Evaluation

I believe the strengthens of my performance were that I knew and conveyed an appropriate clear relationship between characters I interacted with. And had quite good diction and vocal range. I think if I'd had more time I would've liked to work on my understanding and comfortability within my scene where I enter. I don't know why but I just felt weird because although I know what type of girl Dunyasha is at the same time it didn't really make sense to me so I think a result of this I found it hard to commit to it one hundred percent. However I believe that in my final performance I gave it my all as I think that once you have an actual audince it give you a little bit of adrenaline and energy boost. 

I've learnt a lot about naturalism this term. I thought at first that naturalism is just your perception but it isn't. I've learnt how to truly read dialogue and subtext. Understand techniques like want, do, feel and how it's still your interpretation but just with more layers. 

I think that Stanislavki's techniques really helped me in my performance because I knew my perpose and intentions. Which made my work and lines more easier for me because instead of think of my lines I was likening what they mean, why aim saying them and the sort of responses that I'm getting back from others through text or gestures. I think it was easier on me for the fact that in my scene we all new our objectives and characterisations meaning we all had good relationships with each other and were on the same page. So I think that the audince were able to like and understand our scene. 

I think that Felix had great strong characterisation. As he was always in character and knew what he was doing. He had clear sub-stained relationships with others and it was a pleasure to see his character grow though out the course of the play as he was in a lot of scenes and he continue to show you different aspects of his character. He could be really clumsy then sometimes weird and a bit of a loner that talks to much gibberish. Even throughrout rehearsal he had different options on how he may have wanted to play his character. But instead of sticking to one characteristic it wa like as time went one you were seeing and learning new things about Yepikhodov and why people view him in a certain light. Like the way at one point Dunyasha says that he is sweet but annoying.   

Rehearsal

First Rehearsal 

Today me and my group started to work on our scene. 

We talked about our characters and how we believed ee should play them and then we later discussed the sort of relationships we had we each other. 

We then started to block our scene. Which was abit challenging because we didn't know how the other scenes were blocked, so we didn't know if the way we blocked our scene would look right and flow smoothly with the other scenes. 

I was in act three in the second scene (right after the ball) and figuring out my mini-objectives was hard as I wasn't sure if my feelings towards Yepikhodov was a love hate relationship because I know that Dunyasha likes attention but not his but finds it all quite flattering. I had some help by Crystal (ex post 16 student) she helped me with some of my diction when speaking to Yepikhodov so I come across like I find him irritating. I found this funny because even though it seems like she doesn't like him at first glance of reading things she says towards him it seems like there in a werid unrequited romantic relationship. 

Second Rehearsal 

In rehearsal today we blocked our scene by Sarah. So a lot of our own blocking had changed because it wasn't flowing form scene to scene. I worked on my relationship with Yasha. As i new the nature of Dunyasha and Yasha relationship I wasn't aware of how to convey that on stage whilst mostly talkin to others. I think by me simply implying flirty gestures to Yasha whilst doing things and talking to others strengthens my character personality and sends a clear understanding to an viewer/ audience the sort of person Dunyasha is. 

Third Rehearsal 

In today's rehearsal we went through our scene and tired to give it more paste and energy. This is apparent because some of us in our scenes were either not confident with our lines or characterisations which made our scene drag on. We done this really interesting exercise were instead of saying our lines we said something else that is similar to our lines in our characters. This helped because it was more easier to respond in a modern way of speaking and replying to someone instead of the writing in the Orchard because the text instead how people speak today. Also because were doing the play to fit in any time frame it gave me a better perspective of the play as a whole. 

We got to see some other peoples scene  and I really liked Josh K, Rhiann and George's scene because it had paste and they all had really strong characters. This made it pleasant to watch because it didn't bore you and I wasn't confused by there choices. However I do think Raniskya (Rhiann) gave off a little flirtation with Yasha and I don't think they had that sort of relationship. 

