September 8th: HE SAAYS IM A PRINCEESS :'(

It's over, the ending of another chapter, the memories that came along with it. The One Act Play. What everybody who loves theatre in newton dreams of. Your moment to shine. To finally have a more private play. A moment to give all your effort and time. And I cant believe my moment had alredy finished. I seems like yesterday that we began searching for ideas for the one act play. As we started with crazy ideas of being bees or even being inside a mouth. I am really happy with the final project. 

Description: 
After  the one act play we had Miss Alicia coming to the class to reflect in the final product we did and some feedback from Roberto of the things missed. It is quite intresting to compare all the previous feedback we used to have to the final feedback and comments about the play. Eveyrone that went to see the play congratulated us as they thought it was really hilarious, but once again as Roberto said the audience was already willing to laugh as they were our friends and classmates. The part that was most harder for me was pronunciation as I just said my text with intentions and characterization but I was not putting that effort in making the lines easy to understand. I thinks was I was more worried about was that the audience could understand the play more than anything that is why we tried to keep it simple. At the end they did and I was really happy about it. Also as a whole there was a lack of RHYTHM, in the play as Roberto thought it went really slow and sort of I felt it the same.

Analysis: 
Overall I am really please with my scene for all the comments and even people chose it was they favourite one. This is because we had an understanding of the audience as our relationship with them was really good. I could hear the 'oohh' or the 'eww' It was more than laughter, they actually reacted outloud of what we were doing on stage. Me and Micaela in our scene we actually entered in a dialogue as Lu told us it already looked as if we were already fighting. As at the last rehersals I decided to put effort and inspire myself. Also the language was WAY better than it had started. It is good that Miss Alicia said that are english was very good. The tone was clear but still; the beginning of my sentences were strong and clear but at the end of the line it kind of drop, and is something I have to work on. The key factor my scene had was dynamism as it was very easy to follow. It had a very good rhythm entretained the audience as it had very intresting energy. This is because I started playing with the scene and actually enjoying it. As before I entered the stage I decided that I would have fun because at the end I am the one who judges myself the most. Also the 'tecnica mixta' we did the one in which they lip sync the dialogue said by another actor was fascinating as we manage to get it perfectly syncronized. I had to do this for the first scene. Most of all it was practicing and taking a slow pace to actually give entonation and emotion to the words rather than just saying the same text at the same time. We had a part in which we said cliché frases more of 'quotes' to fight with each other. This part used to make the scene really static so we added more actions blocking. But we kind of lost the confidence on it as before it was more like a fight, a competition of who said the better frase. But we lost it and I think we should work on it for the following presentations. Overall the play lack of rhythm, is such a pity because in previous rehearsals it was more dynamic and very funny. But also because of the audience some jokes were lost as they laugh and cut lines from the other scenes. In my case we made pauses before continuing. Also! I told roberto about the bangs for my head and he didnt quite like the idea /: but at the end he loved it! (roberto te dije) As it gave me another perspective of my character and it was really melodramatic <3 . 

Connections:
GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM. Firstly we still have certain aspects of a how to pronunce by German Expressionism, as we had to really exaggerate what we were saying as we all had creepy and weird, sort of distorted, voices. This really helped us in MELODRAMMA. Because we had a base to work on as we had to make the play very understandable. Also my scene has a distinguised influenced by moment: shadows. The part of the shower everyone could see my shadow taking a flawless shower. I still remember how stressful it was for me 'showering' in all rehersals'. At the end I saw the pictures and my shadow was stronger than I thought and people could see me very clearly. I have to work more on poses because I was just standing there instead of in a pose showering. The shadow was created by Myra's LiCo, just like in the school play. Another connection to german expressionism. Is the fact that you had to create another character. Change what you see in the mirroir. A new way of looking. 

