Taylor’s Document Diary
Year 11 VCE Theatre Studies 2020
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Final Performance Reflections
After weeks of Tech Runs, our final performance for TOTC was successful. Our use of theatrical elements, production roles, and storytelling were able to create a compelling performance that inspired the audience. Another group that was able to compel the audience was A Polite Protest. The group took inspiration from a variety of modern theatrical… Read more
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Set/Props in TOTC
In our Production, The Tale of Two Cities, we wanted to make set and props a centre part of our show, as they establish the surroundings, and nature of each character. My character, who symbolises the upper-class in a snobby comical manner, is seated in luxury. A comfortable chair, with a table cloth covering a… Read more
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Class Review: Elle, Joley and Yasmin
The Theatre Of Happening class by Elle, Joley & Yasmin was an engaging, interactive class, that managed to hold the attention of the class and help them come up with creative ideas. Theatre of the Happening consists of creating theatre in the current moment and in present events. Performing in normal everyday locations, contrasting to… Read more
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Reflecting on Fleabag
In Fleabag, starred and directed by Phoebe Waller Bridge, alongside Vicky Jones, the cast and crew create a raw, vulnerable performance; with many laughs along the way. Set and costume designer Holly Pigott uses a minimalistic yet effective set to draw more emphasis on Waller Bridge’s performance. The red inner square contrasts the outer white… Read more
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Costuming in TOTC
In our production, The Tale of Two Cities, we used a variety of costuming to distinguish each character. For Declan’s role, where he mocks and parodies political figures, we dressed him in a proper suit, matched with a vibrant Hawaiian shirt for the satirical element and comical effect. For my character’s role, where I play… Read more
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Upcylcing Materials
In our practical class, we learned to upcylce old materials to create new props in a sustainable way. Our group created an abstract dungeon/cage for Orlando’s character. The dungeon almost represents a throne, however is made of gravel, highlighting the inequality Orlando’s character faces and a symbolic juxtaposition to the higher classes. To create the… Read more
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First Tech Run Rehersal
Today, our group had our first tech run, inducing lights, music, and correct props and costumes. I’ve memorised the majority of my lines, however I still need to rehearse my third monologue at home. During the tech run, I needed to look at the script a few times. I also need to work on my… Read more
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Monologue Reflections
April, Declan, and Grace performed a group monologue from multiple excerpts from Frankenstein. In one of the scenes, The Creature (played by April) pleased Victor (played by Declan), to create him another creature he can emotionally connect with and ‘run away with’. The creature expresses feelings of sombre and sadness, yet also feelings of frustration… Read more
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Jane Eyre Performance Response
The 2016 rendition of Jane Eyre, directed by Sally Cookson, explored the story in a ‘new-age’ light, using unique set design and creative direction, along with the talented cast. First published in the 19th century, author Charlotte Bronte had written the story based off many of her own life experiences. Jane Eyre being the story… Read more
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Mime Movement Task
In this class, we researched the origins of Mime movement, and how it is still used and prevalent in modern works today. Mime is a theatrical form used to suggest actions, create characters, and tell stories, all without speaking. Mime focuses on body movement, and the power to convey a character by only using body… Read more
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Malcolm’s Laban Workshop
In this perod we learnt about the histroy of Rudof Laban, a dance artist and theorist from the early 20th century. He was a key person in changing the landscape for choereography in dance and other performing arts. He put a large emphasis on how we move our bodies in context to our character and… Read more
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Monolouge Refections
To create my monolouge, I used Jokanaan’s dialouge from Salome and edited parts to fit it together as one piece. In the play, Jokanaan is in the bottom level of the castle, he is headless and sits inside a water tank. For my rendition of this character, I visualised what would be going inside his… Read more
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Frankenstein – Lighting
In our production of Frankenstein, we’ve used various different lighting techniques to convey the films message and symbolise the key themes about monstrosity and power. Lighting is vital in theatre as it can help emphasise parts of the scene, stress tension or fear, evoke emotions, and deeply enhance a piece of theatre. In the opening… Read more
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Production Role: Lighting & Sound
The Production Role I’ve chosen for our show I See Monsters, is lighting and sound. As I’ve learned, this is an extremely vital part of the productions we perform at our school, and in theatre as a whole. Lighting can evoke emotions, reactions, and emphasise parts, or a whole scene. In I See Monsters, our… Read more
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Mary Shelley: Study
Mary Shelley, born August 1797, was an English author best known for her novel and playwright, Frankenstein. Frankenstein first gained traction when it was entered into a young-writers contest, were novelists had to compete to write the best horror story; and Shelley’s, once published, became immensely successful. People feared Frankenstein because it was often though… Read more
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Rehearsals: Pygmalion & Salome
As we have begun the development stage of our production I See Monsters, we have begun rehearsals for the production. I play Colonel Pickering in Pygmalion, Jokanaan in Salome, and Victor’s father in Frankenstein. In Act 2 of I See Monsters, I particularly have a lot of quick changes, so it’s something I’ll need to… Read more
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Pickering: Character Profile
As we are currently in the Development stage of our production I See Monsters, we have begun to create character profiles for our roles in the production. This helps us get a feel of our character and who we’re playing. Pickering – Role: Henry Higgins’ Sidekick In social situations, Pickering is often a follower. Especially… Read more
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Theatre Studies Retreat
The first day of the retreat was much more theory focused. We first learnt about R.E.M.V.Co.Co, the essential conventions of theatre. This includes rhythm, emphasis, movement, variation, contrast, and cohesion. We then broke into groups to display a tableau using one of the conventions, my group’s convention was ’emphasis’, so for example, we would go… Read more
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Elizabethan Theatre (Class Work)
In the last week, we’ve learnt about Elizabethan theatre and some of the conventions and characteristics that made the era unique. In one class, we learnt about how Elizabethen era turned ‘insulting’ someone into an art, and had to practice it with each other. Along with insulting each other, we focused on famous Shakespearean plays,… Read more
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Charlotte Brontë
Born in Thornton, United Kingdom, in April 1816, Charlotte Brontë is an English poet and novelist, best known for her book’ Jane Eyre’. First published in 1847, the novel’s story has been passed on for decades and in the 1990s, was adapted into a theatrical play. Jane Eyre was originally a gothic story set in… Read more
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Asian Theatre – Chinese
Asian theatre is a group theatrical styles originating across Asia that can be traced back to 1,500 BCE, roughly 1,000 years before Greek theatre established. The earliest Asian theatre can be found in Chinese theatre, which integrated dance, music, and acrobatics, also commonly known as ‘Dance-Drama’. These performances were unique and known for steering away… Read more
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Elizabethan Theatre
Elizabethan Drama is a style of theatre originated in 1550s England, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1. It was originally only recognised as a ‘period’ of theatre, however, as it grew its own unique characteristics and theatre conventions, it is now recognised as a style of theatre itself. Elizabethan Theatre was also known as… Read more
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Greek Theatre
Being one of the first styles of theatre in history, Greek Theatre developed in 6th century BCE. It was created to pass down Greek history and tell their stories in an artistic form. Earliest Greek Theatre focused to honour their God Dionysus, the son of Zeus. He was the God of wine, fertility, and revelry.… Read more
Taylor's Document Diary - VCE Theatre Studies 2020 