31/01/12 Micro

We began today with zip, zap, boing to get us active and energetic. We then did some shouting voice excersises to prepare us for the rehearsal's shouting. We reheased a section of one of my monologues where the other actors enclose me and shout sections of their monologues to create confusion. This was to help improve the timing of the other performers. I recieved praise from Eric for my use of facial expressions in this section. We then moved on to the opening monologue where we implemented a part where the other performers beat their heart rhythmically to accompany my monologue. In the next part of my monologue, I was asked to improve my use of intonation to make sections of it appear more sarcastic and manic. We also worked on my characterisation during the more somber moments when Aaron is planning to tell the audience what happened. The group and I discussed ways I could show Aaron's more sensitive side, while keeping it interesting. For example, they suggested I should leave longer pauses between some of my lines and show a clear inner monologue through my use of physicality.

24/01/12 Micro

We began with a few vocal and physical warm-ups to help us focus and prepare for the rehearsal. We then did a vocal only rehearsal of the first few pages to ensure that we all knew our lines, that we knew the order of dialogue and that we were confident with our vocal characterisation. I think this helped as I had a chance to focus and understand what I was saying without having to worry about my physicality. We then rehearsed the first couple of pages of the play without script. This was to give Eric a rough idea of how long the final piece would be. It also prompted us to work without the safety of a script. We then performed the beginning section in front of a small audience. We got a positive response from all of the audience members which I think increased the confidence of everyone in the group. Eric also noted that we performed better in front of an audience than during normal rehearsals. One part of my performance which I needed to improve was my gesture. Both myself and Eric believed some of my hand movements appeared unnecessary or irrelevant. So we worked through the first few pages analysing what my hands were doing and what they should be doing. I learned that I needed to keep my arms at my side more so they are not distracting. I am now attempting to only move my arms and hands on certain lines such as: "The Centre" when they are relevant to the monologue. We also spoke about my characterisation. Eric wants me to "lecture" more during my monologues. To put stress on words that a lecturer such as a teacher or a priest would. I am going to try and practise this in my spare time. I am also going to learn more of my monologues.

18/01/12 Micro

The Director was ill today but had left me with instructions to build a character profile and explore the relationship between Aaron and his sister Adrian. Hanna and Jenna were also absentleaving only myself and Lewis. We began by running the first few pages of the play, skipping parts which required Hanna or Jenna. This helped us focus and gave us a starting point for the rest of our work. We then went into some detail discussing and inventing the fictional lives of our characters. We started with Kyle, a character who monologues on how his father is dying of cancer. We began by reading all his speech in the play to try and understand him better. We read that he is angry at his father for dying, despite knowing that it is not his fault. This suggested that he is very close to his father and is unlikely to have spent a single day of his life without seeing him or talking to him. Kyle cannot comprehend that when his father eventually dies, that he will never hear his voice again, which is likely the source of his ager for his father. We also read that Kyle and his father had attended prayer circles. This suggests that Kyle is religious and believes that his father will go to heaven. We believe that this comforts him enough to be able to talk about his dying father. We then began to discuss Nate.