Reflection: 
I should have started doing an effort at the beggining not just start in previous rehersals before the play. This way you dont get the 100% of your full potential. At the end I started adding things and actually improved my characterization as I realized the one act play was very soon and I did an effort to enjoy it. Playing with the scene and my character. You may all wonder why? why did nathalie started making an effort very near the play? I will tell you all. It was a cold saturday when Roberto decided to say one thing in an instant that would give me a heartache for a lifetime.He said 'Micaela is a better actress than you are' This was quite shocking, no for the Micaela part but because is the worst thing an actress could hear. Telling them someone acts better than them. I was heartbroken! I have always being taught that 'the only person they can compare you to is youself'. That day I lost motivation, even now and then I think of that day. haha just kidding. But still! that was the mayor reason why my energy dropped and I lost motivation and started doing my scene for an obligation more than a fun thing. (thanks rotten) But at the end I realized that the only one that was losing was me. Because there were wonderful things I can gain for this experience. So I standed up and putted my tiara on and began acting and applying things to my scene and it turned up to be awesome. I even improvised some actions and face expressions that the audience loved. This play was also really hard emotionally because I had to act inlove and I was going through a breakup and I was heartbroken. And at the time I got to write my scene I was dating someone so all the script was kind of my thoughts towards him in a very exaggerated way. I even chose the name of Algernon Balthazar Clayton Middleton Mcfarland (the ''love of my life'') as the initial was the same of his. (THE SECRET STORY BEHIND IT HAHA, i doubt anyone read my blog) Ok, the most awkward part was when we stopped dating and we did not talk to each other anymore, once again I was heartbroken and had to act inlove! you see what im saying? But as a professional, I didnt involve my personal life to my acting life. So I just felt what the character felt a the moment. Want to hear the worst part? ''Algernon'' knew I had written my scene thinking of him and that the characters love interest name was given because of him. Even worst when I knew he had to watch the play. awkward! Yep that was my main worry. But you now what? I am Nathalie. I dont care what people think about me. 

Questions:
How can we apply dynamism to the quotes without losing intention? How to practice my lines so I can pronnunciate them well? How to mantein pronunciation? How can we apply more rhythm without losing intentions?

P.S; Special thanks to Robbie Rotten, that eventhough he is a bit harsh sometimes he manages to make awesome plays and we have a great time at dramma.

Also thanks to Miss Alicia, I really loved her comments about my acting. She is a great inspiration for me.

Thanks Alejandro; you inspired my scene and made my emotions be on the edge. 

Slapstick much?

26 MAY 

Description

This week we started working on estacion 4. Which were the scene of  'Las pruebas'. In which the man has to go through a series of tests in order to get his new job. This scene was previously worked on and because of the absence of the Doctor. I had to replace in several opportunities and really help on the Doctor scene. This is because there was always someone missing. We tried to give more dynamism to this scene. I think this scene is really creative because it shows the three main stages of tryouts. Which were the answering of hard questions, a psycological test and the medical test. We had different proposals for each of them as we manage to have a more fixed actions to apply to the script. Also we were able to finally develop more this scene as it is crucial no have all the scenes. I think this was the harder one because there was always someone missing and they had to keep up. Eventually I helped a lot replacing everyone. But the scenes changes completely when all the actors are complete. We also worked on their voice characterization and its pitch. As sometimes they talked really low and they had to talk in direction to the audience in order to be heard. Also some characters were missing some elementes of german expressionism thats why we ask them to be more 'deformed' as to create a more intresting effect.

Analysis

We used the tecnique of blocking in order to get more ideas for the scene. Different ways of saying the script with intention instead of just saying the text evokes the effect of overwhelming we wanted to achieve. The entonation and pronunciation of the actors was the weakest point although they were doing a good job they did not put the enough effort into it. That is why they needed further work and try to pronunce the words correctly because then the audience does not understand what the characters are saying or either what they want to transmit. This made the scene lose power and made it seem bad prepared. Also the fact that they were leaving too much time between lines. They needed to say their text really fast without leavin gaps in order to create dynamism. The fact that the doctor part is meant to be funny, in order to achieve this dynamism was crucial but actors were taking too long to say what they were ment to. This is why we gave them more creative actions while speaking faster. Also im really impressed by the work of 'The jefe' as I see it very creative and managed have a great voice characterization. The relationship between the man and the jefe had to be establish. After some rehersing we made the jefe give the man more pressure and overwhelm the man. This achieved a great effect to the audience as we seen the struggle of the man in order to keep up with the jefe.

