Performance can be physically challenging and each style will require different physical demands. Therefore, as a student in performance, it is important that I have a good idea of my physical attributes. This can vary from stamina to flexibility, with stamina arguably being the most important for long work day requirements..
In class, we tested our levels of our strengths and weaknesses using methods such as yoga stretches, core exercises (head stands) and a bleep test. Physical acting workshops are an also a good indicator of physical attributes. Workshops such as the 'Eight Efforts' or the 'Seven Levels of Tension' requires a wide range of movements and understanding of each movement. They are also physically very challenging as particular exercises for example, using aggressive actions, require effort. Other work shops that are based on scales of movement, such as light/heavy, human/animal were also good tests of physical capabilities. The understanding gained from these workshops is not purely fitness or physical, but also the understanding of movement and physical expression.
Physical Analysis:
Flexibility: Range of movement. This is important for physical performance as it gives actors and dancers a greater range of movement capability.
-Even though I have good range of movement, I experience tightness across most muscle groups, such as the quads, hips, lower back, shoulders, calves and hamstrings. This tightness restricts my movement and effects my posture. It is important that I develop a stretching routine, exercise regularly and avoid activities that may cause tightness. I already utilise massage therapy to help release excessively tight muscle and tendons.
Speed: Speed of movement. It is useful for being able to move at higher speeds for purpose of matching dance tempo. It also allows more explosive movement. Speed can be negative if moving too fast to be tracked by camera, or close up movements.
- I feel I have enough speed for most performance styles. Even though I am 35, I am still as quick and nimble as at any other time. I am as fast as any of the students I have worked with so far, so I don't see the as an area that needs urgent work. I can also walk fast backward, which itself is probably more useful to a performer than pure speed. However, I need to be more considerate of the tempo of my movement. At times, I need to slow down my movement, or remain still, especially if I am performing close up to a camera.
Agility: Movement at speed, changing direction at speed. Agility is a combination of speed, flexibility, balance and coordination. Agility is particular useful in dance and allows more dynamic movements in performance.
-I am an agile person, who can move and change direction at speed. I am probably more agile now than I was when I was 18-21, but not as fit. I am not the most gymnastic and movements such as back flips are probably beyond my reach, but I am agile enough for most performance styles.
Balance: Ability to stay upright or hold difficult poses. Balance is important in everyday life for simple actions such as walking. The demands of the performer can vary between performance types. Balance allows the performer to hold stances that are associated with dancing. Having good balance in performing allows you to perform more difficult and challenging movements.
-My balance is a strong asset and felt comfortable performing balance test exercises. I still feel I can improve my balance, but this can be achieved by also working on weaker areas such as core strength.
Reflexes: Reacting to stimuli. Reflexes also utilise speed, flexibility and agility. Fast reflexes provides the performer faster reactions and greater control over their reactions.
-Even when I am tired, my reflexes are extremely sharp. I can react very quickly to a stimuli such as dropping and then catching an object and very difficult to jump scare. During a ball game, during Connors workshop, I accidentally dropped a ball and was able to quickly read and flick the ball up with my foot and catch it.
Co-ordination: The ability to performance multiple actions at the same time. Body awareness. Co-ordination effects the complexity of movements. Co-ordination is especially important for performing dance, but is required for any performance. A juggler requires very high levels of hand/eye coordination. It can also be difficult to talk or sing whilst performing actions, which is often necessary during performances. Even everyday tasks such as driving require high levels of co-ordination.
-I feel I have good co-ordination skills. I am able to perform dance movements and other sophisticated movements. I am comfortable for example, catching objects dropped from a 3 storey scaffold.
Core strength/Posture: Ability to hold positions and stay upright. Overall body strength. Core strength is necessary for dancing and physical theatre. Dance requires excellent posture and ability to hold positions. Physical theatre is hugely demanding of diversity in movement and possibly even to carry other performers. Therefore, core strength is an important attribute for performance.
-Although I capable of performing exercises that require core strength such as planks, head stands and shoulder stands, the muscles tire quickly. I need to work on building the core with exercises such as planks, squats and leg raises. I also need to work on my posture.
Stamina: Physical endurance, work rate. Performing is very physically demanding. A performer will require energy levels to work to the demands of the role. Even less physical roles can by enduring.
