Post Showcase Suggestions for Improvements.

Okay, firstly, I'd wanna CONGRATS everyone!! =D
We all did a very good job as compared to previously. =)
A little hiccups here and there are inevitable given the "Performance" settings.
Now, know how it feels like up there, and deliever your utmost best on our actual performance day!

I've been believing in one quote that my friend said during one of the church musical's debrief that I took part in, and that's "Prepare yourself to give 200% on stage and you'll be left with 100%".
And that's so true! When we're on stage, maybe it doesn't show, or you don't think so. We'll be nervous in a way or another. Don't let this "undue factors" steal our chances to rock the theatre okay! =D We can do it man!!


Okay, lets get into things proper.
Starting with the comments they gave in the overall and how we should improve as a group.

"We need to work on our voice".
Yes this is SO TRUE. Especially for Benjamin. We must always keep in mind on the tension level on stage, and be very aware of our surroundings while focusing on what we're doing at every given time.
One point raised by Ruth was drawn towards Benny's expressions (tone) during his first monologue. Perhaps we all didn't bother or didn't notice, or rather, didn't know the impact of such trivial matters that we didn't go into it. The front few lines from "May I speak to the principal..." to "...don't give a fucking business who i am!" was mainly used to build tension for the play and to set the atmosphere... It was mostly well done UNTIL the joyful and... careless "oh, i see". It was said in a comical, yet tuneful tone that totally ruined the tension created earlier. We are doing Stanislavski people, NOT BRECHT ALIENATION!!! The laughter from the crowd changed the tension but it was quickly brought back. For that, I must congratulate you. =) Well done. But do watch out on potential anti-climax tone that'd break any tension. Same goes for EVERYONE. =(

Again, for tone. Mr Choy brought up a very good point. We should never strain our voices unless denoted in the script. Touchwood, no one should lose their voice in the middle of a play. That brings me to the next point that was also brought up by Mr Choy and that's "ANGER DOESN'T ALWAYS EQUATE TO SHOUTINGS / LOUDNESS IN OUR VOICES!!" We can make use of the T.H.O.S.E. aspects in our scene instead of forcing our voices to the limits.

Tension wise, in my opinion, was affected partly by the set and also the dryness of the third scene. The sudden change of tension and sequence can't really be changed or improved if we've given our best and we're purely following the script.
Talk about the set. It's angled in such a way that it gives audience an impression that the house is wide. With the wide spread of lights, and "long" set, it gives the audiences the feeling that the tension that we were trying to focus from where we were (slightly off center from the front of the sofa), were dispersed throughout the space. One direct approach we can take to change such a problem is to reduce the lightings to only on us. But it'll also restrict our movements later on. Otherwise, we can shift the set, redesign it. And that means, redrawing the stage-directions. D; We'll go further into detail during our next meeting, tomorrow.

Last point that I'm gonna raise up as a reminder, is to be very sure of the relationship between the characters in the play. Though it was stated in what we say, the idea wasn't conveyed apparently. Maybe we should work on that.
I've no idea what time are we meeting tomorrow.
Guess it's 4pm at Esplanade lobby open performance area.
Seeya there for the TSD MEETING!! =D
Don't be late!!
I'll try to rush down from Choir alright?? =)

Cheers,
Chenxing (Matthew)

p/s: Ruth have tried to book the bbox on Monday 4 - 6pm and Thurs 6 - 8pm for rehearsals and tag run. =) Try to clear your timetable to suit that slot first. Details / Confirmation to come SOON!! =D