Connections

I see some connections between this scene and 'A matter of dissection'. This is because 'a matter of dissection' was a really great and got a lot of possitive comments as everybody thought it was funny and enjoyable. The same effect is tried to achieve in the doctor part. We also try into putting some slapstick in that part because it would give more comedy relief. We indeed have a part that is very funny and I think the audience really is going to enjoy it (dont want to say it, i hate spoilers). Also the 'enfermeros' connection to the oompa loompas as they are ment to act weird and sort of be like 'los tres chiflados' in order to make it more funny and dynamic. I think this scene will give a comic relief to the play as we hope it will be a hit.

Reflection

This week was really hard working as we had to place the stage to the scene of the prubeas. over and over again. But is alright because we needed to really establish who was going to take what in the changing of the scene. This is one of the main elements of the play as we try more to give a zombie-like change of scene as to make it believe that is part of the scene itself, which it is. This creates a whole new complete look to the play, I think is rather original than just having backstage running and changing the setting. It gives the audience to reflect more about the hostile world and how dreams change into reality and so on in a distorted way. Just like german expressionist itself. We are not trying to hide anything we are trying to show the change, the slow transition to the hostile world. Also I learnt, something that I already knew. It is crucial that everyone should come to rehearsals because we change things very quickly to make them fit. And when people are absent they missout and we slow the process. 

Las papas se queman

description

This week have been a really challenging week for me because I have been really ill and I was not able to go to school and I had to miss one play rehersal. I need to catch up with the work in class. I just managed to go to one theatre arts lesson, in which i learnt about rhythm in more depth than before. During rehersals I was not feeling to well either but i am really excited we got to finally start to work in my scene that is the office. Unluckly for me that I could not enjoy it fully because of my health. 

analysis

This week I learnt about rhythm and that is a kind of tone we could say of the play. Which defines the mood of the play in a way. For example if could be really fluent and relaxed. This can be shown by the design elements that convey into a rhythm and gives the play a way to be. for example the in proyeccion privada the rhythm of the play in the 'green scenes' also known as the dream scenes ( in which is the woman's perception of the world) the rhythm is fluid and relaxed yet tense because it tries to create confusion by the use of masks and random props that appear. In contrast of the reality scenes the rhythm is really harsh and unconventional this can be reflected bu the short/long dialogues because contrast each other at all times. Also the fact that there is no dialogue and only music creates a total new effect in the audience because it gives anothe rhythm to the scene as it create a flow sensation in this case because the music tranquil as it trying to create amends. I learnt that is better to define the rhythm by the analysis of the design elements rather than concentrating on the acting. I also look a bit about pitch and that is the central idea of the play in this case for proyeccion privada was 'the consequences of watching too much television' this is because the woman is no lo her satisfyed by ther reality but rather rely on television. 

In rehersals I learnt more about creating a scene. In the first rehersal i attended we had to start developing from a set of base dialogues our director gave us and try to add more to it by improvising. We had a good work as we first tried writing a script but I learn that is better to act and do blocking as to get a brainstorm of things that could happen and that we can use for our scene. Furthermore in the next rehersal on saturday we continues to work on my scene which is the office. we placed the scenery as it is ment to be with props that are the typewritting matchines. I was not feeling really well so I could not manage to work at my full capacity. This rehersal help us to develop more our characters and create a really tense atmosphere in the scene for the man to feel pressure of the real world. So We had to create little text to say at the same time to create kind of a riot on the office as to create the sensation of one. Everything happening at once. This effect is really fun but I learnt that there are certain frases you repeat, those that nobody hears but creates noise. I had forgotten about it as I havent apply it for a long time. This is really intresting because it gives realism of everyone speaking at the same time.

connections

There are several connections in this analysis. First of all the fact of the rhythm brings me back to all the previous school plays I have being because the rhythm had to be really determined in each scene. We also had to be careful and not be monotonous so we had to apy different rhythm within the play to create dynamism and attract the audience. 