-I did OK in the bleep test used for endurance testing. Although, I have some natural fitness and high work rate, I fatigue quickly. I am aware that long term health issues have affected my stamina, so I need to find a balance of activity levels when working on my stamina levels. Activities such as short walks, dancing and low intensity training would be recommended. Nutrition is also pivotal and possible the main underlying cause of the fatigue. However, I am fit enough to perform when required. I have the ability to push through and deliver, even if I suffer later on.
Acting Workshops: As part of the physical movement and devising course, the class took part in a number of physical theatre workshops. The workshops explored movement techniques such as Laban's 8 efforts, Lecoq's 'The 7 Levels of Tension', Frantic Assembly Flying Workshop and Adams Frightmare workshop. The exercises not only required physical movement, but an understanding of movement and a finer control of movement. It was useful for devising characters movements and actions for a performance. The workshops also encouraged us to tap into various emotional energies and break inhibitions. Each of the workshops required different levels of physicality, with some workshops helping with artistic or emotional interpretation, where as others required greater physical strength.
I found the Frantic assembly Flying workshop the most physically challenging. It required core strength, upper body strength and stamina. Although I was able to achieve some results, I felt I was unable to perform the exercise for extended periods. I also found that I had injured my shoulder after the exercise. I would need to weight train (Squats and overhead press would be most helpful in this instance) and do core strengthening (Head stands, planks, leg raise, seated rows) exercises in order to be able to perform Flying movements consistently.
I found through each exercise and workshop that my confidence as a performer improved. I felt capable of performing in each workshop even though my health is not 100% at this time. I could still continue to improve in fitness and refine my understanding of movement by continuing to partake in similar exercises.
Other factors:
Age: I am in a class catered for students 18-21. I am older, past my peak, therefore, my fitness will naturally decline with age. I have to work harder and be more disciplined in order to improve physically. I will have to work on areas such a flexibility and stamina, regardless of my current level.
Calories: As part of my physical evaluation, my main focus actually needs to be nutrition. I need to ensure I am consuming enough calories to build and maintain my energy levels. This is important as otherwise I become extremely fatigued after exercise. My focus therefore needs to be on ensuring I am eating 2000-3000 calories (2-3 meals) a day. My diet is generally healthy and I mostly avoid junk food such as fizzy drinks, sweets and cakes.
Illness: Long term fatigue caused by illness, overwork, poor sleep and under eating has to be carefully managed. I have to pace myself in order to build upon my fitness and learn to manage life problems. I am already working with my GP in regards to my health issues and will be assisted by a nutritionist once I am able to get an appointment. I am improving by the week, but I will need cater my exercise program with this in mind. It is possible I have some underlying illness such as anaemia causing the fatigue, so it will be important that I also continue to work with the GP to devise a suitable treatment for my fatigue.
Lifestyle: I am also a smoker, so it would be beneficial to move towards reducing and possibly quitting. This would also help improve my stamina and contribute to my general well-being.
Conclusion:
Specific areas that require work: Stamina, Core Strength, Flexibility, Tempo, Confidence, Expression.
Overall, despite my age and health issues, I feel I am physically capable performer. My movement speed, reflexes and balance are my primary assets. I am capable of a very broad range of movement. I need to work to improve my stamina and this will be my primary focus. If I can return to pre illness level of stamina, then my stamina and work rate will also become an asset as it has been in the past. I will also need to include stretches and yoga as part of my routine to help prevent muscle tightness from restricting my movement and causing injuries. Despite my physical limitations, I am able to push myself to another level when required, ability to go above and beyond my current energy levels. I will put everything into a performance, even if it breaks me. Therefore, it is essential that I become physical fitter and improve my lifestyle so I do not become broken after each performance.
My main weakness in terms of the workshops was not physical limitations, but confidence. Confidence is fundamental to performing as with it, the performance is half hearted. The aim is to influence the audience, the performer needs to give everything. I have improved in confidence via performing in workshops, rehearsals and live performances, but this is something I also need to work on to enhance my physical performance.
As a performer, this is a new experience. Although I am capable physical, I still need to work on my understanding and interpretation of movements. Performing is an expression and although I am expressive, it would be useful to focus on practising techniques that enhance and refine my understanding of movements and expressions.
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