Core Skills in the Performing Arts
Musical Theatre
Suffolk One
.In 2018 my primary school was selected to join Suffolk One sixth form college's production of King And I where I played the small role of buddha as well as being ensemble. This show taught me at a young age how to work in a professional performance environment as the majority of the cast were significantly older than me. It also taught me valuable lessons in the theatre process going from blocking rehearsals to run-throughs to technical/dress rehearsals and finally Performance. This was also the first time I had performed a show consecutively as we did 5 performances in total which meant I had to gain stamina and the right mentality to perform so much.
Member Of PQA
.Principal role of Buzz in The lazy ace (2017) at Shaftesbury Theater. This helped me learn how to work in a professional theatre space and increase my core skills in confidence and time management.
.I was ensemble in PQA's production of Hairspray which allowed me to develop teamwork and other collaborative skills such as communication.
. I was both ensemble and the principal role of JD Wethermoon in the original shows Troubles a Brewin'. This is due to the original show being scheduled and cancelled on the first day of the 2020 lockdown due to the COVID Pandemic. This experience taught me that adaptation/flexibility is vital in the theatre industry as unexpected hurdles constantly rise. After COVID Regulations eased a recast was made and I had gained enough vocal/acting skills to secure a lead in an open audition. Lockdown was definitely a time of self improvement for me which paid off in a role I had previously missed out on.
. My final show as a member of PQA was a production of Legally Blonde. I was cast as the leading man Emmett Forest. This definitely taught me a lot of vital skills such as becoming hardworking, initiative and perseverance. While I found the acting scenes easy it was the solo song 'Chip On My Shoulder' which I had struggled with. As I am a natural bass singer the song was definitely outside my comfort zone featuring mainly tenor notes. These notes were not only high but had to be held in extended belts/runs. While I had previously sung in shows it was nothing to this technicality so in order to successfully perform I went through rigorous vocal exercises to push myself into extending my range. This eventually led to me being able to mix my notes allowing me to tap into my chest voice for the high notes which I had previously been unable to do. This training and will to succeed is what allowed me to successfully perform and even duet with Charlotte (the person playing Elle) who had an amazing singing voice.
CBM
. I played an ensemble role in CBM's production of the High School Musical. the rehearsals for this show were in a remote village shortly after school had ended. This meant I had to arrange travel and improved my management and punctuality.
.In CBMs production of Seussical I was made to multi-role around 8 different characters. This meant I had to be completely organized as their was very little instances where I did not need to be on stage.
GCSE DRAMA
. As part of the GCSE qualification we performed the plays DNA and the Long Road to an audience and examiner. In DNA I played the part of Richard and used the style of Stanislavski to portray the character teaching me how to use a practitioners techniques. For the Long Road I played the part of John a father whose son had been stabbed and had turned to alcoholism. This taught me to take a more naturalistic approach to acting as my musical theatre experience was all about exaggeration and caricatures. I also had to self direct as part of the process which taught me how to look at an extract in a different perspective to create an effective performance as both director/actor. While I was given A 9 in both my devising and practical exam My written work took my grade to a 6 which is still a grade I am proud of.
Transferrable Skills
Work Experience
I volunteered at St. Elizabeth's Hospice Holywells charity shop for a 5 month period. As an E-commerce assistant I successfully sold a variety of products to make profit for the charity. This allowed me to gain key skills in Communication and the assistance of customers helped me learn to listen to others and apply myself confidently in groups to achieve a goal.
For my year 10 work experience I worked at Concertus Ltd an interior design company in Ipswich. I was made to design a performing arts block featuring amenities such as dance studios, auditorium, etc. This task increased my problem solving as I had to figure out several techniques largely independently. It also helped me learn to stay calm in a high pressure environment on a deadline.
Skills Audit
Areas Of Strength
Characterization- Is definitely a strength I possess. I can easily transform words on a page into a believable character with complex nuance and background. I do this by using both emotional memory and empathy to understand a character and the intentions behind their words.
Projection- I can very easily match the energy needed to be given in a performance space whether that means lowering or raising my projection. You could be given an award-winning performance but If no one can hear you what is the point.
Reaction- Acting is reacting. without reaction a performance is not able to immerse an audience into a scene and it is clearly just a performance. I can actively listen to fellow actors lines/actions and react accordingly as whatever character I am portraying
Listening and responding to feedback- If you cannot successfully respond to a directors/choreographers/coaches directions then you cannot successfully work in the industry. Growth is imperative and I can do that by listening to what I need to improve before quickly applying that said feedback.
My Goals/Aspirations
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