This gives me a connection to 'confesiones' because there were different rhythms because she changes rhythm everytime she was acting. also each character she performed had a different rhythm as to show contrast in the and the rhythm was state by the characters personality. The design elements went acording to the character portraying more the rhythm. There is also a connection in all of the previos plays but more from down to earth because it really had freedom of speech as each one created its scene from basics and this time we are doing kind of the same because we are applying our ideas to the scene. This is really great because rather than do what we are told we get to have more fun with the character and actually find a reason for why we are saying a line rather than just say it because we have to.

reflection

I hate being sick. I have missed a lot this week because for real many things happen in a week in school. I missed all the fun! I really enjoyed my character and is such a pity i could not develop it more on saturdays rehersal. I was really afraid all this time that i might loose all the character developing because i knew I wasnt going to be able to work in my character for a long time. All these weeks I have being helping other scenes that was really important but i missed a lot of character work. I really look foward into putting an effort into seeking again the character. Also is really hard to make a different voice and worst in my case because I had throat ache. But hopefully im going to be better and healthier on the next rehersal and in going to put all my effort into it.

questions

how do you re explore a character? how do you not hurt your voice while changing it? how to speak louder in the theatre? 

Best of Both Worlds

Description

This week in theatre we did several things. In which it includes a research of a certain topic, in my case distorted shadows.  We also had to do some research in our design task for th play, mine is make-up. After school we also had rehearsals as usual and as I appeared in the last scene I had to help direct. In this week I helped in 'Estación 2' in the family scene.

Analysis

First of all I would like to comment on my topic which are distorted shadows. I have a wider knowledge of this use of shadows and is really going to contribute in my more in depth research of my topic. I learned that the shadows create a contrast of light. It also gives another look to the same character. It creates various effects throughtout the plays. For example in Dr Caligari the shadows were actually fixed as they were painted as part of the scenery. This gave me a complete new perspective of shadows as I was not aware of the different tecniques that were applied. I need to improve my research because I need to explain how it is helpful for me rather than describing the source. Is the first time I do source analysis in theatre and is quite intresting. 

Apart from that research I did another on in my design task. I did a powerpoint full of pictures to show my makeup ideas. I also had various creepy makeups which we could apply to the play. I also found intresting the propposal of contouring. This is meant that you use a darker powder to contour your facial factions in order to exaggerate them. I have used contouring before but in a more natural way but it is going to be more fun to make it exaggerated for the characters in the play. I have to also create exaggerated physicallity. for each character of the play. This is going to be a really challenging thing although I love makeup it is going to be really hard to create extremities like longer fingers. I have to start looking for materials or maybe were I can buy them.

Furthermore I continued to help in the family scene which in my point of view has improved a lot. I is really hard to work in this scene as it is static because only few characters actually move and we havent been working in the moving chairs or piano because we dont have the actual props or scenery but instead of complaining we are trying to give more dynamism of the same. I would like to mention that it is also hard to find actions when there are monologues because it takes a lot of time and characters actually start to get repetitive as they have to be a long time listening to the characters speaking without interacting and just staying. So one propposal would be having a spot light in characters which are doing their monologues and blackout in the other characters rather than taking them away from the scene. I would like to comment that for me the actors are working really hard not only by learning their lines but to listen to the fedback and actually applying it.

connections

There are several connections on of the is a few years before at Miss Alicia's class we had to research for several estimuli's to help us have a better base for our character. We are doing the same when researching more in depth of german expressionism because we can really apply it by been aware of intentions. Also in Miss Alicia's class we did a research of Lima in the 80's in order to have a wider knowledge of the context of the sketch we were going to perform. This is were I think is really useful to do research because you just dont do thing for doing it but there is a deeper meaning to it and you are aware of the purpose of your actions.

