EVALUATION & REFLECTION – Zombie Prom

PART 2 (at least 1,000 words)

On this page you need to evaluate and reflect on the total production from beginning to end based on YOUR experience and engagement with it. Pay particular attention to your own roles, contributions and responsibilities throughout this whole process and how you have worked with others (collaboration):

• Research, Blocking and Rehearsing the show
• Rehearsing and Refining the show
• Polishing the show (including production elements – costume, props, set, lighting, sound & visuals etc.)
• Actual performance

My Evaluation And Reflection Of Zombie Prom

From Thursday 13th September 2018, we were split into our companies for the Autumn Season Shows. It was from this exact moment that we could begin to experiment with scripts, sing small snippets of songs and begin to stage our biggest dance number in the show with Rob. From this very point onwards, we had 2 months and 15 days (76 exactly) to rehearse and prepare for the performance of our season show. Over the course of these days, we worked from scratch with the script and score, directed by Han and taught by our musical director Claire to develop all the musical numbers and scenes in the show.

Research:

The show “Zombie Prom” is set in 1950’s America. Therefore, the time period and global setting is completely different and contrasts majorly to modern day. This meant that as Musical Theatre performers in a project like this, it was crucial and very important that we take it upon ourselves to perform detailed and effective research which will help us with the process and how it development. If our research was not effective and detailed, this may mean that we do not have much knowledge and confidence when we do individual interpretations. However, if our research was generally very beneficial and a lot could be taken from this then we can perform with detailed knowledge behind us and have a higher understanding of our placements and how we should be reacting. With a show like “Zombie Prom”, our research needs to be very tailored to the show, Era, Style and Global politics. However, research should not only be based on the show as an individual, our characters need to be created as well as the set, staging, props and lighting for the production arts team.  Personally, starting research at an early stage of the production will give every member of  the company, as well as everybody involved the best chance of having a high understanding of the current circumstances early on in the project. Also, this will be a very positive understanding to have, because when Han sets something or makes a request, we will have the best way of knowing why and how this will impact the performance as a whole.

After researching the following elements: Authors/composers, reviews. performance style, time period and global activity, we moved on to developing an individual character of our own. We worked on these in one of the first rehearsals by beginning our Uta Hagen and completing a range of questions based on our characters lifestyle, relationships, circumstances, surroundings and time. This was very beneficial and helpful, we learnt how our character may have been brought up and how their home life may vary from their school life at “Enrico Fermi High”.  Once I had successfully finished my Uta Hagen I could add extra details. For example, I could begin my interpretations of how they may dress, style their hair, react and communicate with others. This was beneficial as it meant that we all had a detailed character and story with this. I think that this was a very helpful part of the process. As every company member did this, we all had the same level of detail and ideas on how to portray our character. However, if we didn’t do this, our levels of detail and understanding of our created teens or given characters would have been very low. From a perspective, I think that this would have changed the bonds created, proxemics on stage and the high levels of characterisation, taking many crucial elements away from the show.

Throughout Zombie Prom, I played 3 different characters. Firstly, I was a member of the “Kid’s Ensemble” and I had created a 17 year old member of the Pep Squad named “Shelley Brooke”. Additionally, I was member of the Motorwise Guys and a secretary for Eddie Flagrante. My three characters had many aspects of themselves with were rather contrasting. Shelley Brooke (kids ensemble member) was very ditsy and overlooked a lot, as well as being seen as a ‘teacher’s pet’. Furthermore, Esme Brown (my secretary character), is very secretive and vein, but also has the ‘dumb blonde’ vibe to her personality. Finally, Veronica May, a member of the Motorwise guys, was extremely outgoing, confident and always looking out for fame. Due to these characters being very different, it was very important that I tailored my performance to adapting to whichever character I was currently playing. Key things for myself to adapt were: style, performance, expression and costume. This is very helpful in many ways, an audience can now see a distinct difference between all of the characters on stage, their placements on stage and the role that they play in the story. For example, if this wasn’t done, the audience may struggle with seeing the differences within scenes, characters and how this all fits together. Personally, I found that at the very start of the research project, watching small clips on YouTube of the performance gave me more insight into the production and how it all fits together. It was also interesting to see how different company’s took the show on and developed, refined and performed the script.

