my studio time well because I now only have two counts of 8 until my solo is completed. The last lesson of the day was tap and since last week I had really been practicing the final move and I was excited about showing Kelly. However for safety reasons we all thought it would be best to not to it because we did not have knee pads. After running it a couple of times we went downstairs to show it to the other class and we saw theres, this got more excited for the show because both pieces looked really good and they contrasted really well.

Tuesday- Today we had most of the day was free to practiced whatever we wanted, my main priority was the jazz trio as it was incompleted so we focus on that. Although by the end of the day we were still not completely happy with what we have done so I would not be surprised if it changed. I also spend a little time on my solo and finished it so all I need to do is clean it. We also went through rock and rolls and the singing trio. We started to clean rock and roll and this was helpful because we clarified a couple of arm lines and footwork. The only thing we did for the singing trio was to make sure the harmonies were tight however some still do not sound right and Mary said Maddie should move up to my harmony.

Wednesday- This morning we ran through most of the dances (these were the contemporary group, my solo, street, rock and roll and lastly musical theatre). This was helpful because it helped me keep all the choreography in my head. We also had a singing lesson with Claire and she spend most of her time with Zak and we came up in the end to singing our parts along side one another and it is starting to sound really good so I am getting excited to perform this. Our last lesson was with Emilie and we mainly focussed on street because Emilie finally got the finally cut and mash up of the music. We got a lot done today I think we had the whole middle section of the dance complete I am now feeling a lot more comfortable and not as worried about this dance. Our teacher said we now only need to learn the beginning and a few transitions.

Thursday- Today was the first time we had both modern groups together so we could finally see what it is going to look like. Kerry said that it needed cleaning but for the first time all together it was not that bad. She added on the ending too which was simple so it didn’t take us long to get. Today we had a small time to run what we want so we went through rock and roll and few times but I mainly wanted to focus on cleaning my solo. Which I did and I’m now happy with how it looks and I’m finally happy with my result. Today was hopefully going to be the day where we finished both contemporary and street however we ran out of time because we took the whole time on street. We went through both piece and learnt most of the transitions so it is nearly complete. But we had 10 minutes at the end of class to run contemporary and secure the choreography in our brains.