Unit 2: Developing skills and techniques

This is the unit we will start with and continue to use this learning and skills throughout the rest of the course. We will initially start with a range of different classes and workshops to build our skills and learn from each other, alongside that we will start to learn the correct technical terminology and theory behind being a performer. In this section I will post lots of resources and links to opportunities for you to develop your skills at home. A lot of professional companies are very kindly offering free online classes due to the current situation and it is such a great opportunity to try new things and get yourself ready for life a performing arts student. My most successful performing arts student weren't the ones who came to college with a high level of ability beforehand but those who had drive and motivated themselves and worked for themselves outside of the classroom as well as in lessons. I will also set you a glossary task, one which if you complete you will be ahead for September!

Terminology task

I have uploaded a glossary book (the front page says Drama but add terminology for dance and vocals and musical theatre too, it will be easier to keep it all in one place) you can use to add terminology you find throughout your work and research, I have also uploaded different skills and the correct terminology below, most without a definition. Your task is to research the words you are unsure of and in your own words write what this word means. Some you may already know and therefore it can be for reference. When going through some of the skill development tasks the videos will use terminology also, take this from the videos and add it to your glossary.

Acting

Acting isn't just pretending to be something and reacting to another person on stage. To be a great actor you need to work on your craft. This includes improving your creativity and imagination which can be done in many ways, it includes your memorisation skills etc. Below are some tips and hints for actors and the videos will also give you ideas of things to do to become better. My biggest piece of advice is to ACTUALLY WATCH THEATRE! Go back to the devising theatre page where I also advise you to watch and analyse theatre. Also you can watch screen acting anytime at home, but don't just passively watch, take note of what they are doing. Then i would advise to read plays and scripts to get background into what these look like and also what direction the scripts are giving actors. Finally give it a go, try out a favourite monologue you find (monologue is a speech by one actor). If you do this, I would LOVE to see them! Send them to me at rebecca.brierley@hartlepoolsixth.ac.uk and I can give you feedback.