We will rock you- (show week)
Monday and Tuesday - dress rehearsal/tech rehearsal
My intentions for Monday was to sort out a costume and rehearse the songs and dance numbers for radio gaga, one vision, killer queen, play the game, bohemiam rapsody and flash. There have been issues with all the songs and dances and they were never really coming together. It was mainly down to people not knowing the lyrics to the songs and also timing of both the words and dance moves. The main number that needed a lot of improvement was Bohemium rapsody, it was a lot to do with the timing of the words and confused everyone.  The arrangements of the choreography was unorganised in most dances/song numbers, people were left confused and out of time in most songs. On Tuesday all the cast involved in the songs went through all the songs and dances all day long.
My intentions for the week was to learn the words of the songs, to learn the dance steps perfectly and to also know my cues for my 4 lines as Bob.

GREASE - Act 1 personal review.
Scene 1 - Reunion speech
The opening of (Alma Mater Acapella) was better than I'd ever thought it was and watching over the performance on video, realised that it works very well and sounds impressive as all the casts voices put together had good projection. When Bethan (Mrs Lynch) and Lizzie (Patty) had dialogue I though it was very clear an projected well.
I do feel that perhaps in the 'Rydell prep song' that maybe some more characterization was needed from some, if not most of the cast, although I don't feel it affected the mood at all.
(Alma Mater Parody) I've never actually had any personal views on this part as I've never really seen it before, but all I have to say is that it needed more energy, more "boyish" energy, the concept of this part is the boys making fun of Patty and Rydell but I didn't really get that vibe. However, the diction in the song was very clear and also projection was good and out towards the audience.

Scene 2 - Flashback to high school cafeteria
Emily G.(Marty) good actions and reactions, characterization, strong posture, good entrance as does Sarah(Jan) who also has good body language and  both with strong American accents. Lindsey(Rizzo) and  Polly(Sandy) nice accent, innocent(Sandy) and more out-going(Rizzo) characterization was strong.
Joe(Doody) strong American accent, good body posture. Abi(Roger) actions and reactions very well. Max(Kenicke) had great body language and voice projection. Beth(Miss Lynch) really great characterization, perfect body language and accent was impressive.
Me, Matt(Danny) I found that I did have a strong American accent, found myself improvising on various occasions when others missed their lines and cues, which did benefit me because in a way it makes me look better and can get me the better grade. I had a tendency to drift to the side of the stage rather than stay centred which never really effected my personal performance but could have made it look better for me to b more in the centre of the stage.
I do feel that at many times, not just in this scene, in various scenes there were parts that needed a lot more energy from both the boys and girls. There were too many cue lines missed and people forgetting lines, wasn't so much a problem as there were always people who had flashes of improvisation but did put pressure on others in the scene.
The song (Summer nights) was a success, but again the energy sometimes just wasn't strong enough and sometimes didn't really believe that the other boys and girls wanted to know what happened at the beach. The energy levels sometimes needed lifting, and there were words missed out a few times which sort of took the vibe away from the song.

Scene 3 - Lockers
Joe's singing(Those magic changes) was very impressive and the characterization for the song was great, especially when his voice slightly cracked as it suited his character so it made no difference to the performance. I thought the choreography for the song was up to good standards, for the 2nd and 3rd shows anyway. The boys choreography turned out to be the simplest things such as just swaying and clicking and side stepping, the girls as usual had spot on choreography and I think that because the boys were a bit shabby but good whereas the girls were very perfect and it helped the characterization.

Scene 4- Marty's pyjama party
I think the lighting worked well with this scene and gave it a more girly bedroom feeling to it, although I do feel at times there was a lack of girly energy and it just needed a little extra. Emily had good actions and reactions and good body language and her posture to say 'yes this is my house and do what I say', Polly's(Sandy's) innocence really showed off in this scene with the drinking, smoking and getting the ear piercing. Lindsey's body language and actions were strong, as she is pressuring Sandy into everything otherwise she won't be in the pink ladies.
(Freddy, my love) sang by Emily was really good, she had good projection and facial expressions. This is the first scene where you see just the girls on stage and I think they did a really good job of it.

