performance Log 2

Log 2 

As an actor, I improved a lot this week because I not only can recite my script, but also know about my disadvantages on controlling emotions and speaking speed. 

 On Monday (10.31), we first ran through our scene in front of the whole class, which gave me the feelings of “on stage” and “performing”. More than just practiced the script one time, I was able to see other groups’ performance, and actually, they inspired me a lot. For example, I learnt from Sam that how to add some actions with emotions to link my lines and also how to use the materials on the stage properly. And the most important thing was I received many useful advises and feedback from my classmates which let me know where I should improve. I list some of them below.

* Speak more loudly and slowly. 

* Solidifying our movements, so they are not awkward (Julia). 

* Enrich Juliet’s emotions more than just yelling and angry(Sam&Julia) 

* Practice the pronunciation more (Kathleen) 

* Make some reactions when Lord Capulet is blaming Juliet (Ms. Guarino) 

After performing, I read those feedbacks carefully and remember them in my mind. They helped me a lot. 

 And then on Wednesday (11.2) I analyzed the emotions of the scripts in class. To my surprise, there are too many different emotions in this scene of Juliet which made me run out of colors to code them. So I realized that I need to be emotional and always be ready to change my emotions during the scene. This is a wise way to make my acting reliable and interesting. By this time, I understood more about my character, Juliet. I found of the answers why she should be sad of frustrated in a certain time. For example, when Lady Capulet tells Juliet that she needs to marry Paris on Thursday, Juliet should be shocked at first rather than just angry. The anger needs time to process. Every emotion comes up because of some certain reasons. They are not just coming from nowhere. 

 During the following days, I spent a lot of time on memorizing my script, and it is kind of difficult for me because Juliet’s lines are always in between Lady Capulet and Lord Capulet, so it is hard to remember its order sometimes. I practiced writing them down many times and corrected them by myself. Besides, I also recorded them in my phone and played them again and again in the morning or any other time when I am free. After school, I sometimes practiced reciting the script with Nancy because she is my partner—Lady Capulet. We checked each others’ lines, and it really is a good way to remember the scripts. Since I paid enough time, I finally can remember them right now.

 Because memorize the lines is the first necessary step, I am pretty sure that I am on the way of performing my character well. The next goal is to add more actions, correct my pronunciation and be familiar with the staging.