Cha Cha Digregorio - Born To Hand Jive
The school play this year is a GREASE production, and as I am participating in it, Ms. Pratt and I agreed that my job in the play would be enhanced if it became a CAS project. Giving me more self motivation and more time to spend in it.
The name of my character is Cha Cha DiGregorio, an amazing dancer, who in this production has main rock coreografies, including one where she wins the dancing contest together with another character Danny Zuko (Simon Decklerck).
These were the main influences and reasons I had to creat this project.
WHAT – I am going to create the entire coreography of the dancing contest, for the school play.
WHEN – This will be done mainly saturdays were the rehearsal is longer, but it will also include lunch times to go over specific points.
I plan on having the final piece before the school break (September 30), so that after the break we can fix up final touches for the actual presentation in November 9th
WHERE – All of it will be done at school, mainly in the auditorium.
WHO – Simon (my partner), Ms. Pratt (supervisor), Ms. Ucci (play coreographer) and Guilherme Soares (classmate). The plan is that Guilherme will help me create and develop the moves while Simon is away working on the specifics of acting. I chose him because he has expirience with dances in couples and for his amazing support.
HOW – The moves will be decided through some research (looking at videos and analyzing specific moves). And, of course, by constant consultation of Ms. Ucci and Ms. Pratt. Every thing we create will be recorded, so that nothing is ever forgot. Simon needs to always be aware of all the changes and additionals every time I meet with Guilherme.
I am all set for a very successful project.
The name of my character is Cha Cha DiGregorio, an amazing dancer, who in this production has main rock coreografies, including one where she wins the dancing contest together with another character Danny Zuko (Simon Decklerck).
These were the main influences and reasons I had to creat this project.
WHAT – I am going to create the entire coreography of the dancing contest, for the school play.
WHEN – This will be done mainly saturdays were the rehearsal is longer, but it will also include lunch times to go over specific points.
I plan on having the final piece before the school break (September 30), so that after the break we can fix up final touches for the actual presentation in November 9th
WHERE – All of it will be done at school, mainly in the auditorium.
WHO – Simon (my partner), Ms. Pratt (supervisor), Ms. Ucci (play coreographer) and Guilherme Soares (classmate). The plan is that Guilherme will help me create and develop the moves while Simon is away working on the specifics of acting. I chose him because he has expirience with dances in couples and for his amazing support.
HOW – The moves will be decided through some research (looking at videos and analyzing specific moves). And, of course, by constant consultation of Ms. Ucci and Ms. Pratt. Every thing we create will be recorded, so that nothing is ever forgot. Simon needs to always be aware of all the changes and additionals every time I meet with Guilherme.
I am all set for a very successful project.
VIDEO
Here is the most known coreography done with the song we are going to sing. Have a look!!
Day 1 - 15.09.12
Today was the first day I actually got together with Simon and I was able to get a taste of how hard it would be to come up with moves that would suit both the music and his dancing abilities.
I have already come up with a simple shape of the choreography with Guilherme, although his dancing style differs a lot from what Simon is able to present. I realized when we got to perform the entire School Dance scene on stage that the choreography would have to be adapted to the space, as they would just not fit with all the cast and dancers on stage.
We went through with the scene twice, the 1st I danced with Guilherme, we did not have the space I imagined therefore I had to come up and improvise more compact versions of the moves.
The second time I went off with Simon, during the dancing scene, I was teaching him the basic steps, and did not try anything risky.
After the scene was over and we had a break in the gym I tried to teach him what I came with Guilherme, I confess it did not work very well and I was feeling quite unsure if it would actually work. He seemed very serious about it and trying hard and that gave me motivation not give up on him.
I have already come up with a simple shape of the choreography with Guilherme, although his dancing style differs a lot from what Simon is able to present. I realized when we got to perform the entire School Dance scene on stage that the choreography would have to be adapted to the space, as they would just not fit with all the cast and dancers on stage.
