This is the video of my presentation and proposal:
'Rocky Horror show' - Unit 8 Audition
Today in our project workshop lessons we had auditions for our upcoming production of 'Rocky Horror Show', I auditioned with the part of Frank 'n' Furter in mind. We had to prepare a monologue and a song; I prepared a monologue called 'Mind Trick' from the play 'Mind Trick' and 'Don't Rain on my Parade' from the musical 'Funny Girl'. I rehearsed the pieces over the weekend and learnt my monologue as I hadn't studied it before, however I have been signing the song for years, so I felt confident with it. We had to give feedback to other class mates auditions and give them one positive comment, one piece of constructive criticism and say which role in the show we think would be best suited for them. After performing my song and then my monologue I looked at the feedback my classmates had given me.
Feedback for my song:
WWW:
- good projection
- good characterisation
- good at sustaining long notes
- strong vocals
- good diction
- presented confidently
EBI:
- try not to sway whilst singing
- connect with lyrics more
Feedback for my monologue:
WWW:
- connected with the audience well and made them feel apart of the monologue
- good characterisation
- good pace and timing
- good diction and pronunciation
- confident in delivery
EBI:
- needs to flow more
- have more still moments
- more eye contact
- have meaning behind behind the words
This is the video of my audition:
My personal feedback:
In my opinion my audition was successful and I think I cam across confident and well prepared. I picked high energy, challenging song and a contrasting monologue. I think during both my song and my monologue i had good diction, projection and characterisation. But next time I would like to move around more during my song and monologue, so that I use the space better. I think my acting and signing are both strong and that I would be a good fit for the part I auditioned for. I also think i prepared myself well for the audition and was open to any critical feedback my class mates had to offer.
Written Proposal
Section 1:
At the beginning of the course my skills involved singing, dancing and acting. However, I mostly felt confident in my singing and acting abilities, especially when performing in front of an audience. Initially, my dance skills were not technically impressive but I had been trained in many styles of dance; jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary and hip hop. My jazz technique was my most developed out of my dance styles, and I knew I needed to work on my ballet technique, as the fluidity of my movement and placement of positions wasn’t at the standard I wanted it to be.
Since starting the course I have gained new skills and improved my existing ones:
In acting I feel a lot more comfortable with improvising and performing in front of my class mates under pressure, as well as getting better at taking on corrections. In term 2 we had to pick a monologue of our own personal choice, learn it and perform it to the class. I was given verbal feedback both from my teacher and my class mates, I was able to perform the monologue a second time, to a higher standard and take on the corrections I was given. Furthermore, I was also confident and able to add in some improvised stage movement into the monologue, which previously I would have been nervous to do. This has been beneficial as my confidence and understanding of corrections has improved and this is something I can carry forward for auditions and further training.
My singing technique and confidence had definitely improved over the last terms. In our singing BTec certificate class, we had to perform a 20 minute solo set with varied genres of entertaining songs. Personally, I used to find performing in front of my class mates/ people I know a really daunting and stressful experience, but since doing the recital my ability to stand on a stage in front of people I know has improved enough that I now feel capable of taking on a lead role in a production. As well as this my singing technique has vastly improved through our weekly singing lessons, where we work on specific vocal techniques to improve our vocal abilities. One exercise I have found particularly beneficial is ‘Bella Mama’, this exercise over time has increased my range and breath control/ use of breath. This has been great for not only inside of college but also outside of college singing events.
Dance was my skill that I felt was my weakest in the beginning, especially my ballet technique. Over the past few terms,
Section 2:
For Unit 8, I want to develop my technical backstage skills as well as my performance skills. We are putting on a production of Rocky Horror. I auditioned for the part of Frank and I got the part. I will be working to play this role in the best and most convincing way I can. I will also be working on the makeup team during this project. I am already experienced in working with makeup, especially drag and performance makeup, so this means that the makeup in the show will be executed to a high standard. The version of Rocky Horror we are doing will be similar to the original production but slightly shorter and more age appropriate. Playing a character like Frank and making him more PG will be difficult but is a challenge I am keen to take on. I will work on my characterisation and choreography to portray Frank in my own unique way. I am going to watch the film and stage version of Rocky horror as well as study the themes and context surrounding the show, to give me a better idea of how to play my character and also a better understanding of the show as a whole. Furthermore, this will provide me with inspiration and ideas for: set, props, SFX, costume and makeup for the final production.
Section 3
As the project develops and after each rehearsal I will record the progress and content we create in detailed evaluative logs. I will keep note of my targets and improvements after each session so that I know what I need to work on for our next rehearsal.
Unit 8 performance introduction
Rocky Horror was written by Richard O’Brien. The production is a parody of 60s B Movies and is intended to mock the science fiction style story lines and over the top characters. O’ Brown had written one song for the initial idea of Rocky Horror, he performed the one song and received great feedback, from here he expanded the show and story line creating complex characters, inspired by B Movie characters and the LGBT movement at the time. Richard O’Brien met his ideal Frank ‘n’ Furter while working on a production of the musical ‘Hair’. Tim Curry was an actor who had been apart of the RAC and many theatre productions, so O’Brien trusted him to take on the exhausting and physically demanding role of Frank. The show had its West End debut on 19th June 1973 at The Royal Court Upstairs in London. The theatre was used as an experimental space and was home to new productions that the director wanted to test and monitor audience reaction, to then decide whether the show should be taken further. The theatre held 60 seats in total so only played to small crowds. From the success here the show then went to the Classic Cinema in Chelsea, which was a closed down cinema refurbished into a theatre. From here the show went to Kings Road theatre for 6-7 months. The show was a hit in the UK with sold out performances and a fan base growing for the show.