Scene 5- Garage
In my personal opinion I don't think this scene very well, it was the first time the boys were on the stage without the girls and was supposed to have a proper boyish atmosphere and I just din't feel it did. There was many times that people were having to improvise for missed lines and cues. The change overs(strikes) were too slow in my opinion and it did effect the scene. Sometimes there were issues with the tech with the lighting and sounds which created an awkwardness on stage and gave the lead up to the song a lack of energy. (Greased Lightning) at times this was really good and had good levels of energy, but then at times there was no energy and no one really seemed to know what they were doing. The dancing in the instrumental was ok but no one was ever in time with the others on stage. Strong projection from Max, and I found that I myself had good projection when I had my lines and in the harmony. I thought the song did need a hint of more energy but I do think that when we got into it we did really well and had good levels of energy.
This scene could have been so much better, it was a shame we couldn't get the car we desired and I think it'd have made the scene more interesting. Although, with the two chairs on the stage block it gave us enough space around the stage for movement during the song. When Rizzo enters it seems like no one knows where to put themselves and everyone is sort of cramped up and just feels awkward but I suppose it is rather awkward when Rizzo appears. I think that Kenicke and Rizzo (Max and Lindsey) should have kissed properly rather than faking it, I just think it made it look a bit amateur. The cue for 'sirens' was always a problem, it'd either come too early or too late and ruined the end of the scene.

Scene 6- Cheerleading
In this scene you see Danny and Sandy in conversation and Danny almost begging for her forgiveness and then interrupted by Patty's annoying cheerleading. I felt my characterization was well done but could have been improved slightly to make the begging clearer to the audience. I thought Patty's energy was ok but needed an extra 10% to bring over the sense of how annoying she is and how she's only there to check up on Danny. I think the fact that Sandy is upset with Danny is very clear to the audience because of her tone of voice and facial expressions.

05/03/2013 Performing arts: Musical theatre - Acting, Grease rehearsals.
Today we blocked the first and second scene of act 2, well most of scene 2 anyway.
We showed Rachel the 'Hand Jive' dance scene because she hadn't seen it. Didn't have Chels (ChaCha) so couldn't do the complete dance unfortunately.
We choreographed 'Beauty school drop out' and it works well so we're gonna go ahead with it, with the space we had to use for the 2 hours of rehearsals there sometimes wasn't enough space but managed to adapt.

In Act 2, I feel the audience sees that Danny is kind of drifting slighty from the 'Greasers' and focusing all of his time on Sandy, by getting fit, taking Sandy out rather than fighting with his friends and is staying out of trouble to impress Sandy. We see him become less of a STUD but more of a gentleman... at least that's what it seems until he gets naughty in the 'Drive-in' scene.

Feedback - Theatre for Children & Storytelling

Worthing Academy of Performing Arts Assessment Feedback Forms – 1 of 4
COURSE: BTEC Level 3 Diploma in                        Performing Arts (Musical Theatre) UNITS: Unit 11: Theatre for Children Unit 28 – Storytelling as Performance ASSESSOR: Rachel Maddix
POINTS AVAILABLE FOR COMPLETED UNIT…. Overall Distinction = 90 points     Overall Merit = 80 points      Overall Pass = 70 points

Student Name:	Matthew O’Hagan
Assignment Title:	Telling Tales
Key Dates:	Assignment Completion Date: 20/12/12 Summative Assessment date: 8/1/13 Re Submission Date: 16/1/13

Grading Criteria

Storytelling                                                    Theatre for Children                                 

Pass

P1	P2	P3	P4	P5		P1	P2	P3
/	/	/	/	/		/	/	/

Merit

M1	M2	M3	M4	M5		M1	M2	M3
/	/	/	/	/		nya	/	/

Distinction

D1	D2	D3	D4	D5		D1	D2	D3
nya	/	/	/	/		nya	/	/

Name & Number of Unit	Final Grade	Final Points
Theatre for Children
Storytelling

                                                      

