Assignment - Unit 2 - Engaging with an audience
Part one.
see blog.
Part two.
Task 1.
Auditions.
When auditioning for the Wizard of Oz I first analysed the script of the play so I could figure out which character I would like to go for. When reading the script I decided that the character I would like to go for was the Cowardly Lion. This is because I really liked the character and thought his character arc was extremely interesting and I thought it would be fun to get the chance to play this character.
To prepare myself for the audition I went over the chosen lines we had been given with a couple of other classmates reading in for me. This helped me because it meant I could practise without skipping over lines and getting confused.
Going into the first audition I was extremely nervous as it was my first ever proper audition and I wanted it to go well. I think I performed well in front of Kelly and Kane but if I could re-do the audition I would make sure I didn't get to much into my own head as I started to forget lines because I was panicking on whether I was doing it right or not.
I think the main part that let me down was the group auditions. We got put into small groups of the characters we were going for, For example I went for the Cowardly Lion so I was put into a group with people who went for Dorothy, Scarecrow and the Wizard. This was so we could do a chemistry read to see how we mixed with each other and how we acted together. However I didn't realise we would be performing these scenes in front of everyone after we had rehearsed them. This made me second guess myself and I didn't give it my best. I know for definite that if I could re-do this audition I would ignore my doubts and just give it my all even if it seems embarrassing, I learnt from this how much I need to work on my own confidence.
Task 2.
Performance.
Munchkin performances - I loved playing as a munchkin and this was very surprising for me as I hated the lessons and rehearsals for munchkin because we had to act as a kid every lesson. But being on the stage as a munchkin completely felt different as being a munchkin in a classroom. The reactions we got from the audience, laughing, clapping and just enjoying the performance was a really great experience.
To do my munchkin performance I just tried to act very toddler like. Reacting to everything that was said, screaming when the witch came on and cheering when the witch is dead. This is what was written in the script but to bring it to life you had to have the right emotion and headspace so I chose to act very kid like because I think that a munchkin is very similar to a toddler personality wise. I learnt from this character that even if you don't like what you rehearse, you can still love it when performing.
Ozian performances - I really disliked being an Ozian as they were very uptight but also a bit foolish and I found that quite hard to act as I couldn't really find the right balance between the two as they are polar opposites.
The march was quite difficult for me because you had to keep a straight face whilst also being in line with everyone else keeping to the beat of the drums. However, acting the part were the Ozians went back to doing their every day chores was a little easier because I could relate to what they were doing. I learnt from this character that I need to work on my multi-tasking and being able to balance multiple emotions and actions is key to being a successful actress.
Aunt Em performances - This is the character I was given instead of the Cowardly Lion and to be honest I'm very grateful I was given a smaller role because it showed me that at the time I wasn't ready for a bigger role because I needed to get used to acting on a stage so it eased me into it. Aunt Em only had a couple of lines but this meant I could still get the experience of a speaking role without pushing myself to quickly.
I enjoyed playing Aunt Em because her character showed a lot of emotion in a small amount of time. fear, worry and love. I liked this because it meant I could learn how to switch from different emotions in such a fast paced scene. I learnt from this character that I still need to work on my projection and facing the audience as I did look at Dorothy for most of my lines, this means for my next performance I know I need to face the audience and project my voice so the people at the back can hear me.
Task 3.
Research about the Wizard of Oz.
The film and its most recent sequel -
The first ever Wizard of Oz film was made in 1939 and starred Judy Garland as Dorothy. There's a myth that the Wizard of Oz is actually cursed because of all the bad things that happened during filming. For example, the Cowardly lions costume was actually made from a real life lions hide and its been said that wearing that made the actor sweat so much during filming he nearly fainted multiple times, not to mention that the so called costume weighed 90 pounds and two workers had to dry it after every scene.
It has also been said that the scarecrows costume left him with extremely deep and painful marks for nearly a year after filming because of how sharp his costume was.
My favourite fact about this movie is that the dog who played Toto actually got payed more than most of the actors who played as munchkins.
The most recent sequel of the Wizard of Oz was made in 2013 and was called 'Oz the Great and Powerful'. This movie shows how well CGI and filming has developed throughout the years.
