I didn’t give her any ring. What’s she trying to say? I hope she doesn’t have a crush on me! It’s true she looked at me a lot, in fact, she looked at me so much that she seemed distracted, and couldn’t really finish her sentences very well. Oh, I really think she loves me! She sent this rude messenger to tell me to come back, instead of coming herself, which would be indiscreet. She doesn’t want Orsino’s ring! Orsino never sent her a ring. I’m the man she wants. If that’s true, which it is, she might as well be in love with a dream, the poor lady. Now I understand why it’s bad to wear disguises. Disguises help the devil do his work. It’s so easy for a good-looking but deceitful man to make women fall in love with him. It’s not our fault—we women are weak. We can’t help what we’re made of. Ah, how will this all turn out? My lord loves her, and. poor me, I love him just as much. And she’s deluded enough to be in love with me. What can possibly fix this situation? I’m pretending to be a man, so my love for the Duke is hopeless. And since I’m a woman—too bad I’m a woman—Olivia’s love for me is hopeless as well! Oh, only time can sort out this mess. I can’t figure it out by myself!
-Her dad did write letters but he mum never
showed her them ‘Actually I did write’
-She is very dramatic ‘so I’m half Iraqi, shit
man’
-She thinks she is ugly ‘I’m not’
-She speaks to herself a lot ‘Thinking all these
questions’
-She is half Iraqi
-Her dad lives in Iraq
-Her Dad is called Ibrahim
-She likes going to the pub
-She is interested in boys
-She doesn’t do her homework
-She likes to doodle
-Her dad works at the national museum of Iraq
-She has a sister called Raya
-Her dad has another family
-She regrets what she has done
-She uses Wikipedia
-Raya was kidnapped
-She left home
-She went to Iraq
Opinion:
-She thinks her dad is not good looking ‘Ugly’
-She is always talking
-She hates her dad for leaving her
-She is very emotional – she drops the vase
-Surprised she got her A Levels
-She thinks she did the right thing about Raya
-She wants to forget about what happened
-She did not make things better for the people of
Iraq
Who am I?
I am Kelly, I am sixteen years old and I live with my mum.
My dad left me before I was born and he returned back to his country Iraq. I
have a half-sister called Raya and my dad’s wife is called Faiza. I like going
to the pub and chatting with my friends. My dad came back to England to see me
and gave me a stupid vase. I didn’t realise the importance of the vase, it was
the only thing to save my sisters life. I broke the vase. I like boys and
having a laugh, I absolutely hate doing my homework but I managed to pass my A
Levels. I went to Iraq and found out about the kidnapping. I tried to do what I
thought was best but that wasn’t good enough for my dad. I now just want to
move on with my life. Apparently children are still be kidnapped and I made it worse,
I am fed up of this drama. I want to forget what has happened and feel normal
again. ‘Just as it should be.’
What is the present situation?
My monologue is the first lines said in the play. She is
Just about to meet her dad and is nervously waiting in her bedroom. It is a Saturday
afternoon and she is waiting for her dad to arrive and is recalling the events
that have lead up to this point. The purpose of this monologue is to inform the
audience and also realise herself what has happened and that she is going to
meet her dad to day. She is quite bored but also anxious as well as cautious
but her main purpose is to inform and to realise what is about to happen.
Where am I?
She is currently in her house which is quite a small house
with a kitchen, dining room, living room, two bathrooms and two bedrooms. She
is in her bedroom which is a small room with a desk, single bed, dressing table
and built in wardrobes. She is currently sitting in her room waiting and
preparing herself to meet her dad for the first time. It is a Saturday afternoon
in late October during school time. It is raining and dull weather. The year is
about 2006- 2008 so in the modern times.
Costume
I think due to this characters age and the weather she will
wear jeans and probably a jumper but will be looking quite nice and tidy
because she wants to make a good impression to her dad.
Given Circumstances
Before this scene Kelly has been out with her friends at the
pub, she has just walked in gone past her dads coat and is preparing herself in
her bedroom because she thought he was coming tomorrow. She wanted to get out
the house which is why she went to the pub. Her dad is waiting for her but she
is pro longing their meeting because she is feeling slightly anxious and
nervous.
What skills have you developed so far on the BTEC?
Rehearsal skills – understanding and analysing text – researching historical, political background to the text – themes – given circumstances.
Evaluation – knowing what is needed for a good evaluation –learning how to be critical of myself and others – using quotes – listening to actors, voice coaches – knowing next steps to improve.