Viewing other scenes it was clear that there were a lot of similar things people had to work on which was learn lines, diction and stronger characterisation. 

Fourth Rehearsal 

Today's rehsearal we ran through everyone's scene and done mini run throughs so we know what were doing when and where. We didn't have much time to run through our scene as we all lacked pace and because of this we have to come to an extra rehsearal on Friday to work on our scenes.  

Themes

Week 1 - Themes

Over the last two days we have explored the theme of memory - more specifically the relationship between memory and location.Write a response to why memory is a theme of the text 'The Cherry Orchard'. Write a short response to the work we created.

You were fortunate to see the rest of the year perform. Write a short response to the work of Will's and Simon's group. What themes were explored? What ideas did you develop about the text? How has this developed your understanding

 further? 

I think that the story line itself is a timeless piece and that a magority of people from all walks of life in one way or another, can relate to the Ranyevskay's family situation. In the sense that's we've all at some time felt the sense of loss, pain, love it greed which are just some of the themes mentioned in the play. 

The story revolves around d the cherry orchard estate holding positive and negative memories for the different characters, that are opposites in status. Meanwhile characters like Ranyevskaya creates beautiful imagery of the cherry orchard, although she has many different issues that she tries to avoide or escape from. Where as characters like Lopakin was from a lower social class and worked hard to become a business man, he deals with his problems "head on" unlike other. To him the cherry orchard hold more negative memories and feelings than good.  

In our tutor we focused on imagery and feelings and how the Cherry Orchard effected characters of different social classes. We only used little text which was mostly to give information to our audience and a little diagoue when each group were performing there little piece. I think the way we did ours was benifical to us as actors and observers because we had to use our imagtion and our best judgment in order to think how does this person view the Cherry Orchard and why. What's the relationship like with other. How do they go about life. So in our performance you saw concrast in each group, the good and bad thoughts and feelings. This was also apparent in our faces because we wanted to emobody sadness or happiness through our faces and physicality. 

I thought the way how Simon's class explored pressure and expectations of society was interesting because at the time in the Cherry orchard people were obsessed with status and who was important and who wasn't and the social expectations that people expected of you. 

In Will's class I like the way that they explored role reversal I think that it's a strong powerful theme like in the Cherry Orchard when everyone who came from strong rich backgrounds became poor or worser off in the end and people who came from poor backgrounds who had parents that were surfs and maids, peasants made something of themselves. 

Character Profile/ Research

Dunyasha

• she' vain 
• self absorbed 
• silly about romance 
• seeks social superiority- stays away from hard physical labour 
• looks all put together
• she's attracted to Yasha - ends in heartbreak (lustful) he's arrogant, dresses nice and of a higher status compared to her 
• unrequited love, she doesn't like him but loves the fact someone is interested in her 
• young around,17 years old 
• the name Dunyasha is Russian it means "to seem well"

Dunyasha. I'm allfully in love with you; you're educated, you can talk about everything.  [pause] 

Yasha . [yawns] yes. 

Dunyasha. [look in a small mirror and powders her face] send me a letter from paris. you know i love you, Yasha, so much ! I'm a sensitive creature, Yasha. 

- just like her mistress Dunyasha hold on to her illusions. 

Dunyasha should be quiet and domestic 

But instead she doesn't actually act in an approitate way. She thinks highly of her self. 

She flaunts the fact that she has admires. "Yepikhodov - you know who I mean, the estate clerk - just after Easter he proposed to me." 

"I don't know what to think. He's in love with me, so in love with me !" 

And she doesn't really know her place " Have you no respect? Out of here, Dunyasha."