Reflection

Altough I like more the practical part of theatre because I adore to act I have to work harder in the theory part because I am not really good at describing the processes or analysing deeper meanings as I do it by myself rather that write it. I definetely have to work more on my connections because I forget were did I learnt that in. I think I am improving more in directing because I am taking it more seriously than before and I am going to work harder in my theory part of doing the research and my work. I think that in order to be great at theatre you need to have the best of both worlds which are theory and practice. Because you need to be aware of what are you doing in order to do it. Miss Alicia once told me that I had to work on both not just one. My weakness is theory because I dont dedicate a lot of time to the work but now im more aware of it and im determined to work on it.

Questions

How do you improve your connections? how to apply more dynamism to the scene? how important are design elements? how do I improve my research?

Dedicated to my loving teacher Miss Alicia, who always saw me as a great actress :)

Gypsy

description

This week was hard. I was really attached to the theatre course this week because of the homeworks and the rehersals. We learnt more about german expressionism and at rehersals I had to help direct the little kids and the older ones. I dont want to say the name of the scenes because I dont want to spoil the play! I realise that the process of the play is hard and a lot of hardwork is needed.

analysis

Firstly, I had to say that I really struggle by making my theatre homework because this course is really demanding that the others because I have three times more homework  from this course. And actually by adding all the extras our I have to stay to the play rehersals takes all my time to make my theatre homework. But actually I enjoy this course because is my favorite one. This actually thought me to organize my time because I realise how important this is for me not only as a course but as a process of my personal learning. At theatre class we cotinued making a deeper learning of german expressiosm. As my role in the production task of the play is make-up I started talking about it and my reflecting we got to the conclution that make-up is used to exaggerate their factions of face expression which are really fixed and mask-like faces. This was in ordeer to break conventions as they imagine what would people look like, act and behave if society would not influentiate in their way of being. Instead expressionism rejects this at all.

Moreover, I had to help direct one scene that was made by kids from grade 6. This was the most challenging thing that I have done so far. This is because you have to show authority to the little kids because then they do not take you seriously this was really hard to me because overall my personality is really playful that serious. So my first encouteer with children was not really successful but I am working on it. I actually got a nickname 'gypsy'. The kids are really adorable but at the same time inmature. This was when I learnt that the process of the play is really challenging and needs a process to improve. This also thought me that I have to be more careful with my director because he might feel the same stress. This gave me I new experience and actually started seen the play starting to develop.I also helped in a scene were two of my friends are acting. This scene although is performed by other actors have the same challenges. They listen more and are more aware of their acting and ways to improve. But as every scene it was to be pulish and directed in order to make it perfect. I learnt that directing is really hard but im working to improve.

 connections

I actually connect to all the plays I have been in because the roll of the director is really needed because you can see the difference from a directed play than an amateur one. For example El valle oscuro altough it was a quite decent play it was obvious that they did not have an director because there were many mistakes and things that were not corrected and I feel that if they would've had an director the play would had being better in every aspect. Also in Confesiones from Ana Correa you can clearly see how there was a director behind because all her actions are well established and directed as it give you a complete and well developed play.

reflection

I learnt how hard is to direct and understand the feedback and actually applied it. For me is easier to act than direct because I enjoy acting while I have directed only a few times. But as being an actress I think is key to know how to direct because the process of theatre is to know every aspect not just acting. I think I have to improve in that aspect and actually develop more my directing skills. I will act more strict with the children because it is important in order to create the play and for it to work that as an Ib student I should impose respect. I also started to see the play differently is wonderful how a first idea starts developing and Is great to be part of the process of creation. Each time I see a scene now I imagine it with all the design elements and how great it would look at the end. This makes me really excited! I hope we manage to accomplish a great play and I know we will.

final question

how do you improve directing? what are the most difficult issues of an director?how do you know when your scene is perfect?

Dedicated to Roberto, Gracias por soportarme todos estos años!