We went through with the scene twice, the 1st I danced with Guilherme, we did not have the space I imagined therefore I had to come up and improvise more compact versions of the moves.
The second time I went off with Simon, during the dancing scene, I was teaching him the basic steps, and did not try anything risky.
After the scene was over and we had a break in the gym I tried to teach him what I came with Guilherme, I confess it did not work very well and I was feeling quite unsure if it would actually work. He seemed very serious about it and trying hard and that gave me motivation not give up on him.
Day 2 - 22.09.12
This Saturday rehearsal was so much better, in terms of things we managed to be done, I did not run through the scene with Guilherme, it was all done with Simon as my partner. Luckily he remembered the basic steps for rock and his ‘hand jive’ had improved a lot!
I had a feeling that he was been practicing, during the scene and every with very brief breaks, we would quickly go over a certain step and create some new ones, like the move that I jump on him and he would spin me around. Just ¾ of the original choreography planned with Guilherme was there. The tendency if things continue as they are going is for us to keep inventing new moves and enhancing our performance.
I was positively surprised with the fact that he was actively listening to what I was saying and following closely what I was recommending. This happened especially with the final pose, as it is a slightly complex one. [PICTURE]
We would constantly fall and loose balance during the move leading the final pose, which lead to a series of improvisation moves, to prevent a disaster like that to happen on the day of the presentation.
I had a feeling that he was been practicing, during the scene and every with very brief breaks, we would quickly go over a certain step and create some new ones, like the move that I jump on him and he would spin me around. Just ¾ of the original choreography planned with Guilherme was there. The tendency if things continue as they are going is for us to keep inventing new moves and enhancing our performance.
I was positively surprised with the fact that he was actively listening to what I was saying and following closely what I was recommending. This happened especially with the final pose, as it is a slightly complex one. [PICTURE]
We would constantly fall and loose balance during the move leading the final pose, which lead to a series of improvisation moves, to prevent a disaster like that to happen on the day of the presentation.
DAY 3 - 29.09.12
Today was a very hard working rehearsal; the entire cast and dancers stayed working in school the full 6 hours. To start with all the dancers got together in the small gym and with Ms. Ucci worked independently on the steps we are going to do during the prom scene.
Once again I did not have Simon (Danny) to work with, so instead I worked with Guilherme. During this rehearsal I was determined to accomplish something: finish the choreography and put it officially on paper, so that I could have it ready to teach the entire sequence to Simon.
When we started working I realized it would be harder than I imagined to get everything settled in paper, we went through it many times.
I was getting tired and running out of creativity, the rehearsal came to a point where I seriously felt like starting it all over from scratch. I was loosing my patience with the situation I encountered myself, it was when Ms. Ucci helped me settle and relax for a bit.
While we were practicing outside, in the auditorium the play was running and eventually our scene would come up. When it did, I panicked, now I was dancing with Simon and for some reason my mind blacked out, I could not remember the steps.
During the scene, the actual steps were a disaster, I made sure though that we were moving at all times and that the grand finale pose was always the same.
After the break Ms. Ucci began working more closely with us (Guilherme and myself) and helping my day goal to be completed. We managed to get some better ideas and I was no longer that frustrated. I began realizing that he was feeling very tired and no longer had the energy to do the moves with a lot of enthusiasm. But we kept pushing until the end of the rehearsal, and a lot of the moves were put on paper.
At the end of the day I was satisfied with the things we accomplished and how the dance was turning out to be.
BIG MISTAKE - I forgot the paper at school and was not able to find it the following Monday.
THINGS I LEARNT –
1. To keep calm and always seek for a clear head when working with something that requires perseverance and focus.
2. Be more responsible with the papers and materials of projects.
3. Have patience, because what is ambitious does not come easy.
Once again I did not have Simon (Danny) to work with, so instead I worked with Guilherme. During this rehearsal I was determined to accomplish something: finish the choreography and put it officially on paper, so that I could have it ready to teach the entire sequence to Simon.
When we started working I realized it would be harder than I imagined to get everything settled in paper, we went through it many times.