        

Assessors Name / Initials Rachel Maddix RMM

Assessor’s Signature:

Date of Final Feedback 1:1:

Worthing Academy of Performing Arts Assessment Feedback Forms – 2 of 3
COURSE: BTEC Level 3 Diploma in                        Performing Arts (Musical Theatre) UNIT/S: Unit: 11 Theatre for Children                Unit:28 Storytelling as Performer ASSESSOR: Rachel Maddix
Assessor’s Feedback on the Grading Criteria met, Strengths and Areas for Development

Task 1 Workshops and Rehearsal Process – DVD/Observations

You achieved D2 of Theatre for Children by making an enthusiastic and focused contribution to the development process. Ideas and suggestions were imaginative, inventive and showed a firm understanding of the key elements of children’s theatre and the needs of the target audience. You achieved D2/3 of Storytelling as Performance, you were able to manage the stylistic and structural elements fully to produce work that demonstrated a more sophisticated use of the source material. Your work showed a comprehensive understanding of the needs of the target audience, creating a story that is completely suitable for their needs. Rehearsals & Workshops - Strengths You are a lively, energised contributor who has an abundance of ideas to contribute to the group. You are capable of leadership and confident enough to offer ideas in both smaller groups and when working as a whole class. Rehearsals & Workshops – Skills Development You need to continue building confidence in your movement abilities. You have demonstrated real progress and need to build on this making your movement more fluid and versatile.q

Task 2 Performance of Traditional Tales, My Life Story & Performance and Production of Children’s Theatre Piece– DVD/Observation

You achieved D3 of Theatre for Children by demonstrating a proficient and creative use of performance and/or production skills and showing imagination and a feel for the nature of the piece. You achieved D4 of Storytelling as Performance , by demonstrating full control over techniques and performing with flair and ease. You achieved D5 of Storytelling as Performance , by demonstrating a full appreciation of how the style of presentation could be tailored to the needs of the audience, responding to the reactions of audience members in an appropriate and imaginative way. Performance & Production Role/s - Strengths You adapted very confidently to the storytelling approach. You are a comfortable solo performer, capable of bringing the story to life with real character and flair. Your humorous approach worked well in the delivery of your performances with a sensitivity that was appropriate and well timed. Performance & Production Role/s – Skills Development You need to ensure that you experiment and become comfortable with a range of vocal approaches.

Task 3 - Theatre for Children & Storytelling Blog

You achieved P1 of Theatre for Children by providing an unelaborated description of how the source material could meet the needs of a target audience. You achieved M1 of Storytelling as Performance, by researching activities that resulted in a more detailed account of the ways in which the material might be used. Performance & Production Role/s - Strengths You are a strong verbal communicator who contributes analytical ideas regularly during process work. Performance & Production Role/s – Skills Development You could explore the video blogging option,to exploit your analytical capabilities. See blog for written suggestions to expanding your analytical contributions. To improve your grade you need to by show you were able to make imaginative suggestions about how you developed both your storytelling & your Snow Queen performances. What did you do to make your performances work for the audiences that saw them? Why? How did it work?  You mentioned this briefly when you talked about the jokes you could make for the Year 13’s. Just expand on that by discussing the ways you adapted the stories for the class and the small children.

Assessor’s Summary: Strengths –I am really happy with your creative contributions to the class. You were consistent and responsible in all rehearsals, providing ideas and leading groups when required. Your humour worked well in both the storytelling and the Snow Queen performances. A strong practical start – Well done. Development- You need to improve your approach to recording evidence of your work. It is always going to be required and needs to be tackled. We can work together to find solutions but the will to improve on this area of your studies must come from you. You are more than capable of analysis and must evidence that throughout the process in the best way possible to represent accurately your input into the lessons/rehearsals and performance themselves.
Re Submission Comments/Upgrade details (where applicable)
Student’s Comment (must be completed):
I declare that all of the work submitted is my own:
Student’s Name: Matthew O'Hagan	Student’s Signature:	Date: