In our solo performance workshop, we were set a task based on a technique Anna Deavere Smith uses. The task consisted of three hats placed on the floor in front of our self’s. Each hat represents a different character or person that you know. When you would put these hats on, you would become that character/person of your choice. Many class members decided to use people that they had already knew. My idea was to use 3 people that i know however when portraying them fabricate and exaggerate specific details and situations.
My first person was a “university friend of mine”
A girl friend of mine who encourages me to go out, have fun, get with guys. Only if i want to though. I’m only at university once right?
No thanks, that’s not me at all. I would rather keep myself to myself. I prefer to go out and have fun with my friends. I’m not the type to go out looking for guys. That lifestyle ain’t for me. Everyone is different, i don’t judge. While I’m at uni, i ain’t interested in guys, unless i actually meet someone who i genuinely end up liking.
My second person was my “Grandma” (Yiayia) – in Greek.
Oh my god. I love her but my god she is a moaner. Constantly on my case to find a nice boyfriend from a nice her, preferably Greek.
Brilliant.
“Natasha when you are going to find yourself a nice boyfriend from a nice family home.”
“Yiayia seriously, I’m only 21 give me a break.”
“But look at your cousins”
“How old are they and how old am i?”
So you get the idea, that,s my yiayia. I love her, she,s great. But can be bloody annoying.
My third person “A couple of idiots I’ve met in my time merged into one person”
Hood ghetto boys who don’t know how to speak to a girl. The type of guy who tells you he is a different and a one woman guy but is definitely not. There chat up lines are awful.
“Yo B.. Come see me” – Ergh no thanks. Who’s coming to see who at 3am, not me mate. 3am is bed time, where is this guy at normal times.
“Looking spicy” – Yikes, what am i a piece of food. Learn how to talk properly please.
“Bruv why you being like that” – Excuses me, this guy needs to learn how to talk properly. Bruv, i don’t think so. I ain’t one of his guys.
“I’m different.. i’m not like the wrest. So uno, when we going to?” – Seriously. Just stop right there.
Who’s got time for boys like that? Definitely not me. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes a bit of cheekiness and attitude is good. But certainly not like that. I like my guy to have a nice balance and be educated. Not someone who wants to meet me at 3am in the morning in McDonald’s car park. No thanks.
The Exercise
The exercise was quite nerve racking to do as it is merely based on improvising and you’ve just got to go with it. Not knowing how the audience is going to take it, made me feel even more nervous. Nevertheless getting up and doing my 5 minute solo performance in front of the class was liberating for myself. As the thought of getting up and doing something on my own does scare me, in case its not liked. However what i did learn, was getting up and doing it gave me more more confidence and it gradually built the longer I was up performing. If your up there worrying about what people think then the audience are more likely to notice your fears. Therefore if your up there, not enjoying what you are doing, then again the audience and more likely to not enjoy it. What i have learnt is to believe in myself and just go for it and to be honest i really enjoyed it. I was looking forward to watching the other class members do there’s. I was really pleased, as my class member’s told me my solo performance was really enjoyable and comedic. I was not aiming for laughs but I got some naturally which was terrific. The module is gradually helping me gain my confidence to perform solo and to believe in myself. Yes, doing a group performance you can rely on each other, however doing a solo performance its all down to the individual and it is a chance for your own individual ideas to be heard and shown.