In my opinion the moral of the story is that you just need to believe in yourself to achieve your goals, For example, The Cowardly Lion wanted courage and went to the Wizard of Oz for courage not realising he had courage all along. When the Wizard 'gave' him courage he believed he was now courageous but we know that as an audience that he was never actually given courage, he had it all along and he just needed to be reminded of that.
Same with the Scarecrow and the Tinman wanting brains and a heart. The wizard told them they had it so they believed they got what they wished for even though they had always been smart and caring, they just needed some encouragement to be believe it themselves.
Task 4.
My character information.
Aunt Em-
I know from my first line that Aunt Em is scared and worried about the tornado coming towards her house. The words "oh dear me" show me that even though this is a very scary situation Aunt Em will still try to stay calm to keep Dorothy from getting worried. I will portray this by saying "oh dear me" in a more calmly manner towards Dorothy and then face towards the audience and begin to raise my voice as I start to describe the tornado and realise the house and my family is in danger.
final lines: "oh my dear child where ever in the world did you come from"
I know from these lines that Aunt Em cares very deeply for Dorothy and is ready to welcome Dorothy home in open arms. It also shows me that she was surprised by Dorothy's entrance because she came out of thin air. I will portray this by looking confused but also extremely happy because my daughter has come back home. I will be calm but shocked and hug Dorothy to show her how much I have missed her, also pacing around and checking she is okay, acting as a concerned mother.
Aunt Ems presence: I think Aunt Em is an extremely caring character and that is how she acts towards the ones she loves. She has a warm presence and everyone loves her. However I feel like this is something that doesn't always show and sometimes she puts up a front, like when the cyclone is coming she is terrified inside buy acts tough so she doesn't worry Dorothy. I also think this is shown when Dorothy comes back home, she lets her guard down and hugs Dorothy because she knows her daughter is okay but then will go straight back to standing tall and composing herself because she wants to make sure she will always be taken seriously.
I think Aunt Em is more caring on Stage then she is on screen. This is because in the play Aunt Em believes Dorothy and is just glad she is home. Whereas, in the movie Aunt Em is adamant that Dorothy was dreaming because she is shown waking up from Oz in the safety of her own bed.
Task 5.
Backstage.
see blog named 'My backstage role - Oz'
Task 6.
Evaluation.
Going from my role in The Ghost light Tours to my role in the Wizard of Oz shows me how much more comfortable I am performing in front of others.
In the ghost light tours I was extremely nervous about the whole thing, forgetting lines, being judged for my acting style and how my character looked. But in the Wizard of Oz I didn't have this problem, I was still very nervous about doing a good job but I didn't care about looking like an old lady because I was excited to perform on stage and show everyone my take on the character. Although both of my roles in these performances were quite small that wasn't a problem because it showed me and others what I'm capable of and how much better I have gotten from worrying about what others think, to believing in my own acting skills.
Feedback from others - "make sure to look forward while speaking and don't block yourself from the audience"
This feedback has helped me because it has made me realise that I didn't always face forward whilst saying my lines so not everyone could see me. This has helped me learn that for my next performance I need to face forward when I'm speaking so I don't block myself.
The main thing I learnt from this show and role as a whole is that at the time of auditions I wasn't ready for a bigger role because I needed to work on being confident in my acting first. This has helped me because after performing as Aunt Em I know I would like to do more but I needed this role to realise I was ready to take on something more challenging.
I have also leant how important it is to be there for your fellow actors whether that's helping them quickly go over lines behind stage, to just telling them they are going to do a great job. Working in an ensemble was a great experience because everyone was just so happy and excited to be performing and you really bounce off of that energy. Everyone was so helpful making sure you had everything you needed for your scene, making sure you were ready and back stage for your scene or just reminding you of why we do this in case your feeling nervous.
I think the main thing I would change in my performance would be to face forward and be a little louder as the cyclone sound was very loud and at some points I wasn't being loud enough so you couldn't hear all of my line.
knowing all of this now I know moving forward I will use this feedback and improvement to make my next performance be even better than this one. Making sure I am always talking as loudly or as quietly as I should be and facing forward, never blocking myself or others from the audience. Also remembering to be confident in my acting and that if I want a more challenging role I need to prove that I'm ready.
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