Lou Adler, the producer, saw the show in London and took the show to LA. It was decided that the show would be equally as popular in the United States so in 1971 Rocky Horror was taken to the Roxy Theatre, which was originally a strip/ cabaret club, now turned into a small theatre. The venues style fitted the sexualised nature of Rocky Horror. However the musical didn’t do as well in the US. When the show left for LA, the London production stopped as many cast members travelled with the show. The production played in London for a total of 7 years with Tim Curry playing Frank in all productions. From the success of the stage show and the revival of rock music in the 70s in 1975 the film version was made: directed by Jim Sharman and produced by Lou Adler. The film was a huge success in the UK and still today has fan screenings in cinemas all over the country where fans dress up as the characters and sing along to their favourite songs in the show. The film and musical had and still have a cult following and attracted audiences from the LGBT community, as well as young people and adults who could appreciate the humour. Tim curry in the film focussed mainly on making Frank more evil than he did on stage, as well as having to remember to play to the camera; this was a challenge for him as he had never done film before.
The original cast on West end: Tim Curry, Patricia Quinn, Richard O’Brien, Nell Campbell, Julie Covington, Christopher Malcom, Rayner Bourton, Johnathan Addams.
The original film cast: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O’Brien, Nell Campbell, Patricia Quinn and Peter Hinwood.
My character
The character I have been cast in is Frank N Furter. Frank is a ‘Sweet Transvestite’ alien from the plant ‘Tran sexual’ in the galaxy of ‘Transylvania’. He appears and encourages innocent Brad and Janet up to his Lab, where he shows them the new born Rocky Horror. He schemes to influence Brad and Janet for the worse. Frank is an evil, powerful and sexual creature with one clear motive; to be obeyed by all.
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| TIM CURRY AS FRANK N FURTER |
Planning timeline
Each week I am going to be noting down what I need to do in order to progress further. I will carry out independent research and rehearsal' as well as group rehearsal.
WEEK 1
- Carry out basic research about Rocky horror and the cast of both film and stage
- Research my character and who has played him
WEEK 2
- Learn my lines and cues
WEEK 3
- Work on beginning to devise choreography for 'Make You A Man'
- Watch film and stage production to get ideas for choreography and characterisation
WEEK 4
- Work on opening scene of Act 2, both scenes need to sound exactly the same
WEEK 5
- Learn my solo song at the end of the show: 'I'm Going Home'
- Work on finding a suitable key to sing 'Sweet Transvestite'
WEEK 6
- Look over the script and come up withe more creative ways to enter the stage to make the audience look at me/ make my entrance more obvious.
WEEK 7
- Learn my lines for the final death scene.
WEEK 8
- Watch videos and carry our research regarding hair makeup and costume, so I know exactly what I am going to look like for the final performance.
WEEK 9
- I need to work on staying in character whilst signing and not necessarily doing anything on stage (stand in front of a mirror and practise this.
WEEK 10
- This week I need to work on preparing for the final performance and preparing myself to have to change/ adapt myself when performing in the space. I need to go through the script annotate parts where problems may arise.
WEEK 11
- Collect any final costume pieces and run through songs at home so I am prepared for the final performance.
LINKS AND BIBLIOGRAPHY TO INFORMATIONEach week I am going to be noting down what I need to do in order to progress further. I will carry out independent research and rehearsal' as well as group rehearsal.
WEEK 1
- Carry out basic research about Rocky horror and the cast of both film and stage
- Research my character and who has played him
WEEK 2
- Learn my lines and cues
WEEK 3
- Work on beginning to devise choreography for 'Make You A Man'
- Watch film and stage production to get ideas for choreography and characterisation
WEEK 4
- Work on opening scene of Act 2, both scenes need to sound exactly the same
WEEK 5
- Learn my solo song at the end of the show: 'I'm Going Home'
- Work on finding a suitable key to sing 'Sweet Transvestite'
WEEK 6
- Look over the script and come up withe more creative ways to enter the stage to make the audience look at me/ make my entrance more obvious.
WEEK 7
- Learn my lines for the final death scene.
WEEK 8
- Watch videos and carry our research regarding hair makeup and costume, so I know exactly what I am going to look like for the final performance.
WEEK 9
- I need to work on staying in character whilst signing and not necessarily doing anything on stage (stand in front of a mirror and practise this.
WEEK 10
- This week I need to work on preparing for the final performance and preparing myself to have to change/ adapt myself when performing in the space. I need to go through the script annotate parts where problems may arise.
WEEK 11
- Collect any final costume pieces and run through songs at home so I am prepared for the final performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5sTIGLo79g&has_verified=1
TIM CURRY TALKS ABOUT THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW 1975
http://www.rockyhorror.com/history/timeline.php
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