Performing Arts

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Explanation of improvisation rules
- 'Accept', be open to a variety of ideas when improvising and give yourself to the performance.
- 'Don't block', avoid using the word 'no' as it can cause your partner to struggle to continue. Also try to use lengthy sentences to give your partner time to think and make it easier for the improvisation to flow.
- 'Don't put down', Rob explained that often in improvisation, actors will insult or 'put down' their fellow actor in order to receive what he described as 'cheap laughs'. Refrain from doing this.



Important messages:
Don't worry or panic about failures, evaluate and understand where you went wrong and use that to improve.
    Be aware of yourself and others when acting.
    It can be helpful to give yourself an environment when improvising.



Beware of inhibitions!
Students may decide to stay quiet due to the fear of being humiliated because of the way we sound.

Poems:
Poems can be a challenge because  we often fall in to the trap of speaking in a sophisticated manner as we believe that's how poems are supposed to sound, however it's more important to portray the truth of the piece.
Vocals

Vocal issues to avoid - flat tone, glottal, telescoped words

 Vocal exercises - Placing the tongue on the top and flicking it down to the bottom lip

 - Move mouth as if chewing a piece of a gum then continue that movement with the mouth open, letting out a sound

Avoid exclamatory acting just because you’re angry, show the anger through tone, pitch, pace etc.


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Introduction to professional practice

There are a variety of different roles within the Performing Arts industry, such as:
- Actor
- Stunt performer
- Animator
- Arts administrator
- Audio-visual technician
- Broadcast engineer
- Broadcast journalist
- Choreographer
- Lighting technician
- Screen writer
- Classical musician
- Computer games developer
- Set designer
- Costume designer
- Dance teacher
- Dancer
- Live sound engineer
etc...

In order to become an actor I would look toward joining the top drama schools such as:
- Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts
- Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
- Guildhall School of Music & Drama
- The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama
- The MTA (Musical Theatre Academy)


Health and safety aspect of the voice of an actor

As an actor, it’s very important to take care of your voice so that you’re able to use it to the best of your ability in any performance, and to avoid causing any damage to your throat 

DO:
Drink lots of water (to keep your throat hydrated)

Carry out a vocal warmup before any rehearsal or performance

Rest your voice as often as possible


DON'T:
Drink excessive amounts of alcohol

Smoke

Intake excessive amounts of dairy





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