Development:

From the very beginning of the audition process to the final show our time was spent on developing and creating this performance. We worked in our scheduled season time every day from 3-5pm hoping to make the greatest amount of progress possible per time. However, our audition process first began on Monday 10th September. The audition process which helped to place us into companies was only three days. However, once I found out I was a company member of Zombie Prom, the next five were spent on casting us all and for Han to find where we would fit best. We initially split into pairings and performed a scene from Darknet involving a Doctor and Heroine addict. But, there was a scene from Bernarda Alba to choose from involving the servant and Bernada’s youngest child. The scenes were very different and were extracts from the two plays themselves. After the revelation of what the shows were and what they consisted of, it was clear that Zombie Prom was a musically underscored heavy show. Therefore, the singing auditions and parts of the dance auditions linked directly to this. Since Wednesday 19th September, a point where everybody was aware of their role in the show, we officially began the development and rehearsal progress. At this point, everybody had began to feel comfortable around one another, meaning that our confidence and comfort levels around one another grew. This was very beneficial to how we all connected and performed as a group. I am aware that it was very noticeable when the connection and understanding between all of us improved.

The stages of the development and rehearsal process consisted of a read through, learning choreography, cleaning dances, blocking scenes, learning harmonies and the songs as a whole, followed by putting this all together and running sections of the show and the whole performance itself. In my opinion, I think that the development process was very effective and we made constant progress. Our scheduled timings were very helpful, we have the final two hours of our day spent on this. I also liked that we occasionally split up the sections of the show and worked on different things at a time, sometimes starting something and coming back to it later. However, we mostly managed to finish something that we had started in the same week. We mostly spent Mondays and Fridays on the dance sections of the show and Tuesday to Thursday on the remaining elements of the performance. I am very keen on this timetable as we all had an idea of what we were doing every week and Han and Rob could decide what we were going to work on.

The Rehearsal Process:

When the rehearsal process had begun, it was very important that we learnt as many vocals as possible. ‘Zombie Prom’ is a singing heavy show and is mostly underscored throughout. Additionally, in every ensemble song, there is usually 4/5 harmony parts which occur in most of the number. We were split into our parts very early on in the process so that we could have a clear line to follow every time. I was placed as a female tenor and immediately I felt very happy and confident about being placed on this line as I usually lean towards singing an alto line. Additionally, as I have performed since a young age I regularly learn and pick up harmonies so I really enjoyed this part. However, very early on in the process our musical director changed from Paul to Claire as Paul was extremely busy and could not work with us at all times. However, this did not really effect us as we are learning the same content. Recording and going over our harmonies in our own time was very important, meaning that we were aware of our line and could move on at a quick pace, saving time. After a week or two, dance also became a prominent feature in our rehearsals. We spent every Monday and Friday with Rob learning and cleaning set choreography and if Claire was ever absent we would also schedule this for a mid-week activity. It was also important that we went over our choreography in our own time and watched back our performances. I used to do this regularly, it gave me the chance to remember my choreography successfully, to save time by not recapping in the following session.

Beginning with learning harmonies and choreography, refining and blocking small scenes all led to running sections of the performance followed by the show as a whole. This all led up to our show week which included a tech run, two dress runs and four evening performances. During this week I think that everyone’s time management was impeccable and we worked at a moderate and helpful pace. However, I think that in dance rehearsals we spent more time than required on a warmup when we could have been refining and fixing any issues with any choreography or going over any given harmonies. However, it is also very important that we are all warmed up to avoid injuries and problems. Additionally, I think that at times we finished early and it would have been useful to use this time to go over harmonies or rehearse with our allocated dance captains Jessica and Maddie.

Blocking is a very important part of the show. However, as I am member of the “Kids Ensemble” I was not in most of the small scenes as these were performed by the principal characters. But, myself and the other ensemble members were on stage for Delilah’s confession and the scenes that followed. As this was a scene which involved the whole company it was very easy to stage, using our research and context we used our characters personality traits to react to the dialogue between Eddie and Miss Strict. However, we took direction from Han on how to react and which lines are said all together. When blocking dances, the approach is very different, we block so that the dancers are aware of their placements at all times in the routine so that it is clean and to avoid confusion. I felt that this was one of the most important parts of the process as it improves how clean the performance is and provided reassurance for us all on where we need to be at any given moment.