Objectives – tactics – allowing breath to lead not voice –gives purpose – live in the scene – helps character – shows emotion.
Using body – body and voice as one – allowing self to be ugly and beautiful – experience pain and pleasure – creative instincts take over – working with breath, posture – allow things to happen.
Textual analysis – character building – detailed fact and opinion.
Ensemble – understanding energy on stage – always switched on – good transitions.
Devising a piece in response to a stimulus – sight specific.
Children’s Theatre – responding to a specific audience.
Voice – breath – articulation – energy – voice and body
Multimedia – computers – blog – video
Theatrical configuration – set, 3 sided stage, special awareness, props.
Mask – clocking, counter- work (2 emotions)
Improvisation
Different society’s and cultures – Bangladesh – skinhead
Don’t repeat – feel a line – have reason – breath, reaction – you are NOT the most important person
Finding your casting range.
Directing – blackout – each other’s monologues.
EVERY SCENE IS A CHASE SCENE – keep space, allow scene to move on stage (the witness)
Skills gained elsewhere?
Physical skills – Dance class – Ballet (technique) , tap, modern, contemporary – stretch and conditioning (balance and flexibility)
Voice – Singing classes – work on breath control.
Read – plays and theatre books
Went to see curious incident- extra course – got to go on the stage – meet the actors – find out their devising process.
History – Note taking in lessons and Research.
English – Poetry – analysing text deeper meaning.
Shakespeare- read Romeo and Juliet, a midsummer’s night dream, Macbeth.
Current Skills and Areas to improve…
Voice 7/10 – good at Articulation and projection – need to improve on Accents – I want to learn accents by watching YouTube videos and practising the pronunciation of words. I also wanted to become more confident and singing so I have taken up singing classes to work on my breath control.
Furthermore I would like to improve connecting my Body and voice as one because sometimes my movements don't connect with the way my body is moving so to do this I need to allow my instincts to take over and I can also practice using the slimy frog exercise.
Movement and Physical skills 7/10 – I think I am quite good in general at movement and dance however I would like to improve my flexibility which is why I have taken up stretch and conditioning classes. I also wanted to improve my balance and technique therefore I have taken up ballet classes.
Evaluation 8/10 – I believe I have improved greatly in evaluating so I need to carry on using quotes and also make sure I am writing in the correct and most appropriate style of writing. To improve I need to go see more plays so that I can have the chance to evaluate them and I need to remember to justify my views and opinions.
Rehearsal skills 7/10- I think I am good at turning up when I am needed and I am OK at analysing text however I still do find it difficult to find the correct objectives. I need to become more confident and creative when thinking up objectives for my peace and I also need to use the technique we have learnt when using objectives. This is so that my instincts will take over when I am performing and my performance will no longer look fake because it will be all natural instincts so therefore it will be truthful and I wont be pretending. To be able to do this I need to know the given circumstances and what the character is feeling to allow this to occur.
Styles of acting 6/10 – I am not great at understanding Shakespeare so I would like to become more familiar with the texts and plays however I do think I am good at emotional and comedic work. Hopefully my Shakespeare will be improved this term because I am becoming more familiar with objectives which should help my performance.
Confidence in text and Characterisation 7/10 – I feel as though I am good at analysing text and researching to develop my character however I do feel I could go into a little more detail in my research. I can do this by using the approaching your script guide, reading the play and if I can by finding a film of the play.
Ensemble 6/10 - I think the blackout project really helped us work as an ensemble because we had to have quick and clean transitions and we had to keep our energy up. To improve this I need to always be focused and have a purpose on stage so that the transitions don't just drop they should fade into the next scene. To keep at the same energy I need to become more aware of the other actors energy level on stage and always be focused and ready to go.
Casting notes:
Casting - How you look – adaptable for what you are going for – dye hair – grow beard – make up – body language – way to dress – ability to play a character.
Cast ability – Talent – accents – articulation – spectrum – vocal ability – varied voice – high status, low status characters – physicality, body – posture – how you hold yourself.
My Character Range
Dancer
Victim
Posh Character
15 -19
Geek
Vulnerable
Bratty Child
Maid – below the stairs
Patient – scared – creepy
Student
High and low status
However I believe I cannot play:
A tough character – I can improve this by my body language, posture and voice placement.
Mime artist – work on flexibility and physical theatre.
Aggressive character – Fighter not just high status.
