Post 1-Ensemble Work

On Sunday 10 September, Ms. Justine gave us a new project. The project was working on the aspect of ensemble in theater. The definition of ensemble is:
'noun. 1. an approach to acting that aims for a unified effect achieved by all members of a cast working together on behalf of the play, rather than emphasizing individual performances.' (1)
Ms. Justine first showed us a video of some amateur students doing and ensemble performance. The students were wearing all black to blend in with their backgrounds. They stood out because of their face masks which were white with black markings. This made them look all the same despite there being a mix of men and women (recognized through their voices). to complete the performance, we only had that lesson and eventually an extension, so we weren't able to do wear any costumes.
We were given a text to recite and perform something along the lines of an ensemble. they text was as followed:

"This is a mockery!

My dying is no joke!

I am no figure of fun, no child

To be humiliated and insulted

As I leave you forever

Victimised as I am

By an unjust law."

One of the first things we did once we got into our groups was decide who would say what. Whether we would all say all lines or we would split up the lines and how. There were seven lines that needed to be spread amongst five people, and seven is not divisible by five. We decided that the first and last line are to be said as a chorus, where as the rest of the five lines are to be divided as a group.

When deciding the choreography, one of the first things we thought of circles. Walking in a circle, as we thought that symbolizes unity very well. However, it would get boring very fast and if we stayed like this the entire time, sometimes when reading lines we would have our backs to the audience and would be talking to the wall. Therefore we decided that after the first line, we would go into a line and then step forward and each say our line, before return to the circle formation for the final line. I personally feel that us individually stepping forward, neglects the idea of ensemble. In an ensemble, the is not individual star, it is all group work. By stepping forward, it became more individual. Not to mention how when a person would go forward, the people in the back barely did anything except stand there. If I was to do this again, I would fix the problems I have mentioned.

(1)-http://www.dictionary.com/browse/ensemble-acting