Lesson Nine 25th November

In this session we looked over the work of formations
 and went over our formation gestures. We looked over the 'Island' gestures again adding water and air. In groups we worked on a balancing movement and sang over the 'Island song'.
We then went over the 'Stamping' piece with the 'I.E.' harmony. We worked some more on the coming of age dance and the chorus repeated the lines that David spoke to the audience. We also went over the mannequin sequence, as Matt was not present when we originally went through it, how ever Alona was missing for her movement.

Lesson Eight 18th November

We started the session with some body massages and then went into pairs work.
In pairs we were focusing on the body movement, especially the spinal column, where we had to respond to the actions of are pair. This then moved into holding are pairs backwards which resulted in Lindsey and I falling over. After this I worked with Gaby on action work where we had to respond to impulses created by our pair.
We worked on a scene involving mannequins using Aleksi's gestures for his 'Kagda Molod’ piece.
The scene stars with Marin as the girl walking on and siting down on the floor, after 2 bars the mannequins walk on and stop went Marin looks at then. She goes over a touches Alona but nothing happens. Marin returns to her seat but then Alona moves resulting in all the mannequins looking at Marin, She notices that we have moved but Aleksi appears so she hides pretending to be a mannequin. Aleksi moves Lindsey into position and when his back is turned we all move into position. Aleksi then conducts us in 'Kagda Molod’.
 We then wen over the Card scene with the song 'Gilong Gilong' sung by the women and the Men playing cards.
At the end of the scene we lifted Marin up in the air.
I enjoyed learning about the spinal movement although I was a bit shaken after falling over.

Lesson Six 4th November

In this session we worked more on pairs work and threes work.
We expanded on the pelvis movement and looked at body connection.
First I worked with David on the movement, as well as a jumping supported movement, and then in a three with Heather and Lindsey.
Within the three we worked on a balancing position where one person was on the back of another and supported by the third person.
We then went back into are original pairings and continued to add movements to the paired work which was lead by Aleksi and Marin.
After this we practice the 'Coming of Age Dance' lead by Gaby and we added harmonies.
I found I was quite nervous in this session about putting my trust into another person but I tried to relax enough to do the movements safely and correctly.

Lesson Five 21st October

In this session we worked on the areas of personal interest.
I worked with Heather and Lindsey on formations looking a gestures associated with the Tudor Court.
We based are idea off the 'Island' gestures and had movements such as lady, rose, music and coronation.
After this we looked at everyone's ideas. Gaby started with the 'Coming of Age Dance' with David's 'Tiger's Bride' text. We then went through Lindsey, Heather and I's gestures with emphasis put on how to say the words and high lighted the need for a formation. Midori and Rory looked at paired gestures and Marin looked at laughter. Aleksi leaded 'Kagda Molod’ and Matt and Phil lead a rhythmic piece.
I found this session very interesting as we all got to see everyone's ideas.

Lesson Four 14th October

In this session we worked in pairs on support and movement through the pelvis area.
We practiced this movement in a circle gradually changing partners within the group.
More areas of movement were added to tie in the lift pairs work.
We discussed our personal interests in a circle before changing rooms.
In the new room we went through 'Kagda Molod’ with harmonies and then went through the movement again.
I think 'Kagda Molod' is a beautiful song and I enjoyed the harmony.

Lesson Ten 2nd December

We started the session by looking over props and working with texts from the 'Tiger's Bride' by Angela Carter. David choose the lines 'My farther lost me to the beast at cards, I licked the drops off my beautiful fur.' We then started with a vocal warm up which helped with expanded range. We went into the line from the 'Tiger's Bride'. Then we practiced the songs 'Gilong Gilong' as well as 'Cool Pools of Thought'. We practiced the 'Stomping piece' and then after the break we began a run through.
I found the session fun today but focused as well.

Lesson Seven 11th November

We had a strange room change and the Stripe room had water on the floor as it had been raining for the majority of that week.
We started the session with a discussion of are performance. We then started work on a scene of cards involving rhythm and sound.
We then ran through 'Gilong Gilong' before moving to the Dance studio which was far to warm.
We went through the 'Coming of Age Dance' with added harmonies. We also added Heather, Lindsey and I's triangle formation although we were not to sure what the do within this formation and the heat was getting to everyone.
I struggled in this lecture due to the weather and the humidity of the final room although we all seemed to try are best to keep are energy up.

Lesson Three 7th October

In this session we had Anna's college George guest-lecture are class.
We started with some warm-ups in are body and then some vocal warm-ups where we used interactive breathe and practiced keeping the same tone through each others breath.
We did some work on jaw tension.
George introduced us to 'Cool Pools Of Thought' and 'Here Streams Run Deep'.
 After we moved rooms George thought us the 'Coming of Age Dance'.
I enjoyed this session as I found 'Cool Pools of Thought' interesting however the 'Coming of Age Dance' was hard for me to pick up.

Lesson two 30th September

In this session we stared with the Greek breathing gestures which lead into group gesture work. The gestures included holding hands, one arm up to create a line and a V-shape to create two lines.
Are lecturer Anna then added worded gestures such as love, speak and island.
We then worked with these gestures and sounds creating a piece of theatre.
We then continued to work on Gilong Gilong.
I loved the gesture work as it got everyone to communicate with each other but I found the Greek breathing difficult to pick up straight away.

Lesson One September 23rd

At the start of the lesson we had a drama circle, where we voiced are names, and we started the clapping exercise with incorporated sounds.
Then we walked around the room with a pulse, passing energy to everyone in the group, eventually moving in smaller groups and then everyone again.
Then we did some blindfolded pairs work where we were guided around the room by are blindfolded partner. This lead to us being individually blindfolded and guided around the room by everyone in the group.
We then worked in pairs on the first lift and movement.
After this we learnt Gilong Gilong.
I really enjoyed this session even though I was a little unsure. My main weaknesses were the lift and keeping my arms tense.