My Justification for choosing this play for my monologue: I have chosen this play by Mike Bartlett because I am familiar to his work for example his play thirteen therefore I understand the abstract way in which his plays are written and I really like the quick scene changes from one period of time to maybe two years later. Also the character is a similar age to me and having read the whole play I find the whole concept of the play very interesting and I would like to do more research into the problems in Iraq. I believe this monologue is a good vehicle to show my audience because lots of the lines are said really quickly which will show my good pronunciation. Also there are lots of small changes in emption but she brushes them off as though she is not bothered which I think I will be good at doing.
ONE - Artefacts by Mike Bartlett - Kelly
I think this monologue will be good for me because I have seen the play 13 performed which is also by Mike Bartlett so I understand the way in which he writes and how his work is performed. Also the character Kelly is quite similar to characters I have played in the past such as in the play DNA because she has a lot to say and is very express and slightly comedic. Furthermore after reading the play I am quite interested in the things happening in Israel and I would be happy to research further into the events that have taken place if I choose to do this monologue.
TWO - Perve by Stacey Gregg - Layla
Even though this character is slightly older than from artefacts at 18 years old, however I believe this piece is a lot darker and I could really explore the topic of the monologue. She only appears once in this play and that is for her monologue. I believe the issues portrayed through this play is very interesting and it is very relate able for the society we live in.
THREE - Have I none by Edward bond - Sara OR Love and Money - Dennis Kelly
I found it difficult to decide between these two monologues Sara is a lot older and her monologue is very short but it is also a monologue that is very different to what I have done before. I would prefer to do Love and Money but unfortunately I was unable to access the play to read and I have done a piece by Dennis Kelly before.
What is an audition?
An audition is a meeting or test in which you showcase your skills and talent in order to be cast as a particular role. An audition could involve you performing a monologue, or working with others in a group to see if you are able to work effectively in a team. An audition is improvised in the knowledge of the character meaning it should be slightly different every time. There are many different things you could audition for, for example, TV, film, theatre or radio. depending on the audition, the things you have to do may be slightly different. For all auditions you should remember not to think you have to show every emotion or over act, you need to live through the character in their given circumstances. For auditions you should come prepared, you should have done a character breakdown, research the character so you can talk about him or her and the play. It also may be a good idea to wear clothes in which you think the character might wear so you can feel more like the character.
Radio - for a radio audition you would probably present a show reel showing you doing lots of different scenes such as a news report or advert, this also may be needed for a film audition.
Theatre - for an audition for a play you need to be able to use your body and project your voice, you should also be using your instincts in the performance, be able to repeat the performance several times and you have the chance to build up to a scene.
Film - film is a lot about working with the face to get your feelings across, in an audition you should ask what the shot size is because if its only a close up on your face that's all you have to show your emotion. In film you also have the ability to use a more natural voice such as a whisper and a mumble. Furthermore the filming tends not to be sequential therefore you should know most of the film so you know where your character is coming from in the scene. This is why it is very important to warm up and get into character so that you understand the characters given circumstances and you know what you are doing so that you can own the whole picture.
Stepdaughter
My first impressions of stepdaughter was that the girl was trying to get out what she is feeling so she is letting out a rant. There are also lots of dashes and fullstops showing us she has loads of ideas and wants to keep talking. The stepdaughter is a character a character is playing in the play which is confusing because it is a play inside a play. In the text a lot of question marks are used which suggests the character is trying to get people on her side and wants people to support what she is saying. In addition lots of stage directions have been added and they are very precise and detailed, this shows us the writer has a vision in how he wants the play to look and if in an audition you should ask the director if you should use the stage directions.
Spring Awakening
The boys monologues has a lot less stage directions in it and it seems as though the character is feeling guilty so is talking to there conscience. The repetition of the line 'I wasn't bad' suggests the character is trying to reassure himself and the writing is quite poetic and romantic which may relate to the personality of the character.
Why is working out your physical objectives so important?
Having physical objectives are really important because it makes sure you always have an action and a purpose of being on stage. Having an objective means that you can experiment with it and play with it in as many different ways as possible to show the character living in the given circumstances. having an objective allows you to connect your body and voice as one and it gives motivation for the line to be said. It gives lines and actions there true meanings so you are not just reciting a line you are actually putting feelings into it. Having an objective also gives you the chance to use your instincts so that you can develop your belly breathing and know when the objective has been achieved and a new one is required. Having an objective is important otherwise you character is no longer living on stage and the audience have nothing to question about what the character is doing.
