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Reference List

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Ballet Exercises - Muscle and Strength. 2017. Ballet Exercises - Muscle and Strength. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.balletdancersguide.com/ballet-exercises-muscle-and-strength.html. [Last Accessed 24 October 2017].

Bigelow Lisa. Why Do Your Thighs Burn When You Are Working Out & Walking? N/A. [ONLINE] Available At:https://healthyliving.azcentral.com/thighs-burn-working-out-walking-5314.html. [Last Accessed 20 December 2017].

BRANTLEY BEN. 2011. A Love Affair With Music, Maybe With Each Other. The New York Times. [ONLINE] Available At:https://mobile.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/theater/reviews/once-the-musical-at-new-york-theater-workshop-review.html?referer=https://www.google.co.uk/. [Last Accessed On: 18th December 2017].

Cricoid Cartilage Anatomy, Function & Location | Body Maps. 2017. Cricoid Cartilage Anatomy, Function & Location | Body Maps. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/cricoid-cartilage. [Last Accessed 24 October 2017].

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Harvard Publishing. 4 ways to turn good posture into less back pain - Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/4-ways-to-turn-good-posture-into-less-back-pain. [Last Accessed: 5th October 2017]

Kayes, G., 2004. Singing and the Actor. 2nd ed. N/A: A & C Black. [Last Accessed 23 October 2017]

Moeller Andrew. Is Poor Posture Causing Your Back Pain? 2016 [ONLINE] Available At:https://www.spine-health.com/blog/poor-posture-causing-your-back-pain.

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Picture from: What To Do With Sway Back Knees…?. 2017. What To Do With Sway Back Knees…?. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.frontsplitsfast.com/whatto-do-with-sway-back-knees. [Last Accessed 17 October 2017].

Singing Lessons Exeter. 2017. Cricoid Tilt | Singing Lessons Exeter. [ONLINE] Available at: https://mattpocockmusic.wordpress.com/category/cricoid-tilt/. [Last Accessed 24 October 2017].

Slouch Meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary. 2017. slouch Meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary. [ONLINE] Available at: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/slouch. [Last Accessed 27 October 2017]

The Guardian. 2017. Physiotherapy doesn’t work for back pain, study says | Society | The Guardian. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/society/2004/sep/24/health.medicineandhealth. [Last Accessed 27 October 2017].

Vocal performance. BBC Bitesize. N/A [ONLINE] Available At: https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zcvdwmn/revision/2 [Last Accessed 20 December 2017].

Waknell Phil. The Power Of The Pause. [ONLINE] Available At:https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/philpresents.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/the-power-of-the-pause/amp/ [Last Accessed 21 December 2017].

Weir Jen. What Muscles Do Lunges Work Out? N/A. The Nest [ONLINE] Available At: https://woman.thenest.com/muscles-lunges-work-out-1303.html. [ Last Accessed 19 December 2017].

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Show Day and Evaluation

During our time in the theatre, we spent the afternoon checking mics and running through the production.

Problem Solving in The Run

In previous rehearsals at St George’s Hall the full set wasn’t created on stage. However today there was a backing screen and extra side flaps on the up stage doors meaning the space of the stage had been reduced.

This meant in Shine Like The Sun ensemble routine, some choreography for the first years was changed and entrances for third years were swapped around. At first this confused first years and took some time to fix it. The way this issue was solved was by coming on stage a little earlier so that they could run further down stage so there was more space for the whole first years cast to all fit.

Our solution as 3rd years was to spilt and some finish the routine and exist up stage right while the others exist down stage right, then walk around to the up stage door ready for the next combination.

This actually made it easier for us as third years as we all got of in time and didn’t have to bunch up at the exist to wait for other people to leave the stage area. It also meant we could prepare in the up stage right wing, as there was more space to do so, leading to a clean and slick entrance back on stage.

Audience Feedback

After the show, audience feedback was positive and all seemed to enjoy the performance.

As well as positive feedback there was also some improvement people mentioned.

Firstly was the pace of the show. Audience members replied with lines were missed as they were spoken to fast and they could not work out what was being said. Within the interval we discovered that we knocked 10 minutes of the first half running time, due to everything being rushed. This was also a comment from watching members. They felt as if scenes were rushed and needed to slow down.