Songs: 

Fever - Peggy lee & why don't you do right 

Marliyn Monroe - diamonds are a girls best friend 

Beyoncé- why don't you love me 

 

The Cherry Orchard

16/09/14
task 2

In my scene I have the opportunity to explore two sides to my character Dunyasha. She is not of a high status but acts otherwise. when she is around people of a higher status she is quite reserved and quiet but, but once they've gone she comes out of her shell.this is very apparent when around people like Yasha, Firs and Yepikhodov. 

task 3

we worked in character groups Myself, Keira and Maria) for our character Dunyasha. 

we decided that our three things that would worked and link us to the character would be our posture, our walk and us looking and acting quite ditsy. we decided this because from reading the play we understand that everyone especially women wanted to become socially superior by any means. And Dunyasha shows this through her attitude of wanting better and believing she is better. Dunyasha always wants to give a good impression of her self to others, by looking good and always having her hair done. although she is a maid. i know this through her clear uninterest for Epikhodov and lust for Yasha. We wanted to give off the impression that she is quiet childish and is alot like her mistress in the sense that she's very lustful and confuses that with love. 

So for our opening scene we decided to walk with each other on stage at the same time and go to an individual window and clean the window. Whilst walking were going to have great postures because Dunyasha thinks highly of herself. And look happy because she comes across as a happy person ( ditzy, immature, hopeless romantic etc)  

Our super-objective is to be and be seen as socially superior. 

What other people say about you...

Varya "are you still here? Have you no respect? Out of here, Dunyasha." 

Yasha "the ignorance of these people" 

She's so pretty. 

What you say about others...

Dunyasha "I don't know what to think. He's in love with me, so in love with me! 

He's annoying Yepikhodov. 

What you say about yourself...

Im so pretty, everyone loves me. 

I'll get myself a rich man, a handsome man. 

Theatre workshop

Q.What makes a truthful performance?

A truthful performance can only be achieved when an actor has true understanding of the text/context of the play they are performing. This can be done by reading/watching the play and also doing your own research on the play to gain full understanding of it. Once an actor has done this,then they are able to portray a character that they've developed with their own interpretation. This is very important because having a character that is realtable means that the audience would be more able to connect with the characters and most likely enjoy the play. 

When an actor has not done their job it shows in their performance, which could be for a number of reasons. 

- not understanding the play / context 

- no character development 

- no connect to the play itself 

- no opinions or interptations 

When this is the case the audince can tell straight away because usually the actors would be all over the place with their emotions and have no ture purpose or direction as to where their character is going. Also when an actor has no connection to the character or play it shows because in order for the audince to like your piece, your character has to be able to fit into society because now going to the theatre is all about being able to understand, relate and learn about new things.  

Why did Stanislavski encourage relaxation? 

We started the lesson with a relaxation task, were we'd all get into semi-suspine and get on all fours to cool off

Stanislavski encouraged relaxation to help his actors acess their emotions eternally so they could acess them easily externally. I think this is a useful technique because it helps actors to be calm and be able to acess and use their emotions more efficiently and have somewhat a level of control. However I do believe that if an actor is not completely relaxed or controlled that doesn't nesicery mean its a bad thing, having a little nerves can be a good thing. 

Magic if 

On my journey to school I was sitting on the bus next to a young lady and for this excersie the 'magic if'  I decided to embody her and develope her as my character.  I copyied and exaggerated certain qualities of her. For example she seemed either shy or insurcure with her self, I say this because she had a tendency of fidgeting  with her finger/nails, clothes, phone, book and she kept rudely staring at me and other people on the bus. So during the excersie whilst I was walking I kept fixing my clothes, fidgeting with things, constantly looking over my shoulders and having good eye contact with people then looking away really fast when they notice. I walked with quite a slow paste to suggest that I was in a way lost and just drifting away in my own thoughts. I led with my toes because everything else followed my feet were guiding my path and the rest of my body was like it was hiding. 

We were then given a number of what if's to respond to ... 

- what if you found £20 on the floor 

I found £20 on the floor, I noticed it, I looked around and then I picked it up really fast then I looked around again whilst putting it in my bra, then slowly walked away.