The HunChback

description

Last week was pretty intense, reason why I did not write my blog. But that that does not mean I do not have to do last week's blog. So here it is. Last week I fully developed my character by adding a hunchback. I also learnt more about German Expressionism and I had the wonderful experience to watch a play were the structure was dream-reality-dream just like our play is going to be.

analysis

Firstly, I woul like to start with my character. By the begging of last week I thought that the hunchback would not help my character at all. This was because I have never heard about doing a hunchback and I did not like the idea at all. But as an actress I listen to my director and tried the proposal. The hunchback completely changed the way a saw my character as It brought life and grotesque to it. It was wonderful! I is incredible how a prop changes your body expression. I kept the way of walking of my character. But I add more things to it and made it more expressionist. This taught me not only to listen to my director but that small things like a hunchback can contribute a lot in the developing of your character.

Moreover, last week I also learnt more about german expressionism. We went through conventions in order to apply them to our character and our play. Is really intresting how things transform as we learn more. We finishing the writing of our scripts. Because of analysing the plays I was able to get ideas from the dreams of masses and man. And make a dream like scene in another perspective and using some ideas from the play. This helped me into the undestanding of german expressiosm that dreams can be distorted and insane! But obviously following the conventions and exploring feelings.

Furthermore, we went to watch a play called proyeccion privada. This is were I realise how theory and practice differ! All this time we were talking about making the game of the play reality-dream- reality but I had never seen that before. In this play we were able to appreciate this and the most important thing was that the dreams were in green light. This totally relates to our play were we intent to put color to our dreams. This gave me a whole new perspective of our play because something is to be told about it and another thing is actually see it in practice. Now I have more ideas for the dreams and how to connected with the scenes as to create different levels of reality. This play also taught me that the use of props is really essential for the play because otherwise it looks dull and less attractive to the audience. There are thing that definetely we should apply to out play. For example the clock at the dream. Because they lighted it meanwhile they were in a dream. Apart from looking amazing it shows the relativity of the time.

connections

There were several connections. First of all Shadow Queendom because was hard to understand if we did not use props and this was the way to differenciate characters as many people were the same character. This contribute the fact that the props help you develop more the character like my hunchback. This also was presented in El valle oscuro as the props really contributed into the characters because it was a really dynamic play. Also there is a connection of Confesiones because each character was way different from the other and this was achieve by the body expression but also by the props that contribute the characterization.

reflection

In that week I learnt a lot about characters and key things that help it develop more. The fact that we went to see another play gave me new perspective of our play and brand new ideas to be applied in the process of our because it is wonderful how another reality is created by the lightning and the use of props. But also by the actions of the characters that seem to be unreal which make us differenciate the levels of reality. I also learnt that we never actually finish learning as we improve by time. I dont know if i could develop more my character as i just realise that is possible to create more stuff to go with it. Also by learning more german expressionism conventions we can apply more to our play and actually understand why this things present. I actually learnt that the grotesque is because they want to reject traditional conventions to see the people in a fix way thats why they make their characters be exaggerated in every sense. They imagine how people will really act if there was not a society with tell them the correct way of behaving. I also learnt to use close shoes instead of sandals while going to watch a play because you can get injured like me ):

final question

Is my character finished? How to you accomplish a perfect dream scene? How do we manage to develop new actions? Will my foot ever heal?

 

Dear Diary,

Description

This week in theatre arts I learnt a lot while creating my character inside out.  We started by breathing energy and then focusing in a centre of energy of the character. Later we chose an animal and a character that inspired us to base our character on. Then we explored way of walking and mannerisms. Once we had this we began by making sequences. After having a sequence we added the voice of the character while counting to ten. Finally we added sound and eventually words.

