Practical Skills

Development of Characters-

In developing my character, I did research into my character and created my own image of how I wanted to present my characters. I had to change the concept of some on my pieces in order to fit in with the theme of Cabaret. For Example, for Fly Fly Away, I would have originally set it out in a bedroom like the musical and create more dialogue and more of a scene around it but as that doesn’t fit with the theme, I decided to draw away from that and have my solo with me sitting centre stage on a charge singing out to the audience. Also known as a torch song. As I was limited with my surroundings I had to find ways in which I could deliver my character’s message clearly and looked at singers such as Adele to help me get a feel of how to sing out to the audience and tell a story. As for my Character, whilst singing through the song, I studied the words and would think about what my character was feeling at each point in song and how I can show that. I did a number of exercises and used the Stanislavski Method to help me explore my character in depth, this allowed me to feel my character more and really get into her shoes as I had more knowledge on what was happening and how I would be feeling. For Look What Happened to Mabel, I again had to change the concept which meant that I was important for me to portray my character well. In regards to the song it tells a story in itself, and during rehearsal I listened to the song and thought about what she was saying and found her persona to be comedic and ambitious. With gaining this knowledge it allowed me tell my character’s story and interact with the audience.

Vocal Training and Physical Training.

As for vocal training, I would have a singing lesson once a week as well as working on my vocals at home. During the lessons we would warm up and then work on any song in which we struggled with. Take me or Leave me was a song in which Dylan and I needed help with as we weren’t as confident with some of the phrasing and timing. This also applied with all of the songs as Dylan and I would be singing most of the songs, it was important for us to work on them individually and become confident with them. As for warm up we would do Bella Mamma and Breathing exercises to help with breath control. Outside lesson, during rehearsals before singing through any songs, the company would do a Five-minute vocal warm which would include songs, articulation exercises and memory games such as tongue twisters which is also good for articulation. Down below is a vocal warm up in which we would use from time to time. As for physical training, we would work as a group in Jazz on developing the group pieces with the guidance of our dance teacher who would often give us feedback. Before every physical lesson we would warm up for 10-15 minutes before getting into rehearsing fully.

Home practice

In preparation for unit 12, I also worked at home and mainly worked on my solos at home as working on duets and group pieces during college was more convenient due to the studio spacing. whilst rehearsing my solos as home I would begin by warming up my voice by doing exercises that are listed above and maybe singing a couple songs to help warm up voice. I then would spend 45 minutes per solo, focusing on the lyrics and particular notes in which I needed to work on holding. After rehearsing I would then perform to my mum and ask for feedback on how I could improve more. The more I got into character the more effectively I would sing the song. During the Easter holiday I had fallen sick and had a bad throat, continuously coughing, blocked nose and ears. Being unwell made it difficult to perform to the best of my ability as due my blocked ears I was unable to hear myself. In order to help me get through the day, I would drink tea every morning before rehearsal and take medication. As it got closer to the performance, my throat became worse and dry and I would cough nonstop the whole day. This happening made me nervous but I manage to make it through the performance.