Refining a performance

Group work

The rehearsal process takes a piece of drama from initial idea to the final performance. This process of refining and developing the performance should be documented, analysed and evaluated in the portfolio or devising.

Group rehearsals

During rehearsals, it can be useful to give feedback and constructive advice to other members of the performance. In terms of both performance and design, consider:

• what is working well
• what could enhance the performance
• whether the group and individual aims and intentions are being fulfilled

Technical rehearsals help to ensure that all the technical and design elements work together. They also help to confirm that all cues are clear, and that crew members know what they are responsible for as well as where everything goes on and off stage.

A dress rehearsal is usually the final rehearsal before performing to an audience. It allows the show to run exactly as it would on the night, to check that all performance and design elements come together in real time.

It can be useful to have someone watch a rehearsal, to get an idea of audience response and to receive impartial feedback.

Health and safety

All roles are responsible for ensuring health and safety during rehearsals and performances, working within the latest safety procedures.

Performers and directors

During rehearsal, several performance checks can be run.

Vocal

• Can performers be heard?
• Are they projecting, not shouting?
• Do the performers speak clearly, ie using diction?
• Can you understand what they are saying from the back row of the audience?
• Have performers used vocal techniques to communicate their character, eg accent, pace and pitch?
• Have performers included pauses or dramatic silences to communicate meaning?

Physical

• Have performers included gestures and movement that are appropriate to their characters?
• Do the performers use facial expressions to convey emotions?
• Are the chosen movements precise and controlled?
• Have the performers considered how their characters will stand, using both their posture and their stance?
• Have the performers included any mannerisms?

Often, these aspects can be very subtle, only noticeable during moments when the characters are stressed or worried, for example.

There are also refinement checks that can be run.

Character

• Has each performer created a clear character for the audience? This process is called characterisation.
• Have all performers practised staying in character throughout?
• Are they all completely focused?
• Do performers have clear aims for what they would like to communicate to the audience about their character?
• How does each performer’s character change or develop as the performance progresses?
• How do the characters respond to others around them?

Staging

• Can the audience see the action on stage?
• Do some actors have their backs to the audience unintentionally?
• Is the space being used effectively?
• Is there any setting or staging that can be incorporated?
• Have the actors considered proxemics?
• Can the space be used to communicate meaning to the audience?

Designers

Artistic intentions

• Do all the design elements come together coherently?
• Do they communicate clearly to the audience?

Style

• Do the design choices align with the genre or performance style ?

Feedback

• Have the designers received constructive criticism?
• Have they acted on it positively?

Staging configuration

• Have the designers considered the staging configuration and where the audience are?
• Can the audience see the action?
• Is there any staging blocking the audience’s view?

Colour

• Have the designers experimented with colour?
• Is colour being used to explore or express symbolic ideas?
• Are the performers’ faces lit clearly and with appropriate colour choices?

Materials

• Are the materials appropriate for the performance’s time period, style and character?
• Are the materials durable?
• Have the designers considered movement constraints?
• Have the designers considered how their set will be moved or operated?

Mood and atmosphere

• Have the designers considered how their design contributes to the mood and atmosphere for this scene or performance as a whole?
• Is their chosen idea enhancing the mood or distracting from it?

Health and safety

• Are cables and any set items taped down, eg rugs? Are there any liquids near electricity?
• Have precautions been taken to make sure the performers, crew and audience are all safe throughout the performance?
• Do any warnings need to be issued in advance, eg for strobe lighting?