Assessment practice- group section to music.

BUILDING COURAGE WITHIN GROUP PERFORMANCE

Today we have been practicing the final section of the formative assessment. This section involves the class being sat in a circle. The music will then begin and we can enter and exit the circle as we please. We must use the music to inspire our movements, particularly in relation to pace. I enjoy listening to the music closely to find little moments of change and emphasis in order to discover innovative ways of moving within the space, that don't involve conforming to one rhythm. This is also important in relation to my other classmates as I am able to use this to create relationships with them within the space, through the use of a contrasting movement style for example. By doing so it ensures that our performance is constantly engaging and interesting with new dynamics developing often. If I find myself becoming repetitive within my movements I either take a moment to step out of the circle and let others perform until I have discover a way in which I can bring something new to the performance, or stand and create a moment of stillness. The incorporation of moments of complete stillness works to add another change of dynamic within the piece.
I enjoy group work as you are able to explore pair work or small group work within the entire group performance. I believe that my group has a good bond when they are working within the space and can connect to create beautiful moments. For example when rehearsing this section, I noticed my classmate Olivia knelt down doing a sweeping movement above her head with her arm. I decided to go and stand behind her, mirroring this arm movement, in order to create levels within the piece. She noticed that I was doing this and we were able to connect within that moment and move in unison. This is why I like improvisation so much as the performance is different every time and there is always new moments that arise that can inspire you and influence you.
I think that this is my favourite part of the assessment as we are working as one in the space and for me this seems to be where everybody emits the most energy and determination within performance. When we had finished we gained feedback from Liz on what she liked and she gave us ideas that we could try when performing it next time. One thing in particular that we need to work on is when one or two people are left in the space. When this happened the person became noticeably worried and often ran off to the edge of the circle, leaving no one in the space. We need to build the confidence to push through these moments, even if you are left alone in space, as it creates a beautiful dynamic within the piece, but at the same time if we see our classmate in that position we need to help them and not leave them alone for long.
I often find myself sat at the edge of the circle thinking just go in there Krystina and I aim to just go for it next time as it is often the case that once another person enters it gives someone else the courage to do so also. It is important that if we do have a moment of nervousness that we do not show it and maybe just take a moment of stillness to compose ourselves.
     I look forward to rehearsing this section further and learning to take risks even if you are alone in it. Furthermore I hope that by the time we perform we will have become more confident as a group to try things that are more imaginative and out of our comfort zone. I believe that we have the ability to accomplish a successful group performance if when try our best and concentrate.