LO2: A Chorus Line Rehearsal Reflection Week 5

⭐A CHORUS LINE ⭐

Rehearsal Reflection - Week 5

Tuesday 8th

Instead of having a rehearsal we had a workshop with the founder of ROM Theatre Arts. This was a dance workshop so we did a rather intense warmup. The warmup we did was something I found very helpful as I felt more stretched and ready to dance. I will be using certain exercises when I warm up for rehearsals as I think they will be beneficial to my warm up for "A Chorus Line". At the end of the workshop, we performed a couple numbers to our workshop leader. We showed her, "I Hope I Get It", "At the Ballet" and my number "Dance: Ten; Looks: Three". Doing this really pushed everyone's characters through as we wanted to impress the workshop leader and we did the numbers to our best ability. We need to keep this up in rehearsals when we don't have an audience so that we can get used to using our energy more and having a high performance standard. 

Wednesday 9th

For this rehearsal, we started with both a vocal and physical warmup. Once we did that we worked on all the montages except 4. We went through and recapped "Montage Part 1: Hello Twelve" and went into "Montage Part 2: Nothing". This number only includes Diana and the actors so we just sat and watched. We then started working on "Montage Part 3: Mother". As a group, we struggled a little with the choreography with the footwork and arms right at the start. We were getting confused on when we were meant to stop and go again as it was specific to the lyrics and music. The rest of the number is simple for us as this number is a lot slower and sombre. The focus point of this number is our characterisation and singing as we want the audience to really focus on the lyrics and not get distracted by a lot of movement on stage. We rely on our characterisation to tell the story. We finished the number so we got up to "Montage Part 4: Gimme the Ball". After that we ran through my song as we hadn't done it in a while. The more I go through my song, the more confident I become with it. I just need to work on learning my monologue now. 

Once we did that, we began to do a run-through from the start of the show up until 'Paul's Scene'. We included all the scenes in between the numbers as well. This would be the first time we are actually running it all through so far. This is really good for us to do as we can figure out how tired we are going to be after each number and see when there's an available opportunity to get a drink. Everything went pretty smoothly apart from some numbers there were minor slip-ups that need to be polished and fixed. One key thing that messed up the flow was that we are all still in the stage of learning lines. Once that is done, we will be able to add more character and flow to the scenes. 

We had our headshots for the programme after this rehearsal. Due to this, I had my hair styled in the style that I plan to have it for the actual shows. I had a side part curly fringe as apart of the style and this became really annoying during the rehearsal as it kept getting in my face. Mid-rehearsal I pinned this fringe part back. This made such a difference as I stopped fidgeting and focusing on my hair. This is something I need to bare in my mind for when we start doing costume runs with our hair and makeup done. Once we had our headshots, we moved on to having an extra rehearsal with the rest of the cast to work on the finale, "One: Bows".

• Skills: Learning of Lines (Line scenes), Characterisation (my song)
• Areas For Development:  Coordination & Timing (Montage Part 3: Mother...), Learning of Lines (Monologue)

One of my main skills for this rehearsal was that I knew my lines when we began doing our run-through. The fact that I knew my lines allowed me to express my character more during the scenes as I didn't have my script in hand. Another skill of mine was my characterisation, particularly with my song. Every time I sing my song I think my confidence grows and I feel more relaxed and free to fully express my character. I have been working on my song at home and each time I develop it and push my character further. I think my main area for development and for the rest of the group would be coordination and timing for the start of "Montage Part 3: Mother". As a group, we all struggled with when to come in and with when we need to stop and freeze then come back in again. The timing slightly changes during the footwork section at the start of the number and this does throw us off. We need to just listen to the track more and become more familiar with the timing as this will really help us with the footwork. My other area for development from this rehearsal would be that I need to learn my monologue so that I am off-book. With my monologue I am restricted in the amount of characterisation that I can do as I am reading from my script. Once I earn my monologue I will be more free to add story and character to the words I'm saying and really communicate my character to the audience as this is the first time the audience will properly hear from my character.

Rehearsal Videos

Thursday 10th

The aim for this was to work on the transition from "Montage Part 3: Mother..." into "Montage Part 4: Gimme the Ball...". These songs don't have a pause that signify that one has ended and one is beginning; they transition straight into each other. At the end of "Montage 3" it's slow and sombre and we finish stand still. To get ready for "Montage 4" we need to move back to our line position. The first part of "Montage 4" relies on our characterisation and reacting to what characters Judy and Greg are saying at the start. This gives us a chance to get ready for the dance sections in "Montage 4". We learnt the choreography up to the main "Gimme the Ball..." section and we got up to half-way through that part. I personally really like this dance as it is upbeat and energetic. This dance really contrasts some of the earlier numbers, for example, "At the Ballet" and the end of "Montage Part 3: Mother..". I really enjoy its energy and I feel really confident with the dance style of the choreography. I feel like I can let loose and just have fun with it. So far, it is my favourite number to perform (other than my own) as the actual dance style is one that I feel the most confident and comfortable dancing myself. At the start of the number (just before the "Gimme the ball..." main section) we do an arm sequence in the line. This sequence is fast and quite complicated and I did struggle with it, especially as we are singing at the same time. 

• Skills: Confidence, Harmonies
• Areas For Development: Singing simultaneously with Arm Sequence

My main skill for this really was my confidence. I feel that I really just had fun and projected myself and my character really well. I also remembered my harmony part so confidently projected that too. In terms of my areas for development, I would say that I need to work on my ability to do the arm sequence in "Montage 4" and sing at the same time. I am surrounded by people, in the line, who do not sing the same vocal part as me so I was finding it really difficult to be able to concentrate on my vocal part as well as the choreography. To help with this, I juts need to familiarise myself with the song and my vocal part more and I need to work on the arm sequence so that it becomes muscle memory to me so that I am able to focus on my vocal part and lyrics more. 

Rehearsal Videos

Friday 11th

This rehearsal we worked on the finale. We were with the full cast for this rehearsal as everyone is in this number. We developed the choreography further. I must say that I am struggling to remember this choreography. For some reason it isn't sticking in my head very well. I think this is due to the fact that this rehearsal is shorter than our other rehearsals so we have less time to repeat movements and go over them. This means that anything new we learn I need to put in the effort at home by practicing the choreography to make sure I am prepared for this rehearsal or any rehearsals we have.