Fugee

Evaluation

In last weeks lesson we performed Fugee. Overall the performance went incredibly well. I was pleased with my performance and thought that I really connected with my character, however I think I could have made stronger decisions with Ara's voice and walk.
Things we could improve on a whole is improvisation skills and blocking. At times during the performance people forgot there lines, so in order to continue the flow of the play, using improvisation would have helped, in addition studying your individual blocking may have helped us improve the flow of the play and gives is more confidence in (for example) what scene came next.

Truth, Lies and Asylum Seekers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HpX3-vEwBg

This is a three part BBC programme that explores the lives of Asylum seekers and shows an insight into the way the uk's system is flawed. 

This helped me understand the people and opened up my eyes to the on going issue of the system in which Asylum seekers go through.

Thursday 31st

We began last weeks Theatre lesson by finding a space in room, closing our eyes and getting into our characters. We then walked around the space in our characters. We pushed our characters physicality and body language to the max to make bold, clear decisions. 

We then went into more detail and thought about the smaller habits our characters would have. I discovered that Ara fiddles with her fingers and/or shirt when she is nervous or upset, and then went on to use that habit when Ara showed signs of weakness. I learnt that the smaller details can make a massive difference to the way your characters feelings are portrayed to the audience.

This really helped me to get into my character more and with help from Miss.Niven i discovered that Ara is a little more "ghetto" and strong in the way she walks and talks. As walking around with stronger strides etc. I began to discover more things about Ara and felt that she is not as weak as i thought.

As well as that, watching the other students in my class helped me see that bold physicality changes make a real difference to the presence you bring to the stage and showed me how i could make bolder changes with my character.

Ara- My Artwork

 This is a piece of artwork i did of my character Ara. I wanted to give the illusion of her being trapped in and amongst lots of things. So i used two contrasting thought bubbles, one talking about her feelings like: "trapped, helpless, love, pain " etc. And the other of "hope, freedom and peace." 

The top right hand thought bubbles represents Ara's thoughts and feelings of when she was in kabul. And the bottom left is her hopes and dreams for Kabul in the future.

Art enables me to express Ara's feelings and allows me to learn more about Ara as a character. It helps me visualise her life in a different and creative way.
I learnt how trapped Ara must have been whilst  she was in Kabul and how many thoughts must have been running through    her mind.
                                                                                   

Theatre in Kabul Collage

I made this collage of pictures and quotes showing the difference Theatre is making throughout Kabul. Afghanistan is a troubled and violent place, yet in the heart of Kabul Theatres are changing the lives of men and women. Most Afghans have never experienced live theatre before. Women across Afghanistan are witnessed to violence for appearing on stage. However many charities and theatre companies have set up programs for all genders to get involved in Theatre and use theatre as a tool to escape there daily lives.

As my character Ara comes from Kabul i wanted to research the changes that are being made out there through theatre.

Can Theatre transform Kabul?

Can Theatre transform Kabul?  < click here for article 

This is an article on a Theatre called Aftaab in the heart of Kabul, Afghanistan. The theatre offers men, women and teenagers a chance to escape the daily danger and horrors they go through everyday.

The Aftaab Theater provides a refuge and sense of liberation for young people seeking to carve out a future in a country where many feel out of control of their own lives.