Linora Low » performing

Post Platform Evaluation

Linora Low — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:14:02 +0000

As some of you may know. I was at KLPac just now to perform for . [singlepic=21,450,,,center] [singlepic=20,450,,,center] I was in two short skits () one called Stuck by Glamorique and another called Red:A modern Day Fairytale by Calvin Wong. The thing with tonight…I was totally taken aback when i found out, that there were to be only two performances. See it’s suppose to be whoever that has a script they send it in for the month and perform it for people to see. But it’s quite sad that the people sending in scripts was so little. In the end it was only two performances…which was not knew to me, but had me both in them. On one hand i felt terrible because, it made me feel like such a stage hogger. But on another, I liked seeing it as a ‘platform’ where I could test myself and see has there been any differences since taking on Joe’s class. I will say that the classes have given me tools in order to figure out how to create a character and perform it better on stage. But as for my confidence…. oooo I need to buck up. :sniff: The night started off rather interesting with Glam’s campy comedy piece on the two Siamese Twins of different sexes, where I played the Talk show host who was so full of herself, Cherilyn Su. I’ll be evaluating myself here and I will say that I did not play her to my best abilities as I know I could have. Problem was I think the nervousness of being in two plays and the paranoia that both might have been bad, must’ve gotten to me. So yes I admit to pre-performance anxiety. But where I maybe had not done fantastically, the main characters of the show Valerie and Glam were great ^_^ . Their punchlines were on the dot and Glam played his character as the over the top transexual male twin funnily. Hahaha As for Red, despite the fact that we had set the setting of the piece in New York… It was quite funny that we had gamelan music playing in the background, which was completely off as the crowd was distracted for a bit. I am happy though that what was performed turned out slightly better than what i had thought, though I was not expecting people to laugh cause it’s not meant to be a funny piece! However i suppose the reason for the laugh is because, Marvin and I managed to play the truth of our characters. Even if his cab driver character was a psychopath, with bad intentions and wanted to kill my character, Carmen. Overall I think it was a nice run, but if i ever got to perform it again, I think with more rehearsals it could be massively improved. And thanks a lot to Calvin Wong for writing the script So in conclusion, on my performance, I’m partially happy cause I know I can do better. I’m happy at the fact that during rehearsals there was a lot of thought put out for building the different characters for both pieces. Though I shall admit that i had put more thought into my character Carmen in Red because while it’s a simple piece of a girl riding in a cab. There was a lot going on with her. She’s new in a city filled with possible nutcases, yet she still thinks that everyone is like in her town in Maine, that is all happy and talkative. As for the acting as the talkshow host, I gave it as best as I could for just now. I had practiced as much as possible, but I believe it could’ve been better. That’s ok, it’s a learning process and that was a great one, putting theory and practical stuff from class into practice. What I just need on my end next time, is to be calm, take a moment and prepare myself way more. Since I know I need more time to get into a character, rather than just pop..whee I’m in character. DOesn’t work that way. But the night was a fun one ^_^ and I got to take pics. Heheh. I was very appreciative that Collin Kirton, Joanna Bessey and Chris Ling were in the crowd. Although i will say pressure was felt haha. Hey when you have veterans/directors of the art in the crowd, you better do well. [singlepic=22,450,,,center]

Platform Rehearsals

Linora Low — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:15:13 +0000

This week has been rather busy for me and yesterday was probably the whole chunk of my busy cake. Next Monday, me, Marvin, Glamorique and Valeria will be performing at KLPAC on The Platform. For some of you who may not remember let me refresh thy memories. The Platform is an open mic gig that is happening through the whole year at KLPAC once a month on the first Monday at 8.30pm. You can send in anything you like as long as it’s an original script that has never been performed before. It’s a great opportunity to just show case any work that you think that has potential or if you’d like feedback. You can read more on the details . It has been a hectic schedule of work in the morning and then moving on to rehearsals in the afternoon or the evening. I was pretty beat and I still am actually. But I’m really really glad, for once I didn’t have to go driving all the way to some far off place to rehearse, so Glam and Val thank you!!! I’ll be performing two skits. Both entirely different in genre and character.. phew. Imagine.. yesterday first at work i’m acting as myself. Then rushed back home to get into character as a divaish over the top prima donna talk host and break for a moment to get into the character of a naive girl from the country side. Aiii my brain was on fire, but just goes to show important the act in Joe’s class is. So yeah for those who you can make it on Monday do come and watch the ridiculousness of the show. I’ll do my best to put on a good show for ya ^_P No pressure lol.

Getting Up To Perform

Linora Low — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:44:29 +0000

For the past few months, I’ve been dabbling a lot with the performing arts, gaining exposure and experience in auditions, as well as attending performing classes. Originally I wanted to put up a week to week basis of what I learn in each class of Joe Hasham’s a Acting For Beginners. But I won’t for first of I do not have their permission to put up what has been giving in the classes and secondly to protect the integrity and confidentiality of things that are only made available to the students. That said though, I will share with those out there who want to come and join the performing arts scene here in KL. First off I don’t know it all and not going to claim that I am even credible that you have to listen to what I’m about to explain, because I am only STARTing out. All I am doing is purely, sharing what I have gone through so that you yourself will know that you aren’t alone in this terrible fight of trying to go ahead with drama, theater, acting, performing – however you want to call it – the artsy stuff. 5 most logical and best things you can do for yourself if you want to try to get into the scene:

Go for classes Head on to places like the Footstool Players, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center (KLPAC) or The Oral Stage (TOS) to get yourself some basic drama classes. Just to wet your feet into acting or performing to see whether it is to your liking.
Audition, audition, audition! After a thought, I don’t think one can ever have to many auditions or too many castings. If anything at all, in the words of one of my friends, auditioning is also an art. What I love about auditions, you learn many new things not just about yourself but also how to improve on your technique and overall well being. What I hate, the fact that criticisms are hard to take and worse still when you are either rejected or left hanging from an audition. Meaning you don’t hear from the audition panel at all. Ah well.. take it as a good thing and learn.
Read and Prepare No harm too in doing some of this. As much as it is great to go in tons of auditions, keep yourself well read and prepared. Know what you are auditioning for. Prepare for the roles you might play, read up on the story that you are to audition for, warm up your vocal chords and body, to get yourself ready for anything spontaneous
Network The beauty of PR. Network yourself as much as possible. You just never know when you may meet some people whom share the same interests and beliefs as you in the art. Meaning that they would be hopefully just as focused and disciplined as you to get the job of putting on a good show. Which is the essential thing to make something fun and enjoyable. Besides they could be your best bet to actually knowing what, where and when to audition for something new. Also it’s great encouragement to know you aren’t alone in this field of work.
Root Yourself Focus. Focus is key to what it is you want to achieve when you are performing. Don’t have your eyes wandering all about, stop fidgeting, stop zoning out of character. Be very specific in your movements and wants for your character. Don’t have that, you’ll just pretty much throw everything away. Nothing sucks more than you not giving all you have for a performance. You would walk away feeling disappointed.

By the way I’d also recommend watching this. Out of many videos, I found this most helpful in terms of how to get at least a start in this path.