Although this task has been and gone, back in December when I first thought about this task it got me thinking and I drafted a few thoughts. I would like to post this as it can now lead into and help me start my thought processes and ideas for the next module.
When first thinking about this task. 2d, I did not have a clue what lines of inquiry to follow or that would or have really interested me. So to give me varying ideas I read others blogs and posts on what line of inquiries they were interested in. A few in particular stood out for me, these included Sandy Moffat's and Ceri Morgan's.
Ceri's inquiry I found very interesting and I watched the you tube clip this was based on. As I commented with choreography there is no right or wrong, however thinking about it now it can possibly be split in to good or bad. When taking choreography as a line of inquiry from Ceri's Blog it brought thoughts flying through my head with questions in relation to choreography, however I feel Cer'is blog does not take a specific route and is left open ended. To help me with my thoughts and processes I like to have a specific question or statement which relates to a path that the inquiry leads down. Looking at choreography there are so many paths leading from a variety of questions and statements.
- Where does the inspiration come from for a Choreographer?
- Is the music the key element within choreography?
- What makes a great choreographer?
- Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements.
Another blog that stood out to me was Sandy's with his line of inquiry, Does a shows celebrity performer effect the audiences. After reading this post it was not long after I wrote my blog on with my reflective writing task and they both lead me to my own thoughts and questions for a possible inquiry task. It got me thinking about the audiences 'we' as performers perform to. There are many thoughts and questions that stand out in my head that could be pursued a s a line of inquiry in relation to a performers audience.
What do our audience want from our performance, what do they come to see and why do they come???
- Do they come to see the celebrity star featured at that time? (linking to Sandy's Blog)
- Are they from a similar background, have they trained in the profession?
- Is it for the music, the style of dancing or the story told?
- Are they working as critics?
- Is it their first time, will they return?
I know why I go to theatre, but it would be interesting to ask the audience why they are there and what they came to see and take home from the performance. It would be interesting to see how much of a mix there is within one audience and to see if this would ever change a performances progression.
Well it has been a little while since I've blogged, but have finally made some time to start my next challenge - the next module! Unfortunately I was unable to make the 1st campus session, so feel I am on a little bit of a back foot, as last module campus sessions I found really helpful. I'm starting to work my way through the tasks, slowly, and hoping things will become more clear. Any tips on what I missed would greatly be appreciated!!
Also have some old drafts from 1st module I want to post that I could not post before, so let me know what you think!
Description
Hillmorton Primary School, in Warwickshire, where last week I performed in an afternoon show of Red Riding Hood Pantomime that I am touring in over this Christmas period.
Initial Reflection
I felt slightly warn out and tired, but we'd had a really good show in the morning, which gave me a real buzz. What was special about the first school on this day is that the teachers all joined in. This had a lovely effect on the children and also added more laughs to my performance as some gags from my character can go over the children's head but the teachers laughed. This made me feel stronger as a character and I enjoyed bouncing off the audiences reaction during the first performance. We also got some really good feedback and lovely comments from the children and teachers which sent me on to the second school buzzing with happiness and feeling proud of what the cast and I have achieved.
Before and during the show everything seemed to be normal, as good, as bad, and as indifferent as all the days on tour so far. After the show, whilst clearing down the children were heading home and one child approached me and said thank you. She then asked a question which I did not expect coming from a young child. She asked 'Do you enjoy performing in the Panto?' In the 3 years I have performed in Pantomime no child has ever asked me that question, most questions are usually like "who were you?", and "who was the wolf?" etc etc. This question really touched me, it especially had more of an effect coming from a child and it made me think!
List
- Questioning
- Happy
- Buzzing
- Tired
- Exhausted
- Happy Thoughts
- Saw Smiling faces
- Saw Excited Children
- Pleased
- Successful
- Enjoyment Had By All
- Puzzled
- Deep in Thought
Evaluation
I feel both our performances went really well with no mistakes and we had great reactions from our audiences. Both performance spaces worked well with our set and fitted perfectly.
With the question asked after my second performance, it helped me to learn more about myself. It really made me stop and think about it in depth. I discovered more about myself and it helped me to realise a greater love for the performance side of my job. I love bringing happiness and enjoyment to the audiences, putting smiles on children's faces and bringing panto to those who aren't always fortunate to see it. I add a treat to peoples Christmases.
What If
Well asking myself what could of happened makes me realise that I can be quite negative as I produce thoughts like:- The set could of fallen down, I could of forgotten my lines, or there could of been a power cut leaving us with no mics, sound or lights. However knowing myself it's not that I'm negative but I am a worrier, sometimes fearing negative possibilities! But when asking myself what I would like to happen then my thoughts took a more positive route. It would be nice not to have one show where no children cry from being scared, it would be lovely to have every show where all the children shout so loud that you struggle to hear yourself think, it would be a great laugh if the teachers randomly got up and joined in with our dance routines on stage, it would be great to get a delivery of a new tour van as ours is that bad it freezes on the inside aswell!!
Another View
(Writing a view of a section of my day from a child in the audience)
Today at school I was all excited as we were having a special treat this afternoon. We had a Pantomime visiting us. I have never seen a Pantomime before, but my teacher had made it sound really exciting, and I was really looking forward to it. I queued up to go in to the hall with all my friends, we were all excited and giggling with joy about what lies ahead. We took a seat on the floor and it all looked magical, as if it was another world. The music started and I sang along to Jingle Bells with my classmates. I loved everything, it made me laugh and the Granny looked funny with her bright dress and blue hair. I shouted out 'It's Moo Moo' as loud as I could when the ghost went past, I joined in the actions and clapped and danced in my seat. Before I knew it it was all over but it had me feel extremely happy and I loved everything about it. My first Pantomime was brilliant and I hope I get to see one again next year.
Themes
I had a real meaningful day and this day has stuck out more than any other day on my tour of pantomime so far. All the comments and feedback from both performances have made me even more enthusiastic about my tour and my love for performing. I would not change a thing about this day, however what would make it more interesting for me would be to sit down after a show with the children in the audience and talk to them about their opinions and see and hear what they thought of the show. This at present is a similarity to most days in my week and over the next 6 weeks on tour right the way through to mid-January. However today has stuck in my mind having a bigger impact on me and taken a place in this course for me with the question that I was asked. This is a question I would like to remember and perhaps ask myself when performing in the next job I undertake. 'Do you enjoy performing?' This question makes me realise for me this is not just a job, but a dream come true and a passion which I love.
When I first read the Blog about writing poems for our journal I had mixed opinions on it, I thought it's a great idea and a great way to get your thoughts down in a journal. However panic sets in as I think to myself I can't write poems. So for me this is a challenge but I wanted to give it a go and see how it suited me.
Firstly I read others blogs who have tried the challenge already to give me an insight to others thoughts and methods on how to tackle my poems. It was rather daunting but once I got started thoughts just seemed to flow. My first poem, looking back now is not very deep with feelings, more a schedule of events. As I went on through the week I tried to delve a little deeper in to my thoughts and feelings. Reading back over them now I do believe they reflect me and how I would describe myself for a journal and I feel and believe they improve as time goes on.
I really enjoyed the task and feel I got alot from it, it has taught me a new way to journal my thoughts and feelings daily. I would reccommend this to everyone to try once and give it a go. Although I won't be writing poems everyday for my journal I feel I will go back to them every now and again.
Panto is feeling like all the colours in the rainbow,
as bright as each other
Panto is feeling like your riding a hot air balloon
flying high up in to the sky
Panto is feeling like freshly baked cup cakes
all sweet and exciting
Panto is feeling like a tropical thunderstorm
all mixed with emotions
Panto is feeling like a basket full of flowers
filled with variety
Panto is feeling like a bouncy ball
always energetic
Panto here I come.
Going over and over it's never going to stop
Again and again and my head wants to pop
Frustrations now knocking at the door
And all I ask is when will it end
I'm ready to go, move forward and move on
Going round and round just makes me feel down
All my loved ones at home for the Christmas term
And I'm stuck in this hole awaiting my first
Tick Tock Tick Tock
The spotlight is on
Tick Tock Tick Tock
Feeling all nervous and numb
Tick Tock Tick Tock
A deep breath I take
Tick Tock Tick Tock
I must not be late