The quick pace of the scenes and lines then meant the comedic parts were missed as the audience weren’t given a chance to process what had been to said to them to laugh at it. “Comic timing is the use of rhythm, tempo, and pausing to enhance comedy and humour. The pacing of the delivery of a joke can have a strong impact on its comedic effect, even altering its meaning” (Wikipedia). If we had slowed down the pace, the audiences reaction would of been at a higher standard. “Timing is essential to comedy, and comedians emphasize punch lines with a pause” (The Cut, 2017).

Instead of slowing the pace down in the second half, as a cast member it felt quicker than normal. As after Act 2 scene 3 is an ensemble dance routine and song, then a reasonably long gap between 20-30 minutes to the finalé. However on the performance the gap was only about 15-20 minutes, conveying the scenes were fast paced and rushed.

A way to problem solve this speed issue would be to breath and think about how you would have an normal conversation to someone. Adding pauses will help to slow down the scene and make it readable. “A pause on stage is where the characters are not speaking, but they are perhaps doing something, and certainly thinking, and that adds to the drama. A pause adds importance to what precedes it and to what follows it” (World Press, 2011).

A way to correct the comedic side would be to leave a pause for the audience to understand and respond to the words being said on stage. “Comic timing is essential, but ineffable and ever-changing from one audience to another” (The Cut, 2017). As a performer at first this silence on stage feels awkward and strange. however, the scene within our production The scene the audience reacted to the most was, when Margret swigs her drink and stumbles off stage, while the rest of the cast are still. This comedic timing was success as the audience had time to think and understand what she was conveying in the scene.

Another way for the audience to understand what was happening on stage, would be the use of our diction and articulation. “The formation of clear and distinct sounds in speech. The articulation of vowels and consonants”(Oxford Dictionary). Without using diction and articulation the words blend into one and it’s hard to process the words. “For the theatre, you must a powerful voice and clear diction……To tell the story of the script, actors have to be heard and understood.” (Acting Is, 2011). By having clear diction and articulation would of also helped with the comedic side of the show as the audience would know what is being said.

Personal Feedback

Feedback I received from family and friends was how well I used my facial expressions to convey my characters feelings with each scene and dance routine. At the beginning of the term I was told in my tutor feedback that I needed to learn to use my face to express emotion. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve really tried to input this feedback into my rehearsals. One way I worked on this was to sit in front of my mirror and relaying my lines and trying to use my face to connect with the lines. At first this was challenging as it pushed me out of my comfort zone and I also realised that when I thought I was conveying facial expressions they were not as big as I first thought they were. Now I’ve focused on this challenge I feel comfortable using my face within scenes and dance combinations. It also conveys I can perform to a higher level, opening more opportunities to gain work within the industry.

Another challenge I was presented within this term was my diction and having a lazy tongue. I would say my diction and articulation of words has improved, however I believe I still have a lot of work to do over the holidays to really grasp were my tongue should sit within my mouth. Exercises I’ve been given is to repeat T’s, D’s, M’s and TH’s while looking in the mirror to analyse what my tongue is doing on each vowel. This is a main improvement as if Casting Directors can not understand what I’m saying within auditions, I’ll be limited to work. “If you mumble, run your words together, or are hard to understand you are going to make it difficult for a director to cast you. To tell the story of the script, actors have” (Acting Is, 2011).

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Harmonies and Backing Vocals As we’ve got 2 days until Show day, I took it into consideration and went back over all the harmonies and ensemble vocals for the show. Mainly to make sure I knew each one correctly so that I can help support the leading roles. But also to be 100% sure that I was in the right key and sounding right. For this production I am a soprano and in the majority of the songs they reach right at the top of my range. Especially in ‘Change It’ on ‘Stand Up Grab a Hold’. At first I found these notes hard to reach, however now I’ve improved my breathing technique. By singing lying flat to see if the ribs are felt in the floor, meaning the lungs expand allowing them to grow to their fullest capacity, this also helps us to focus in your diaphragmatic support and anchoring the body. When you breath in the diagram relaxes, then when breathing out it contracts pushing the air up the trachea, to the vocal folds. ‘The vocal cords are located at the top of your trachea. They are housed in your larynx, which is the bump in the front of your neck that goes up and down when you swallow’ (John Henny).