-what if you stood in dogs shit 

I was walking around the room in my characters normal pace, then I accidentally stood in dogs shit and once I realised I slowly raised my foot up and wiped my shoe on the nearest wall. In the moment I felt like it was the end of the world like why does everything bad happen to me because I felt that the lady I emboyed didn't seem to happy. 

- what if you had a cup of coffee spilt all over you 

Once someone spilled a cup of coffee on me, I had a melt down and over reacted. 

(She's just not that lucky) 

- what if you lost your wallet 

When I realised that I had lost my wallet I was overwhelmed and very stressed, I started pacing the room and then I started thought tracking my day because I think that that lady on the bus is quite smart a practical and over thinks everything. 

Why did Stanislavski use the Magice if? 

Stanislavski used the magic if to help actors portray the honest objective of the character and help the actor to. Onced to the character. Through this excersie actors can identify with characters and think/ act through them in every day to day scenarios bringing the characters to life instead of impersonating them. 

As an actor how did it get you to think and work? 

Trying to embody , understand and relate to someone that you crossed paths with is very interesting because you normally don't take the time out to try and figure someone out or even just really notice the things they do but subconsciously you remember or pick up little things without realising it. I tried my best to relate to the person I had chosen and have some understanding as to how they would do and go about with things. I've learnt by doing this excersie to not over think things and over act because this person who I was being is human too and exists in the same society that I do. So I learnt to make interpretations about how this persons thinks through my own thoughts and experince. This makes it easier for me because I view this excersie as being another version of myself just with different qualities and elements. 

We then worked on developing our characters were we worked in pairs developing our giving circumstances were the characters would coexist in society. Stanislavski, given circumstances  are when an actor has been given circumstances like location, or what the weather is like and then the actor makes decisions on how they shall act upon the given knowledge. 

I think that having the facts of a scene gives you a better understanding of what you should or could be doing in a scene that is relevant to a character or the situation. This helps you to be more truthful in your performance because your more clear on your directions or expectations. Sometimes if your unaware of your given circumstances it can be hard to have a natural flow to your performance because these no certainty to it, no back story, no reason for the things you are doing. 

We then did the Want > Do > Feel 

I explored the objective for my character. Which was I wanted to get to work, I walked really fast to catch the bus and I felt annoyed and nervous that I was running late to work and there's this guy trying to get my attention. 

An objective is knowing why your doing or saying something the goal the reason behind the things you do. This could be for a scene or a sentence. And a super objective is what your trying to gain or show throughout the whole play, film et. 

We were then asked to think about the ideas of physical actions for the lines we were saying. This can be quite useful because if you can link logically why you move or do something a certain way it makes a more realistic, believable performance for an audience to enjoy and believe. In my scene I was trying to get to work and a young man kept trying to ask me out and join him for drinks. My lines "no thank you ! I'm trying to get to work" so trying to get this man off of me and walk away worked for me and linked to my lines in an approitate way. 

When watching the other groups work, it was clear that everyone had found their own objectives within their scenes because it had a smooth flow and made understandable and believable performance that fitted into today's society, so they were all relatable. 

Task - I Love You 

When you figure out your objective and actions it can completely change the context of your piece and how you perform it. This is important because there could be so many different stories or scenarios within the text and if you don't figure out your own objective your piece doesn't have any direction. 

Me and Josh K found our objective as us being annoying siblings that have a love, hate sort of relationship which can be related to a lot of people.  

The cherry Orchard, Act One 

 

Units are small changes of directions  that happen within a scene that the actors follows which some times changes the objective in the scene. Having and knowing your units are useful because they give you directions for example if you are going to answer the phone and then start to have and argument over the phone, hung up and storm off. Although it may not say this there's indications through the dialogue that help your judgment on your actions.  

What I have learnt that I believe will help me be a better actor is to understand my units, objectives and super objectives because they give your character meaning and propose. Once iam able to do this with any work given to me, my work should be more instinctive and flexible because I'll know what I should be doing because I'll know how to find the information I need to know that will help me.