Working with others:

“Zombie prom” was my first show as a member of Conservatoire East. I was very excited to be placed in the musical for my first performance here as I love to both sing, dance and act. Therefore, I was glad to have the opportunity to do all three. This show involves the ensemble a lot. Therefore, when I was placed here I was glad that I would have a lot of chances to be in any routines and the occasional scene. When the rehearsals began, it was very early on in the year and a lot of the year 1’s hadn’t bonded together or established a lot about each other, this was the same for the year 1’s with the year 2’s. I think that this meant that rehearsals started with a barrier up. However, I also think that this process has brought us all very close together and brought our confidence up around one another majorly. I am very thankful for the year 2’s in my company. They were very helpful throughout the process and took the year 1’s ‘under their wing’. It was clear that they wanted the best for us all and helped us along the way. Additionally, in total I think that we established a high level of trust, if anyone was stuck or struggling someone would always be there to help them out and help with the problem. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work with, it was a pleasure!

Problems we faced:

Throughout the process, we faced a couple of reoccurring issues.

• We struggled to arrange lunchtime rehearsals

Due to the differences in timetables, at times it was very hard for us to set a time for a lunchtime rehearsal. Throughout the process, we only had a couple. This was due to the year 2’s having very different times to the year 1’s. This meant that not everybody was able to attend every rehearsal, so they weren’t as effective. But, if we could get this to work it gave us extra time to rehearse before seasons, however, it was unlikely that all company members were going to be there for the whole time.

• Chatting

We are a very big cast of 32. Therefore, throughout the process it was inevitable that there was going to be a lot of chatting. But, this majorly slowed us down and meant that at points our time was wasted. Additionally, it gets very frustrating for everybody when we cannot move on and start something new. However, at times we need communication so that we are aware of what we are doing, can ask for help when stuck and know where we are. If we are talking about the right things at the right time then this would not have been a reoccurring problem.

Show week:

https://emilygordonwsc.wordpress.com/2018/11/30/week-commencing-26th-november/

My blogs from show week all include overviews of the shows, reflections on the days and how I felt. Here is a shortened analysis of the show days:

Wednesday:

I was very pleased with how today ran and how the process of our opening night went. I think that we are all implying the feedback from Han very effectively and working/performing very well as a company. I feel that the show has run very smoothly from the very start to the end and we are all remaining very focused and carrying a very positive mindset. Similarly, I think that as we have just performed our first show which carried very good energy, it is crucial that we do not get too relaxed and let this drop. I am aware that there is always something to improve on and I am happy that these next shows will carry increasing energy and positivity throughout them.

Thursday:

I think that today’s show went well and we all remained on top of everything throughout the duration of the performance. In comparison to last nights show I think that we remained with the same high standard of work. The performance was fluid and very tight.

Friday:

I think that the show went very well on the whole today. We all performed well with such high levels of energy throughout. We are remaining focused throughout the process, improving how the show runs.

The only problem that I faced in tonight’s show was slipping on a newspaper which is used for “Jonny Don’t Go”. It is very important that these are put into the wings properly so that people do not slip when they run on stage for the second time. However, I do not think that this was noticeable as I was mostly in the wing for this. To avoid this happening anymore, we need to take care when putting these into the wings and place them accurately.

 

Reviews of the show:

These reviews were very pleasing to read. It showed us that our show was very enjoyable and people were pleased that they had come to watch. Similarly, we see that people also have the highest hopes for our future shows. I feel very positive that we worked well as a team and provided entertainment for all four nights!

Overall, I was very happy with my contribution to the performance and was very pleased with the final outcome. We worked consistently throughout and developed many skills individually throughout the project as a whole.

My weekly reflectional blogs from the process:

https://emilygordonwsc.wordpress.com/2018/09/15/week-commencing-10th-september/

https://emilygordonwsc.wordpress.com/2018/09/17/week-commencing-17th-september/

https://emilygordonwsc.wordpress.com/2018/09/25/week-commencing-24th-september/

https://emilygordonwsc.wordpress.com/2018/10/04/week-commencing-1st-october/

https://emilygordonwsc.wordpress.com/2018/10/08/week-commencing-8th-october/

https://emilygordonwsc.wordpress.com/2018/10/16/week-commencing-15th-october/

https://emilygordonwsc.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/week-commencing-29th-october/

https://emilygordonwsc.wordpress.com/2018/11/05/week-beginning-5th-november/

https://emilygordonwsc.wordpress.com/2018/11/19/week-commencing-19th-november/

https://emilygordonwsc.wordpress.com/2018/11/30/week-commencing-26th-november/