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Donald Trump Vs Mr Hart Reflecting Back on Innovation Even though we decided to leave the references to Donald Trump out of our script. During rehearsals of Act 2, there was a pinnacle moment where, Donald Trumps name would fit in with Judy’s lines. “Hypocritical, bigot”. Which then Judy whispers toward the audience, “Donald Trump”. When we first rehearsed this it fitted and seemed to flow with the script in that scene. However over the last week when running the whole production this section stuck out as in reality is didn’t work in a whole. The main for this was because: 1) We’ve not worked on it enough to make it fit. “You’re not fully prepared until you’ve spent time doing what you actually will be doing during the speech: standing on your feet and talking through the material, out loud” (Voice and Speech). 2) There are no other references to Donald Trump within our production. I believe if we’d focused on adding the references from the beginning, we would of made them fit and made sense within the script.

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Working on My Diction and Articulation During our showcase module, an improvement for me was to work on my diction and articulation of words. Working this on as an overall, I’ve improved and I have implemented these corrections into 9 to 5. Within my script I’ve been focusing on the words that contain, T’s, D’s and TH’s. Mainly concentrating on them if they are placed at the end of a word. By hearing the T or D at the end of a sentence, completes it and creates a professional finish, instead of a lazy finish. Not only have I worked on the words within the script but also implemented my corrections into the song lyrics. This is especially for our opening number: 9 to 5. This song was directed to us as, sharp, punchy and strong. By using my diction and articulation correctly helps me to deliver these lines so the audience can understand what is being said. “In performance vocal diction is important so that the audience can clearly understand the words of the singer. It is more difficult to sing clearly than to speak clearly. Every consonant and vowel must be crystal clear to the audience” (BBC). By correcting my diction and articulation now before graduation time, means I can work on it even more over the next few months, to make sure I can get the best chance at employment within the professional industry.

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Relating Metafit to Show Work - 9 to 5

In a couple of our dance combinations within 9 to 5, there are a few low lunges that are either held or sustained. At the beginning of rehearsals in September, I found these moves challenging to hold or sustain as:

1) My core wasn’t strong enough to hold me in the correct posture. So this affected my lower back while holding this position. “In addition, the stress from poor posture can lead to back pain by causing problems with your muscles, discs, and joints” (Spine Health, 2016).

2) My legs had a sburning sensation while performing these moves as they weren’t strong enough and also because they weren’t use to this movement. “Activities from brisk walking that leaves you out of breath to strenuous squats, lunges and curls produce lactic acid in the muscles, causing a burning sensation” (Healthy Living).

Within our morning fitness class of Metafit, we perform travelling lunges, jumping lunges and walking squats. All of these exercises have helped me to build up muscles within my legs and core. “Lunges make an effective warm-up exercise because they work large muscle groups, improve hip mobility and elevate heart rate. This exercise can be utilized to work out your hips, butt and several other muscles (The Nest).

Over the last 8 weeks I’ve noticed an improvement within my posture. At first when I stood in the correct way, my lower back ached and I thought something was wrong. However with consistency of performing the exercises my lower back now doesn’t ache when exercising.

“The idea is to keep your body in perfect alignment, maintaining the spine's natural curvature, with your neck straight and shoulders parallel with the hips.

Keep your shoulders back and relaxed

Pull in your abdomen

Keep your feet about hip distance apart

Balance your weight evenly on both feet

Try not to tilt your head forward, backwards or sideways

Keep your legs straight, but knees relaxed” (NHS Choices).

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Change It - Changed Choreography Reflecting back in the ending of change it, as a cast the choreography looked unclean, as some members couldn’t perform the choreograph, due to it being fast foot work. To make this section clean and performable our choreographer and director, Lucy decided to combine motifs from Shine Like The Sun routine to the ending to of Change It. As a cast we are familiar with this dance combination so it was effortless to transfer it over to a different song within the show. To fit this routine to the music, we performed the dance moves to the lyrics and the beat of the music. This made it easier to know what move happened next within the routine. It also made it less complicated for the cast members who are less confident with the dance and the counts.

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Innovative Ideas

Reflecting back on our innovative ideas for 9 to 5, as a cast we discussed what elements of innovation we’ve used within our production.

Our main innovation is our stage setting, by creating two stages, with one of them being within the audience. This is different from previous performances as normally we set the whole production in the main stage, raised above the audiences eye level.