Analysis

As I said before I created my character inside out. We started lying in the floor and breathing meanwhile we listen to music. The energy flowed as in and out of the body while breathing slowly. We imagined the energy flow that converted into a colour and a density. This needed to be done really concentrated otherwise you get distracted and loose the process. After it we located the place were we wanted all the energy to be concentrated. This helped me to achieve to know the centre of energy. I started to stand up with the centre of energy pulling and making the energy coe out from it. This was a key factor because it helped me to know how my character would stand up, as well, as choosing an animal. I chose a female cat as I thought of the way it act while feel threaten. I also chose Bellatrix from harrypotter as a base character, because I love Helena Boham Carte's way of acting and interpreting the character. I feel both Bellatrix and my character have a lot of similar aspects because they are kind of instable woman but at the same time powerful. My way of breathing was really fast kind of waiting to attact. The way of walking came as my character stepped really strong as to impose herself. I played with levels and used a strong look. I used a pen to represent my power just like Bellatrix uses her wand. With the pen along came the mannerisms, which applied with the way of walking. This helped a lot into building the character because you get to know more about it by knowing how it moves and behaves. In the sequence we had to put 10 movements. I chose to do strong movements and stares. The changing of movements was fast and staccato. I had some moments when I moved in legatto to exaggerate my movement. Then I added a lot of face expressions. I tried a lot for it not to be repetitive but to have different levels and actions that were increscendo and actually ended in the floor. Not only the movements’ growed in speed and streght but the emotions of my character grew by the things happening. For me it was hard to put words into the things I was doing because I did not know what to say. But then with a little help I started imagining a scene of what was happening. I achieved to know what to say. This helps me have another perspective of the character as it started becoming a full character. Also I developed a low pitch voice, which was slow and have kind of an accent. This helps me know how to explore with my voice and how the voice gives a whole knew look to this character.

Connections

I had various connections to my theatre class in school because we are learning from German Expressionism. One of these connections was that I did not have a character but I created its personality based on something that came from me. In this case I acted like an exaggerated version of myself when I am mean and I feel threaten. Also as German Expressionism is exaggerated but not funny. I tried not to be funny but to create a bitter effect on the people.

Reflection

In conclusion, I have learnt a lot this week because in previous plays I did not have the opportunity to have a deeper developing of the character but just did what I was told, that is kind of oppresing. But I think is great that actually in this play we get to use the conventions of german expressionism. You create a character from your deeper emotions and try to reflect inner feelings by it. Also I love German Expressionism since I was younger because I absolutely adore Tim Burton's movies. It is really intresting for me that I get to know the origins of Tim Burton's movies. I love how sometimes things that I like get to be involved in the things that I have to learn. So this learning is actually intresting for me. Is a new propposal that im fascinated with.

Final Question

Can we create a character without exploring? If we get a determined character we opress the actor? Is there another way explore a character?

Confesiones..

Description.

We saw 'Confesiones' a demostration of work from Ana Correa. She was the only one in the stage the whole time. She told us about her characters and things that inspired her in order to create them. After each introduction of characters she went and used another part of the stage in which she performed as the character itself. There were two parts of the stage, one in which there was a chair and a bunch of props and costumes, and the other half was made of masking-tape in the floor forming a big square in which she performed as different characters. She welcome us as a character and interacting. Afterwards sat on the chair and started introducing not only her biography but specific things that contributed to create the following character. She presented us six character, each one very different from each other.

analysis

First of all, i would like to start with the introduction of this play. Ana Correa dressed as a nurse and throwing toilet paper to the audience. At first you did not realised it was actually Ana Correa performing as it had complete use of body characterisation. She used a mask, which is a primary symbol in theatre, it had a happy face expression. This symbolizes that everyone is happy wearing a mask as it camuflages your true self and feelings. This is the highest point of the play, one taken the mask of it was a more serious appeal. This was a strong beggining as it brought the audience to interact with her and had a fun time. This achieve the audience attention.

Furthermore, she sat down at the other part of the stage and she took off the mask. This unmasking was like showing herself, her real emotions, her real expressions. She looked at us directly, as she spoke about her experiences not only of theatre but her personal life. This establishes a closer approach to the audience as we get to know her thoughts while creating a character. She continued by taking pieces of her costume and transforming it into another character, this time it was a lady. She explains that she chose aspects from that lady because she met this lady who lied about herself in order to sell stamps. For me this was surprising because Ana Correa took things from her and adapted into her character as to create a full character based in that woman who really inspired her.

