What makes a good performer??

After having a conversation with Paula via Skype we ended up exploring a lot of different topics. But one that got me going was performance!

What makes someone stand out on stage?
What draws you in?
What makes them so good?
Who is my favourite artist and why?

In cast change on the ship I am currently on I watched the shows for a month while learning them. One girl stood out every time I watched. I tried to watch other people but she had such stage presence I couldn't take my eyes from her. She trained at Elmhurst from the age of 11.........is this why??

Please comment and leave your answers and ideas.

Blogging slowly in the Bahamas!

Module 2 - 4a

After all the preparation there are still so many questions that I have, that could lead me for my inquiry but I am finding it difficult to know which route to take. I think this is because I want my inquiry to benefit my future career, as I am sure that all of us BAPP students intend too. The problem is I really don’t know where my future lies. I am currently on a cruise ship and only have just over two months. I also intend this to be my last contract with Carnival, as I want to start auditioning and try my career on land.

The reason I am doing this course is because I would like to eventually teach in schools, dance colleges and the original dance school where I trained , this course was a great starting point. But before I do that I want to keep auditioning, the more experience I have the better teacher I will be? (note the question mark!)

Below I have blogged my ideas and work I have done so far and would be very grateful for any feedback or ideas.

Please see a spider diagram that consists of topics that interest me. Appendix A

I found that the questions I asked were too general and open. I’ve narrowed down the questions and also managed to merge some together to form one question relating to areas that I felt were appropriate for my inquiry.

Is how you look essential to have a career with in the dance industry?

This question would cover a lot of questions on my spider diagram. From having a healthy eating regime and workout plan to wearing the right thing to auditions. I am a qualified ETM instructor and I am very interested in becoming a personal trainer that specialises in dance. It would give me something to focus on while in between jobs.

Could I have been better prepared for: Dance College

                                    Auditions

                                                               A professional Career

I would have to pick on of the three options. Dance college - I think this question would benefit me personally as a performer but also in the long run when I decide to teach. I feel personally that I was let down by my training as a child and there are a lot of things that I would have changed about my training from the age of 5-18.

Is there anyway I can prepare myself for the “unemployment stage?”

I really enjoy reading self help books and can see how they can benefit anyone, not necessarily performers. Maybe I could create some sort of helpful guide for performers that go through a dry spout in their career.

 Appendix A

When slowly up loading this blog due to slow connection in the Bahamas I have managed to look at a few linked in websites and also Facebook groups that have been created by previous students. That will be the next thing on my list to do when I get Wifi.

I look forward to your feedback.