We can sort of relate our innovative idea of using two stages to the musical, ‘Once’. However, Once doesn’t use two stages but it does incorporate a working bar on stage. “Once,” designed by the inventive Bob Crowley, turns its stage into a meticulously authentic-looking pub” (The New York Time, 2011). These two ideas are innovative as most musical productions are set on one stage with sets that change. Whereas in these shows the setting stays the same. Especially in our production of 9 to 5.

At the time being we’ve eliminated the idea of freeze frames, biased on Donald Trump and the relations between 1975 and 2017.

However as the show is finished and at the cleaning stage, with 2 weeks to go until performance day, there is still time to assess and research information to add in, as snapshots into particular scenes, which could enhance the story line of 9 to 5.

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Spacing and Choreography Now we’ve finished the show, during our rehearsal period we’ve got the opportunity to reflect back on the dance routines and spacing. Now the first choreography was set in our body’s for , Shine Like The Sun, our Director and Choreographer, Lucy Gill decided to make the moves more intricate and detailed, creating a sense of relief, as the songs story is happy to have revenge on Mr Hart. To make the choreography more intricate, Lucy added detailed footwork and turns into the combination. Meaning the timing of the routine has changed to make the extra details work. This then means has an ensemble we have to work together to stay in time with one another but also the music. During lunch or any breaks throughout the day, as a cast we rehearse any routines or songs that need work on or if, someone feels unsure of. Extra rehearsal time builds up confidence and stamina within the ensemble; practice makes perfect. As we are third years, each rehearsal and show needs to be up to the professional standard to prepare ourselves for the working performing industry.

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Extra Body Conditioning To up my fitness, I decided to participate in a extra body conditioning class outside of university.

This class focused on strengthening the core, toning the arms and legs and working together to push each other further.

With a higher level of fitness, will help my performance within 9 to 5, as I’ll be able to perform to my best ability.

This is especially important over the next few months as, agents may be invited or I can personally invite them to come and watch one of our graduate shows. I want to be at my best ability at all times because you never know who will come in and watch.

This also relates back to rehearsal period, with our tutors being within the industry they have many connections for future references, so while in the studio, I need to look presentable and be on my best form and working to the best ability.

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My Own Body Improvements and Adjustments Within our technique session, posture was our focus. By having sway backs and bow legs, I need to peruse my thighs coming forward without the feet turning out.

With previous dance training, I know how to hold my posture. However, I’ve never been told to focus on my thighs rotating forward before. “Ask most dancers, and you’ll discover that turnout is high on their list of things to improve and increase” (Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Turnout – Part I, 2008). This is an improvement to work on within the next couple of weeks before the show.

Turn Out and it’s Understand “In anatomical terms, turnout is the outward (sometimes called lateral, or external) rotation of the hip joint. The hip joint is the joining of the head/top of the femur (thigh bone) to the acetabulum, or hip socket” (Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Turnout – Part I, 2008). False Turn Out Turnout does not occur from anywhere other than the hip. A false turnout can be achieved by pronating the tarsus (rolling in) to create the illusion of a wider turnout than is being achieved by the hips alone. This causes a twisting in the knee, a joint which is only designed to extend and flex in the sagittal plane, and this usually leads to misalignment of the pelvis, which actually reduces outward rotation (Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Turnout – Part I, 2008).

Along with transforming my legs, we discussed how to eliminate the pain a get in my lower back, as due to hereditary reasons, I won’t be able to get rid of the pain/ache.

By the slight rotation I made to my legs, there was a release within my lower back. This is a positive as I know what can release the lower ache. With this correction, I’ll feel confident and pain free performing all the way through 9 to 5.

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Characterisation of Kathy To also help with Kathy’s characterisation, I researched into the elements of acting. So looking at her objectives and journeys.

So in the scene above, Kathy’s objective is to tell everyone about the new typewriter in a magical, dream like way. Which then suddenly changes when she notices joe in the office. Her object here is to gather the offices attention as well as Violet to let them know he’s a entered.

To convey these objectives to the audience, I portray Kathy’s excitement over a new typewriter by using the internations in my voice. For example, using a high squeaky tone to denote she’s happy to receive a new typing instrument. When grabbing the offices attention to denote that Joe as entered, I change my vocal tones to long and sustained on, “hunky account at 11 o’clock”. As well as the vocal cue, I gesture my body towards Violet, portraying to the audience I’m aiming my words to her. With these elements, I hope to engage the audience to Kathy’s quirky character from the beginning of the show.

