DURRINGTON HIGH SCHOOL REHEARSALS (GC1, GC2 & GC3)

GC1- For a successful ensemble in this circumstance, musical and verbal skills are all needed at equal importance, with physical just below. Musically, we need to be able to show our skills with professionalism and flair, to a high standard. This will enhance showing our audience that we can work and create as  an efficient ensemble. Our verbal skills can be used in the workshop section of our performance, to be able to communicate well with the students at Durrington High School, teaching them good ensemble skills and about the themes and plot of the Show, We Will Rock You. Our physical skills are important as we need to show our characters so that the audience can understand our relationships, for example Brit and Meat, need to have intimate postures and movements to show they are together. However because we are not performing any dance, our physical skills are not the most vital.


Tuesday's rehearsal videos:

GC2 & GC3-

We began by discussing the way we wanted the performance and workshop at Durrington to go, As a group we talked about the format of the performance.  We decided to use duets from the three main partnerships in the show, Scaramouche and Galileo,  Meat and Brit and Killer Queen, however Khashoggi (Jordy and Sam) are going to be introducing the piece, and therefore are not singing. From this we chose I want It All, Another One Bites The Dust and Under Pressure. We also chose two songs that utilise our ensemble skills as a company, We Are The Champions and Radio Ga Ga. These are also the songs that we are most prepared with, some with choreography and parts divided and readily rehearsed. I suggested splitting each duet by cast, having one cast perform one half of the song, and the other performing the next part. This allows for a more ensemble feel, and for each actor to be able to show their interpretation of their characters. For example Jaydee and I, both playing Brit, have a very contrasting take on the role, I used Meat to show her softer and more sensual side, whereas Jaydee displays her as a harsh and rough tomboy, showing off her high status at The Heartbreak Hotel.

We then split off into groups, one for the songs and one for the workshop section. Working on the song choices made, I lead the Radio GaGa discussion, because Talia and I had already choreographed for this song, and we planned to use it for the workshop. We also went through each song deciding when to switch casts and when to cut them. Cutting the songs means for a shorter snippet of each song, keeping the younger audience engaged. In terms of organisation, in the group we had at least one person from each pairing, therefore we could decide who would be singing what fairly and with good knowledge of the songs in an effective and disciplined manner. 

As seen in the videos, Talia, Olivia and myself worked on splitting and working on I Want It All, with our designated parts. We found that because of our younger audience and possible disinterest, adding choreography was vital. Talia and I discussed successfully a simple but effective routine that involves our physical skills, that also allow for audience interaction, using direct address. Splitting off in this way allows for us all to focus hard on each aspect of our own characters and performances, working collaboratively to develop each others performances. For example I helped Jaydee in showing character through her voice when singing, and she encouraged my confidence when directly singing to audience members. 

When returning to the other group, we discussed what we had so far, and performed what we had decided on. This first run through was really helpful in gaining a better understanding of what we wanted to teach in the workshop to follow, and allowed us to contribute ideas as an ensemble. 

Thursday (day of performance) rehearsal videos:



GC2 & GC3- As this was the day of the performance, we felt it was important to refine and perfect our movement and formations throughout the whole piece, to demonstrate our skills with flair and creativity. Talia and I taught the rest of the cast the rest of the Radio GaGa choreography. This involved using my communication and leadership skills in a professional manner, as it was important that everyone felt confident on the movement as this type of unison fits with the narrative of the song, the meaning behind it and also shows our professionalism when performing. 

This time was mainly dedicated to running the performance as a whole, and as for the weaker parts, out of lesson we decided to develop these. Also, we looked heavily at the format and logistics of the workshop. We decided who was saying what and our groupings efficiently. In exercises in lessons, we normally work without pairings in relation to the narrative of the show, however for this workshop we felt it would be contrasting and more interesting for the students if we worked with people we would not normally work with, also showing them to work with anyone and everyone, which is a vital aspect of a successful ensemble. 

The most beneficial part of this rehearsal for me was being able to sing through the whole piece with the backing we will be performing with. Beforehand we had used the original soundtrack as it was much simpler for rehearsals, however when being accompanied live, it allows for easier cuts, and for a more fluid medley feel to the piece as a whole. This gave me a lot of confidence for the performance, as my character and audience reaction had improved massively since working on it with Jaydee. However, this is going to be very different to the students as i do not know them, and they may not be as likely to join in and clap etc. Before leaving for the school, Talia and i took time to rehearse our part of the song, recapping the physical and musical aspects to ensure our performance was well rehearsed and showed us working as a successful ensemble.