Assignment work - Unit 10

Strength and Weaknesses Evaluation

As a performer I use my strengths and weaknesses as a way to set my targets and manage my progression. This means I  applying more focus to those areas- such as projection, pacing and managing my energy within naturalistic performances- that I know I need to work on, whilst putting less time into practising the things I'm aware need less work: my use of facial expressions, my physicality when playing characature characters, along with my extended character development and building up a layered performance. Prioritising what I know will require more work and time.

When it comes to my energy as a performer- and don't get me wrong It can definitely be helpful at times, although when it comes to naturalism It causes me more problems than salutations. This is because I find myself channelling it to boost emotions that I actually need to bring down instead of up- especially anger as I resort to really building it bigger instead of focusing on the levels and control of the scene. This is something I became more aware of whilst playing Conner in a dear Evan Hansen duologue, finding it quite difficult to grasp control of the energy I create when performing and how to manage that energy and restrain the amount that is needed depending on the performance. Another main area of development is definitely my projection, as I find it difficult to realise when I 'm not projecting fully, but also how to push the sound more, especially when developing those more sombre moments within performances- as I naturally will resort to brining elements of that in, meaning I lose that projection. This is something I find quite frustrating, especially when playing an older or unwell character- because naturally in these moment you would not be trying to build up your voice and for me personally I find this middle ground between my projection and performance to be very difficult to execute- even though projection is arguably one of the most important techniques to withhold as a performer on stage. 

Contrasting to the negatives, I feel my energy can bring me it also contributes to some of my strengths as a performer, and more specifically my physicality and stage presence whilst performing. I find that building up my characters physicality, especially when playing comedy roles to come quite naturally- building some of the other elements of my character up from what I developed from my physicality. I also have quit an expressive face and am able to really exaggerate some of my facial emotions when performing, and feel as if this adds another layer to the characters I portray.  

Personal statement upload here 

When I think of acting I think of what it teaches me and its importance within our day to day lives. So much of my love for acting comes from the way intense and powerful performances can make me feel. I enjoy being able to connect with a character deeply- and often find that I actually learn more about myself through the characters I play, as I’m forced to be really honest about who I am to understand someone else 

 

My skill development started at school performing in Joseph's Technicolor Dream coat, The wizard of Oz and even the Shakespearean jukebox musical: Return to the Forbidden Planet. This really helped prepare me when starting my training in college, and in week six of my course took on an immersive piece of theatre where I played a time travelling tour guide. Not only did this role test my improvisation skills, but my character skills- as I could never take a beat, having to consistently keep up the energy whilst managing a live audience. This experience also gave me the opportunity to perform in the Stockton globe theatre, working in a professional environment. I then went on to perform at the ARC theatre playing Peter Pan and leading a show. This role was a massive test on my physicality, and it pushed me to build on my stamina so I could maintain a high performance level throughout and convey the life and energy that is Peter Pan. One of the shows I am most proud to have been a part of was a  NT connections play called shout, giving me the opportunity of performing at the National Theatre in London on the Dorfman stage as a result of being one of the 10 selected plays of connections 2024. D.W Gregory’s Radium Girls was my next project, playing the role of Kathryn Schaub and getting to tell a real life 1920s historical tragedy. Because this was a period piece I worked very closely on the physicality that Kathryn obtained, along with the physical effects of Radium poising and how that would alter her physical stance and mindset throughout. Radium Girls really allowed me to explore my versatility as a performer, and experiment with some incredibly deep characters and their story lines. I then worked on a student short film, collaborating to create a naturalistic depiction of a relationship between two people that over time falters. From this I got the chance to deepen my acting on screen abilities, and further learn more about life on a film/tv set. I am now into my second year of training at collage, and am currently working on another piece of immersive and interactive theatre at the globe- playing the iconic role of Nurse Ratchet from One flew over the cuckoos nest- delving into a psychotic villainous character that explores the mental darkness within humanity. This project will lead into taking on three more shows before the end of my second year, along with more potential filming opportunities. 

 

This year I did my first professional paid credit- working for a company called Theatre Space North East on a Shakespeare play “As you like it”. Collaborating with established artists and getting to understand the professionalism and work ethic that goes into being a working actor. I am now also training with and am represented by a company called stage box- receiving world class training from industry professionals. I am also a current National Youth Theatre member after taking part in a two week training course- performing in the Tron theatre to showcase the work we had created. Outside of my collage training I help out at a local youth theatre- Page2Stage, that specialises in providing a safe place for young people to enjoy performing. Music is also a big passion of mine, playing the drums for nearly nine years and having both my grade 3 and 5 in drumming. I also sing and play guitar, and for the past year have been working on writing music with my sister. I feel that studying at your institution will take me to where I need to be in the future, and I look forward to hearing from you 

upload self tapes 

https://youtu.be/yzxhq8SUPEM?si=3T_AbEiBgSsGVSTX

Evaluation of tape 

initially going into filming this tape I was quite nervous, and had procrastinated filming it before hand as I knew how important it was and wanted the outcome to be one I was proud of and happy to send off. I made sure not to do loads and loads of takes, because I knew that by doing so my performance would get to rehearsed and my energy would not be as strong. I did send a version of this self tape off to one of my tutors and the feedback was as followed: felt too rehearsed and not enough emotion at the beginning compared to the end, along with my eye line as it was too sporadic and unfocused. I took these notes and took down some of the energy I feel I started off with originally, because for me that is what I felt was taking away that realness from my performance and making it seem to rehearsed. I also focused my eyeliner further and gave myself something more specific to look at so my line of sight didn't seem so vague. Overall I am happy with how this final self tape turned out, and love the emotion within my eyes throughout the tape, although I do feel that there is a slight lack of journey in my performance witch is something I want to develop and improve on when rehearsing this monologue further for some of my recalls. I'm happy with the professionalism of this self tape, as I feel the lighting and plane backdrop makes the work that I am doing in my self tape more noticeable, eliminating distractions whilst also showing a clear standard for my etiquette and professionalism.   

Drama School grid  

Which Uni/Route?	Why did you apply here?	What does the course give you?	Have you been successful?
Bristol Old Vic	I loved the broad range of training and the relaxed atmosphere	there is no longer and information on the course, due to it being canceled	I got into the second round, but unfortunately the course was pulled
RADA	The alumni, and the high reputation it holds		I've got a third round, and am waiting to do the audition
Guildhall	The alumni, and high reputation	The first two years focus movement and self lead practises- along with voice work. There's also a focus on both screen and stage acting as preparation for industry in the final year.	I've got a second round, and am waiting to do the audition