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Cricoid Cartilage

‘The cricoid cartilage is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the trachea, or windpipe. It is located near the middle and center of the neck. This cartilage consists of strong connective tissue constituting the dorsal (back) part of the larynx, or voice box’ (Cricoid Cartilage Anatomy, Function & Location | Body Maps. 2017).

When singing in our higher range the cricoid cartilage moves backwards and under. ‘You should feel the cricoid cartilage tilting backwards as the whole larynx moves upwards’ (Singing Lessons Exeter. 2017).

‘The cricoid tilts under and back, shortening the vocal folds and making it easier for them to vibrate faster. You should hear a lot of high, twangy resonance in the tone, and the high notes should come a little easier’ (Singing Lessons Exeter. 2017).

The main songs in 9 to 5, that will involve using my cricoid tilt would be, Shine Like The Sun and Change it. The high harmony in these songs are reachable when standing still, however when movement is incorporated they get lost.

Two things to work on would be stamina and cricoid tilt.

1) stamina to be able to perform the chorus to its full potential while movement in added. An exercise to assist building up stamina would be running and singing at the same time. Or when in morning metafit class sing while working out.

2) Cricoid Tilt will also help. If you really think about the cricoid cartilage going backwards and under while performing these songs, it should support the vocals in the chorus. Also thinking of this while dancing, will hopefully change the note from being forced out. Another reason why I probably force the note out is due to not breathing properly.

When rehearsing these song, I need to try it lying down. This will help get my breathing correct. I will have to look out and see if my stomach rises when I breath in and pushing inwards when I release all the breathe.

Using a surprised faces when inhaling, allows the vocal folds to part therefore, we use this idea of ‘ drinking’ in the breath. To take in a breath with the vocal folds closed would give a sound of a ‘gasp’. Quiet breathing indicates a more healthy preparation. The folds are ready to connect to produce sound.

By not breathing correctly when singing, you singing from your stomach and this results in pushing the voice and this could cause serious damage over time. This is one main improvement I need to work on as I want to be able to carry on singing for the next 30/40 years instead of having no voice in 10 years time.

Working on all three improvement, will improve my vocals and I will feel more confident in performing it. The harmonies need to be strong in these songs as it is the final song in Act 1 and Change It is a realisation song. We want to finish the first half of our show strongly, we want the audience to feel excited for the second half.

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Swaybacks

Looking at our postures and how we stand naturally, compared to: feet hip width apart, legs pulled up, pelvis neutral, stomach stocked in and engaged, shoulder down and neck long.

I found it rather effortless to transition from my relaxed posture to fully engaged posture. Being fully engaged posture should obliterate any lower back ache. However I still had this pain, therefore something wasn’t in the correct placement.

I was apprehensive that I wasn’t in a accurate posture, so asked for some advice. Our tutuor noticed I lock back into my swaybacks. This picture is an exaggeration of my legs.

‘Sway back legs is a common element for many dancers. It is when your leg muscles have extra flexibility and go beyond the usual alignment of a straight leg’ (Ballet Exercises - Muscle and Strength. 2017).

To release that lower back ache, feedback was to not lock into my legs. A way to amend my posture was to, bend the legs but kee the upper dont in alignment, then slowly straighten the legs to just before they sway right back. Personally, this felt as if my legs were still bent. However when seeing the correction in the mirror they were perfectly straight.

By standing in this position my, quads and hamstrings were functioning in the correct way, by being full engaged. like this meant my quads and hamstring were working in the correct way and were both engaged.

Moreover, another expression expression given, was to slightly tuck the pelvis. Visualising the pelvis tucking supported me in not licking into the legs. However, making sure, to not over tuck the pelvis.

I’m delighted to have found this now, 6 weeks before show, resulting in having time to work hard and try fix it. By correcting this posture alignment will support me through our show. I don’t want to be struck with pain half way through.

1) The audience don’t want to see That i am in pain. As we spend majority of our time close up to the audience they expect to see a face that is deep in their character and not deep in pain.

2) Performing in the correct posture will portray me as a stronger performer. Due to my body sustaining a stronger and proud alignment, it will empathise a knowledge of technique.

