Indie's Musical Theatre Blog

This was my final video of my singing solo and significant improvements were made. I had a lot more energy, characterisation and projection within my voice. I sang the song without backing vocals and you can hear me clearly. also, my voice was deep and strong to match the intimidating character I was trying to portray. I danced full out while singing and my energy remained high. My movements did not look lazy, and I looked like I was enjoying myself. My characterisation also improved within my eye contact to the camera to look more intimidating, my jazz movements and my facial expressions which were snide and conceited. However, I dd miss some timing as the karaoke version was very different to the singing version I learnt, but I think I handled the p;roblem well.   

https://youtu.be/wAtSTE8tchI This is my second attempt at singing my solo and there are definitely improvements. I used all the movements this time while singing, which made the piece look more put together. My voice was deeper and stronger in this video, which was my target so I can really embody the character, Velma Kelly. Although, I still need to add more projection as I am quite quiet. The real singer was over the top of my voice but the next time will just be karaoke and me so projection will be important to sing over the music. In the final video I want to have achieved more energy because my movements seem a bit lazy and sloppy. Also, I want to show more characterisation within my face and not just my voice. 

  This is my Matilda write up where I talk about what we did in a rehearsal, my strengths, weaknesses, my targets and what I need to work on next time. Also, it includes screenshotted examples to evidence everything I am saying in the document. 

During this workshop with the director I focussed on spatial awareness as this routine has many formations where we are close together. Therefore, I don't want to collide with anyone while moving in these formations, as seen at (0:07-0:25). I did this well as I did not crash into anyone and kept to my own space so I could fully execute the movements to their fullest potential. For example, I was especially spatially aware when travelling backwards (0:30-0:33). However, I want to improve further by not looking behind me when travelling backwards so the routine looks more professional. Before the rehearsal we did a warm up that got our stamina going as it is was quite fast. This helped up get prepared for the fast pace of the piece. What i have learnt about musical theatre dance is that is very fast and energetic and also it is very focussed on characterisation and acting too, not just dance. My aim for the next rehearsal is to have better timing as things like turning our heads and ...

  This is my Solo assessment sheet, where my director and I assessed my singing solo attempt 1. It covers what I did well and what I need to improve. Also, It includes a SMART target that I set for myself to achieve by the next attempt.  Also, here is my first solo singing attempt video to 'All That Jazz' from Chicago. All That Jazz is the opening number for the musical, as Velma Kelly performs she is unaware that the police are on the way to arrest her for her murder. Velma is a tough and intimidating character so that's what I have to embody when singing this piece by having a deep voice and growls. I can also portray this character through my movements. 

  This is my peer assessment for a Matilda rehearsal done by Phoebe Barr as she is my dance partner In a section of the piece. In this document I speak about the things I did well in the routine and what I can work on next time. 

  This is my write up on the first Rent rehearsal we did for Seasons of love. I mention what we did, why we did it, my strengths, weaknesses and how I will improve them in time for the next rehearsal. This will help keep track of my progress, resulting in a clean and professional performance from me. 

During this workshop with the director we started off with a vocal warm up. We practiced going up and down our vocal registers and then we used straws to blow a tissue on the other side to open up our lungs. This was something we had not tried before but I think it really helped us to reach our full vocal potential. After the warm up, we started to learn the lyrics for Seasons of Love and we all began on the same melody. Once we got further in the song we created a three part harmony and I took part in the lower vocals at (0:07 - 0:10) I am the one in the pink top. This was quite a challenge because when I heard the higher pitched vocalists I kept accidentally joining in with them instead. However, my strength in this workshop was my open mindedness as i was willing to try all these harmonies even though I have never done them before and am not as confident with singing. My target for next lesson is to keep to my lower pitch so the melodies can work and also I need to work on my projec...

  This is my peer observation done by Rae where she gave me feedback on my performance and physical skills throughout our routines. Also, she stated my strengths. I added my own comment in the end to acknowledge that I know where I have to improve and how I will achieve that. 

  This is my Hamilton write up where I speak about our introduction to character and context during our first rehearsal. 

  During this workshop with the director, I focussed on remembering the choreography and executing it well as this was one of the first times I had done this full out. I remembered all the moves well and executed them with lots of energy. This is shown at the circle section (0:51-1:03) where I am clearly in time with everyone while sitting down and picking the chair up and the end. I ensured to emphasise all the movements in between like slamming my hands down on the chair instead of just placing them down. Although I do need to improve on my timing on the freeze frame section at (0:47-0:50) because everyone seems to get to the position before I do. I will make sure to make this change for the next rehearsal. 

  These are my long term smart targets that I have set myself to achieve by my final performance. These will enable me to push myself to improve how I perform. Once I achieve these targets I hope to keep them going beyond the final performance on the 23rd June 2022.  REVIEW OF SMART TRAGETS:  For the acting smart targets I have definitely achieved facial expressions as they are constantly used throughout my performance, especially in Cell Block Tango. I achieved this in rehearsals of my solo section as it increases my confidence. I also said my line in Hamilton confidently by practicing a lot.  For the dancing smart targets I think I have achieved good timing and balance as I hit all the beats and unison sections within the Cell Block Tango and Hamilton routines, and I maintained my balance during moves like arabesques and the fact that I was dancing in heels. I did this while rehearsing by ensuring I was practicing in the heels so I could get used to it.  For t...

  This is my initial skills audit, showing how confident I am within various musical theatre skills. I will use this throughout the year to improve myself and hopefully move all the ticks to excellent understanding. Also,  It will enable me to extend my knowledge and become a better performer overall.