Moreover, she continued like this stripping into different characters, this was very symbolical as each time each character became more vulnerable. As she proceed to explain each character she actually ended up becoming it. It was fascinating how by stepping to another part of the stage she becamed her character.  When she acted like a teacher, she used a really strong voice and staccato movements. This is because she wanted to express the agressive teachers of that era. She also used a mask and started banging the desk. This represents that the teachers became not only monters but robots of themselves. Another surprising moment was when she acted like this lady that was hanging her wet clothes. This was a really strong image because she pictured the clothes as a baby, because she could have one in real life. So she apported that into the character in order for it to be more realistic. This made the audience feel identify because we sometimes have this week moments and we need to express ourselves. At the end of the play she performed as a woman from the jungle. She was topless this was because it symbolizes the woman in times of terrorism that reveal themselves in order to get the attention of the people to have food for their children. She used this aspect and applied it to her character. Also she blowed this whistle and used zampoñas and used them as wings. She did this in order to make the jungle the main setting without actually referring to it. She wore this tunic full of pictures and writing from the victims of terrorism. This made us feel not only pity but we were horrifyed by the things they did to the victims. She made us surround her, this established a better connection as if to be closer to this vulnerable character, as she opens up into telling us the suffering there was.

Connections

For me there was a connection with German Expressionism. I realised that in germa expressionism they use their personalities and exaggerate them, in order to create a character with realism. In Confesiones, we were able to see key elements of Ana Correa as she explains how she actually took parts of her personality into the character.  For example 'the teacher' she realised that she actually had sometimes the same personality and learnt about herself. Also in the woman with the wet clothes, she used her experience of not being able to have a child in order to exploit it and use it for the personality of her character.

Also there is another connection towards German Exp. There exaggerated movements in the character of the teacher, when she started shouting and moving her face so much that it actually began looking like a mask. Just like the expressions used in G.E.

Reflexion

From the beggining I got really attached to the performance of Ana Correa as I thought it was really inspired. This was because it combined two of my favorite things biographies and acting. It is really different watching a play and get your own interpretations than actually getting to know how an actor gets to form a character step by step. Knowing what things were going through your life and which aspects got attached to you character process. For me this was very touching because there is not a perfect life and is really brave for her to open up and tell her own experiences to the audience. This showed how confident she was to be able confess her thoughts, desires and worries. I learnt that she gave voice to the people who could not speak for themselves. Taking little things, from people who inspire her and building a character to transmit thoughts. She said she felt she let their characters use her body as a way to communicate. I also learnt that growing as an actress is also growing as a person. Being able to recognize your errors, and see yourself through other eyes. Theatre is the art of people. So you have to know yourself well in order to act like somebody else. I think Ana Correa actually taught me it's ok to try new things, to not do what you normally would do. But to not be afraid of trying something completely differrent. Acting is a personal thing and it helps you to be more open and by not doing what you normally do you learn your barriers until which point you are able to go. Is an emotional trascendence.

Final Questions.

How can you be able to manage changing character really quickly? How much of an impact have characters in us? Which skills are the most important in theatre? Do we always depend on ourselves to create other characters?

I dedicate this to La dama de estrella, Scarlett and Consuela. These are my three characters I was able to perform in school plays. And to appologize for those characters which couldn't appear in other school plays. 

Introduction

Welcome to my blog. Fist of all I would like to say that this is the first time I actually write a blog. I'm looking forward to learn a lot this year about theatre and different conventions. As I expect myself to work hard and dedicate all my time into learning. Many people have told me that this course is more demanding than others, which makes it more intresting for me. 

Theatre has always inspired me because acting is my passion. Since my first drama class back in 5th grade, I decided that Theatre Arts was for me. I believe that this year's play is going to be really different and special, as the other IBer's and myself are going to take part of the production. For me the key factor of the play is the production as you get to learn from other people in order to create magic in the stage. 

This year I am not only going to grow as an actress but also as a person full of knowledge. For me, 'All the world's a stage' - Shakespeare.