When in class, taking the time to focus on my posture to observe if I’m in the correct form and if I am using my core; having my legs slightly bent so that they are straight. Practicing this everyday will allow my body to remember the corrections: Muscle memory.

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Lower Back Ache Release

I decided to research into some ways to eliminate the pain in my lower back.

Findings.......

"Imagery. Think of a straight line passing through your body from ceiling to floor (your ears, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles should be even and line up vertically). Now imagine that a strong cord attached to the top of your head is pulling you upward, making you taller. Try to hold your pelvis level — don't allow the lower back to sway — and resist the urge to stand on tiptoe. Instead, think of stretching your head toward the ceiling, increasing the space between your rib cage and pelvis. Picture yourself as a ballerina or ice skater rather than a soldier at attention".

The next step is to think of this imaginary line when walking, dancing and sitting down. By thinking of being pulled up will help stack each vertebrae on top of each other, resulting in a straighter, elongated spine.

In today’s society, we as humans are lazy and get into the habit of slouching.- ‘to stand, sit, or walk with the shoulders hanging forward and the head bent slightly over so that you look tired and bored’, (slouch Meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary. 2017). ‘Walking upright instead of on all fours has always been a strain, but increasingly sedentary lives, spent at the desk or in the car, are making things worse’, (The Guardian. 2017). This supports the saying of, we as a generation and society are lazy.

Ways to get out of a lazy posture is to exercise and stretch. ‘There is some evidence that disciplines teaching awareness of the body, such as the Alexander technique and Pilates, may have some effect’, (The Guardian. 2017). Pilates and Yoga are both oriented around positivity, body awareness and stretching the body in a deeper understanding way, to help release any unwanted tension within the body. These’s are a few ways to help correct body alignment.

Thinking of these corrections to my posture now, will signify I can perform in a strong technical manner. Which conveys to the audience a high level of professionalism, resulting in future employment. With our stage setting,the audience will notice any little errors or falls so, by having a good technique will narrow down these risks.

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Improving My Fitness During first term, my main focus and commitment is my fitness and lower abdominal muscles. Mainly because, I know I hyper-extend my lower back. By working on strengthening my abdomen especially the lower abs, will help support my hyper-extension, resulting in removing the ache that I get in my lower back. It will also show alterations in my posture, as it will be straighter. By having the correct posture will enable me to perform exercises in a correct safe way, which will end in gaining muscle in the right places. To dance in a safe way, is to have neutral pelvis, so no arching or tucking. Finding the neutral pelvis can be testing however, a exercise to help find awareness, is to stand in a mirror side on and tilt the pelvis forwards and backwards to the extreme. Then letting is fall into the neutral position. Once again, check in the mirror to see if the pelvis is pinching or tucking and adjust. The imagine above portrays 6 exercises I’m going to start with. I aim to perform these exercises everyday, to build up my abdominal muscles and gain support my lower back. These exercise will aid core strength, denoting that in the show I will be able to perform strongly the whole way through, without any back pain as the correct posture will be in place. This is especially helpful for me as, our performance we will be compact to the audience, due to the way we are composing an innovative performance and I don’t want the audience to see any reflection of pain or unfitness.

(Picture: Instagram- @myworld_fitness)

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Auditions

Unfortunately I missed our auditions for 9 to 5 due to family commitments.

At the time I presumed, I’d get the opportunity to audition just so I could get some feedback. However this was altered as the show was cast by the end of the day.

However, auditions were still in process for the characters of, Missy, Kathy and Maria.

I believe I was more suited to one of these roles. As there are still improvements I’d like to evaluate and gain more confidence in before gaining a main role. For example, more vocal fold connectIon and vocal stamina. I have a breathy sound to my voice at the moment meaning to much air is passing through the vocal folds causing less connection for a strong sound. An exercise to help gain more vocal fold connectIon is to, ‘ use heys and yeahs, call out in a spoken voice on different pitches’ (Singing and the Actor. Dymanic control and Projection. Pg. 72).

I’d enjoy the role are Maria Delgado, as it would be a challenge acting wise as she has a Spanish accent. This character expands me and push me out of my comfort zone. However this is what is needed to develop myself as a performer.

Moreover, Kathy’s character is intriguing as she’s a funny character, which I’ve never participated in before. Therefore challenging me and seeing how to work with comedic timing to gain an outstanding performance and make her character relatable.