Extra Article - Listen to Poetry

Poetry Out Loud: Listen to Poetry

http://www.poetryoutloud.org/poems-and-performance/listen-to-poetry

Extra Article - Jo Estill and the Singing Voice

http://thesingingvoice.com/about/vocal-technique/jo-estill

Reading Response: The Second Circle - Voice

I really like the section at the beginning of this chapter that describes the voice we strive for as "direct, clear, free, and connected to us." However, it goes on to discuss of the tension in our bodies and habits we develop over the years can keep us from our Second Circle voice, which according to the text, "sounds as you really mean to sound." I thought the idea that the Second Circle voice sounds how we intend to sound was really interesting. It reminded me of when you first get a script or scene and some lines don't feel entirely natural coming out of your mouth yet, at least in my experience. Discovering how to speak the text naturally is part of connecting to your Second Circle voice. The text also discusses the commonplace exchange of "how are you?" and states, "This simple but important exchange is universal in all families and workplaces, but it is not effective unless you are speaking and responding in Second Circle voice." Often times, it seems we fall into the trap of the automatic response "I'm good" when anyone asks how we are. An automatic, disconnected response like this prevents us from having any sort of real Second Circle communication. I had an acting teacher once that challenged us to look whoever was asking us "how are you?" directly in the eye and respond truthfully, whether we were doing well or not. Because people are so used to the stereotypical "I'm good," this type of honesty often comes as a surprise. However, if you let yourself communicate honestly like that, then ask how they are in return, the person will be more likely to also respond in an honest way, which fosters truthful, Second Circle communication where both parties care what the other is saying. In considering whether I have a first, second, or third circle voice, I find that I lean more towards third circle, because I sometimes find my head jutting forward when I speak and I tend to push my voice. Sometimes I find people tuning me out and I will continue to talk to try to get their attention to no avail, in a controlling Third Circle manner. In looking through the exercises and suggestions to place you in Second Circle voice, I really liked the idea of imagining you are speaking to a good friend who is supportive of you and on your side in order to create movement, color, and relaxation in your voice.

Extra Article: Tongue Twisters (for articulation warm ups!)

http://www.bbbpress.com/2013/02/drama-games-tongue-twisters-the-ultimate-list/

"Mushrooms" by Sylvia Plath Rehearsal Video

I didn't really warm up before rehearsing my poem, since we had class that morning, but I can see a definite shift just from being out of class for a few hours. I don't think my voice sounded as free as it does when I am in class and fully warmed up, and at the end of some sentences, I could hear some vocal fry creeping in. I find it a lot easier to connect to the piece when there is a give and take of energy with other people in the room, like when we present our poems in class. In this case, I was speaking to a wall and definitely didn't feel as present as I have before. Like we've talked about in class, I think I can continue to slow down the beginning of the poem and build the energy and pace as it goes. There are a few times in this video where I notice I kind of rushed into one line from another. Gesturing naturally isn't normally an issue for me, but I think because I wasn't as present as I have been, I was more aware of my movements and they weren't as natural as normal. Finally, I think I broke the moment at the end of the poem too soon and should've held it longer for a stronger conclusion.

Extra Article - Patsy Rodenberg

The Second Circle - Breath

This segment of The Second Circle discusses breath, and one of the first sentences is: "It is the first act you perform and the last." Something about that really hit me, and made me consider how important our breath really is for it to be both the first and last thing we do in this life. The text goes on to describe, "On exhalation, you send what is inside you out into the world, and in doing so you touch and change the world with your breath." As actors, our whole goal is to touch and change others with our work, and we are unable to do so without breath. In order to become a great actor, we must learn to use our breath to its fullest potential. There is a set of questions for the reader to consider, and my responses include that when I breath I feel movement in my stomach and nose, I regularly find myself holding my breath in ballet class, I can often hear my breath, and, as someone who struggles with anxiety, I am often aware of my breath in trying to calm myself down. I didn't answer yes to any of the questions that signify a first circle breather, and I only answered yes to one for third circle, which is that I hear my breath as I draw it in, and on exhalation, force it out. Based on the subsequent sections, it seems I fluctuate between first and third, but it is unusual for me to strongly display the qualities of one or the other. I feel as though I am often slightly in first, or slightly in third breath-wise. I absolutely loved the section where she said, "Don't be frightened of tears. It is all right to cry, and when you do feel your full breath power, you have the right to that power." When I played Juliet this summer, I spent the majority of the second act in tears. I hadn't studied Second Circle then, but I have never felt so fully connected to myself, my character, my cast, and the audience. I wonder now if being so emotionally present forced me into Second Circle and the emotion and tears helped me connect to my breath and my voice, even though I didn't consciously know I was doing so then. After reading this article, I want to set a goal for myself to spend more time in nature and notice how it effects my breath.