Theatre can be weird enough, so adding an experimental aspect to the work I will be doing strikes me as possibly quite daunting. My immediate thoughts on experimental theatre consisted of a niche style of theatre far away from my comfort zone. However it occurred to me that out of my comfort zone is exactly where I need to be if I want any chance of improving as a performer. I have come to know my strengths and weaknesses as a performer and due to both instinct and pride, I have clung to my strengths as a way forward. However if I want to continue my journey learning as an actor, both in the rehearsal room and on stage, I must start to evaluate my weaknesses and tackle them head first, even if this results in me both physically and metaphorically falling flat on my face. Experimental term is the perfect opportunity to break down my boundaries and push myself to create a piece that is personally invested in and creatively fuelled.
Therefore my aspirations for this term stretch far and wide. My first goal is inspired by the topic we will be tackling- mental health. As a young person of the 21st century, mental health is something that is presenting itself more and more in my life. As a whole mental health is not set in stone and has many definitions placed on a large spectrum of interpretations and stories. On top of that I am sure mental health is a subject that effects many of my peers, meaning there will be a lot of personal input throughout the process. The combination of these factors create a vast blank canvas for us as both actors and young people to paint a complexed, colour, wonderful picture onto. Working on something so broad as mental health is something I am very excited to do. As for breaking boundaries, putting my stamp and using my voice to propel this piece forward is something I am very eager to do.
Not only am I eager to devise a piece on mental health, I am also intrigued to see how I can do it in an experimental way. I have been given an opportunity to do anything; something that could inspire bold choices or blank thoughts. Sometimes being given complete control is too much and yet I hope being given a subject to focus on, will also focus my train of thought. I can throw paint on stage or incorporate poetry and spoken work or choreograph a group macarena (within reason.) Hopefully focusing on metal health will help source ideas that I can push forward in any direction I want.
Finally, although working independently and having my own voice is important and exciting, I think working as an ensemble is just as, if not more exciting. Especially in an unscripted piece, 20+ heads are better than 1; they are far more effective, creative and expressive than just me. Therefore I think it will be essential to our piece to incorporate everyone single person's ideas and voice as I believe it will create a performance that can speak to every member of our audience member, causing them to all leave with something different to take away with them.
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