punch drunk evaluation

How, in the group rehearsal and performance, did you explore the process of bringing to life a classic text using contemporary techniques?

In the group rehearsal, at first bringing this classical text to life with contemporary techniques was quite difficult as we were too used to that piece of theatre being performed in the classical context. So, to overcome this, we pulled on our strengths to create the piece. For example, when it comes to the very beginning of the process, we started off by taking the text and dialogue of the piece and putting it over contemporary techniques. So, this is why we introduced the idea of using chair duets, as what we did was look at the text and think how we could portray what it was saying and the emotions of the characters but through our movements and contact with each other. By doing this it really helped us to bring this classical text to life in a contemporary style.

 

What skills have you synthesized into this final performance process? How did you decide if these were appropriate skills and techniques to implement or not; likewise, which were left out of the process and why?

In my group’s final performance, we included a variety of skills to put together a visually effective piece for the audience.

One of the skills that we included was one from frantic assembly. This was chair duets. We decided to use physical theatre and chair duets throughout our performance as it stood as a visually way that we could show our characters emotions and relationships. Along with this, it allowed our piece to remain interesting to the audience, as we felt if we just used dialogue to say everything this would make the piece feel very repetitive to the audience, so by doing it through physical theatre and chair duets it kept it interesting and engaging for the audience.

Other skills that we used that contrasted with the physical theatre that we included were naturalist duologues. We added these as we felt this would be an effective way to portray arguments or serious moments. To create these, we used a variety of acting tools, but mainly ones from Stanislavski. One of the tools that we used was emotion memory in that we made sure that the people partaking in the duologue pulled on a memory to help them effectively be able to put themselves into the emotion that their character would be feeling at the time. Along with this we use given circumstances, where we made sure that the location was clear that we would be in along with getting the people playing the characters to research what life is like for their specific character or people that live a similar lifestyle.

When it came to our performance, we had lots of ideas but some of them could not be used unfortunately, and they did not fit into the piece how we intended. For example, we tried to use the over-under-through from frantic, however when adding dialogue and putting it into play it did not flow as intended and did not allow the meaning and message we wanted to be portrayed and clear to the audience.

 

Reflecting on the rehearsal process, what went well?

 When it comes to the rehearsal process of my group’s punch-drunk piece, I felt that a lot went well when it came to how we all worked together to put this piece together. When it came to each of the rehearsals that we partook in, we made sure that we started it off by going over what we already had done and addressing what needed to be worked on or created. For this we would then split off into smaller groups so that we could get more done and use our time more effectively. In my group, from the start we all worked together well and were able to bounce off each other when it came to focus and ideas. When it came to the creation of original dance or dialogue for our piece, I was very impressed with how well we were able to use each other’s strengths to make sure that what we were creating would be as effective and inclusive as possible.

During the rehearsal process, we all were involved evenly when it came to coming up with ideas, planning or creating, and because of this we were able to make sure that we used our limited time effectively.

 

Reflecting on the performance, what went well?  

When it comes to the performance itself, a lot of things went a lot better than I imagined that they would. For example, when it came to my group’s performance, we all were able to stay in focus and adapt to any errors that were made during the performance. By us being able to do this effectively, it helped make sure that the piece flowed. Personally, I was very impressed with the quality of work that me and my group put together and performed. Although some of our pieces were improved on the night dialogue wise, I felt that we all adapted and responded naturally without pauses, which really helped the piece stay engaging. When it comes to my own personal performance in the piece, I was impressed by the fact that I was able to stay focused and not break character even if things did not go as rehearsed beforehand. My overall focus and character during the performance was strong though out, however there was one moment where I lost a little focus but managed to regain this quickly.

Overall, I believe that Our performance went well, and I am very happy with our result.

 

If you could rehearse and perform the piece again, what would you change?

If I could rehearse and perform this piece again, there are a couple things that I would adapt and change to make the performance the best it could be.

When it comes to the rehearsals, the things that I would change would be making sure that we had a confirmed and consistent rehearsal schedule. I would do this as it would allow me and my group to know when we would be doing rehearsals and allow us to know more clearly who would be able to make which ones with some time notice. Along with this, a personal this that I would change would be my behavior towards the rehearsals. This is as although I contributed a lot and stayed focused during the rehearsals there were times where I lost focus, so if I did this again, I would make sure to maintain this focus more effectively.

 

What did you learn from this performance/process and how will this inform your future development as an actor?

When it came to the performance and process of this piece, I learnt a lot when it comes to working and creating as a team and how to perform in the style of punch-drunk. For this process, I learnt that when you work as a team to create a piece you need to consider everyone’s strengths and work with them so that your time can be used effectively, and the overall performance can be as immersive as possible. Along with this, I learnt a lot about punch-drunk and what it is like to create and perform a piece in that style. Unlike a lot of theatre, in punch-drunk you must make sure you consider that the piece feels immersive and remember that your audience can be viewing you from any angle. Along with this, your focus and adapting skills are a lot more important, as things could be moved by audience members, or they could be in your way.

When it comes to my future development as an actor, this performance and process will really inform the way that I work on pieces of theatre from and acting and creating point of view. For example, this piece has really helped my focus and my improv skills. Along with this, I will be taking tools from Stanislavski, emotion memory + given circumstances, to help me develop my future acting in future performances. Both tools are very effective and simple to put into practice and I feel that if I use these it will really help me develop as an actor in the future.