Skip to main content

Show Performance Review:

Show Performance Review: 

Robyn’s Jazz – “Big Time”:

Because this number opened the show, and it required high energy, slick execution, and performance precision this had the pressure of starting off well. I found the tight formations and group unison sections especially challenging in earlier rehearsals, but during the show I managed to stay connected to the group while still performing with projection. One thing I noticed was how easy it is to let facial tension or over-concentration show when you’re trying to hit sharp movements and I'll continue t keep working on this. That said, the routine felt tight, and Robyn’s feedback about dancing “bigger” in space finally clicked for me on stage. I pushed further with performance energy and really tried to fill the space especially as the stage was larger than I'd anticipated. Because hadn't been able to settle nerves yet properly, I found some sections became more wobbly than they are usually are, such as the turns and unison dance breaks. I think this would have improved with time especially as I already saw significant improvement between the afternoon show and and the evening.

Macy's "Money" – Emcee:

This number was one of the most demanding from a performance perspective. The Emcee requires magnified stage presence, detail, and control, especially with the vaudeville-style theatricality. The oversized suit and gloves created a few movement challenges, and I had to exaggerate my physicality to make sure the shapes read clearly on stage. By the time we hit the show, I felt much more at home in the character. The energy of the audience really fed into the performance, and I was able to deliver with confidence and a sense of play. I’m proud of how much the character evolved since the early rehearsals, and how I felt very relaxed into it on stage thanks to all of the research I had conducted and feedback I had received. The only challenges I really faced was setting the chairs and some spacing issues we had to fix in tech. The intense lighting and spotlight was also to interesting play around with, I had so much fun transforming into this role. I would to have spent more time in this role to see how much further i could take it.

Emma’s Lyrical – “Burt Bacharach”:

Emma’s piece was a joy to perform. It was emotionally nuanced and required a deep sense of musicality and control. I felt calm and present throughout, though there were moments when nerves affected my breath and made the movement feel slightly restrained. Such as on the ‘so for at least’ counts I was off because of not finding my core stability to ground myself. I really tried to extend through my limbs and embody the flow Emma had worked so hard to shape. The costume had initially been a challenge in rehearsals due to the length, but after the adjustments, it allowed for fluidity without interfering with the lines. I found moments of real connection in the duet and trio sections, and sharing that energy with my peers reminded me why I love this work so much. Next time I could work on integrating breath and emotional intention earlier in the rehearsal process and at the same time improve ankle stability to help with the flow of my movements when I am caught up in the feel of the piece so I have the freedom to really use the musicality to its fullest.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

1- Macy’s Jazz (Money)

 Rehearsal Log 1: Macy’s ‘Money’ – 22nd April Summary of Session: Today, we resumed our rehearsals for Macy’s jazz piece to "Money" from Eddie Redmayne’s live recording of  Cabaret . We spent most of the session working on new choreography and adjusting to the change in pace of the music. Since I’m playing the role of the  Emcee , the rehearsal required intense character work. This role involves intricate movements and precise musicality, as I’m miming the lyrics while dancing. It’s been a fascinating process not only learning the lyrics but also being challenged by Macy to sing while dancing. This, she said, would help with the authenticity of the miming. We also addressed some spacing issues I was facing with the chair and the steps, particularly when traveling through the crowd of people and chairs. Given the large rehearsal studio compared to the actual stage size, I had to adjust my movement to avoid overextending. Additionally, we began the chair hand-clapping secti...

9- Emma’s Lyrical

Rehearsal log  9~ Emma’s Lyrical Session Summary: This rehearsal focused primarily on developing character through dynamics and breath. Halfway through, we watched a video of our performance to self-correct any visible mistakes or irregularities, which proved to be a helpful time-saving tool during the cleaning process. Emma made some adjustments to the timing of the final cannon, making it more manageable and allowing the ending to flow better. She also changed the direction of our exits to add a sense of spontaneity to the piece. Personal Observation: I struggled during this session with executing turns, spins, and sliding motions, as the floor felt rough on my bare feet and aggravated my blisters. Emma advised me and others dealing with the same issue to wear socks to prevent further damage to the soles of our feet. This experience made me realise that I need to incorporate better foot care into my weekly routine to avoid these issues in the future. Research: As a dancer, I’ve c...