I was getting tired and running out of creativity, the rehearsal came to a point where I seriously felt like starting it all over from scratch. I was loosing my patience with the situation I encountered myself, it was when Ms. Ucci helped me settle and relax for a bit.
While we were practicing outside, in the auditorium the play was running and eventually our scene would come up. When it did, I panicked, now I was dancing with Simon and for some reason my mind blacked out, I could not remember the steps.
During the scene, the actual steps were a disaster, I made sure though that we were moving at all times and that the grand finale pose was always the same.
After the break Ms. Ucci began working more closely with us (Guilherme and myself) and helping my day goal to be completed. We managed to get some better ideas and I was no longer that frustrated. I began realizing that he was feeling very tired and no longer had the energy to do the moves with a lot of enthusiasm. But we kept pushing until the end of the rehearsal, and a lot of the moves were put on paper.
At the end of the day I was satisfied with the things we accomplished and how the dance was turning out to be.
BIG MISTAKE - I forgot the paper at school and was not able to find it the following Monday.
THINGS I LEARNT –
1. To keep calm and always seek for a clear head when working with something that requires perseverance and focus.
2. Be more responsible with the papers and materials of projects.
3. Have patience, because what is ambitious does not come easy.
Saturday rehearsal (first after return)
The day after the break and trip was a bit dodgy and awkward. During the past 2 weeks neither Simon or I have worked on the dance, and when we came to perform it during the rehearsal scene there were major issues. I fell at least twice, not mentioning that for at least half of the song we were not doing anything as I was trying to remember the moves and guide Simon. We had trouble but it was inevitable, we had done nothing on this project during the break, even though Mr. Drenth warned everyone that we would be rusty.
During the breaks we (Guilherme and I) got together to recreate the dance. We began noting things down again and everything started clicking. Unfortunately that day i did not have a chance to run through the dance again with Simon, but Guilherme and I made good progress. At that point I was really worried about what it would look like with Simon, he would not deliver the energy needed to make that dance the show it ought to be.
During the breaks we (Guilherme and I) got together to recreate the dance. We began noting things down again and everything started clicking. Unfortunately that day i did not have a chance to run through the dance again with Simon, but Guilherme and I made good progress. At that point I was really worried about what it would look like with Simon, he would not deliver the energy needed to make that dance the show it ought to be.
1st Full dressed rehearsal!!! [29.10.12]
The crew warned us that the dressed rehearsal would give us a completely different sense of the play while acting. Indeed it did, with the costume on u all felt more in character, like a little spark was added to the show. I would only go on stage on the second act, so I spend the entire first act practicing with Guilherme and memorizing all the moves so that during the scene I could guide Simon through and help him out. I was really grateful for all Guilherme's support, improving the moves and many times correcting him, I learned a lot from him.
During the scene I was more relaxed and the dance had the right flow, we did have some pauses but they were not major. The big problem came with the final pose where Simon let me fall again, after being so confident the entire scene, that part just ruined it.
It was clear that he was having trouble and I did not know what to do to help him out. So I went up to Ms. Ucci and she gave me a tip so that I was able to keep half of my wight concentrated on one leg rather than completely on Simon.
I was scared, we would not have it completely right for the performance thursday! But she suggested I helped him out on the last pose where he held me with one arm as I called back. She showed me how I could divide my weight by sharing it with the leg I still had on the ground during that step. It seemed like it would really work and nothing visually changed the pose, which sounded great. But would it work with him?
During the scene I was more relaxed and the dance had the right flow, we did have some pauses but they were not major. The big problem came with the final pose where Simon let me fall again, after being so confident the entire scene, that part just ruined it.
It was clear that he was having trouble and I did not know what to do to help him out. So I went up to Ms. Ucci and she gave me a tip so that I was able to keep half of my wight concentrated on one leg rather than completely on Simon.
I was scared, we would not have it completely right for the performance thursday! But she suggested I helped him out on the last pose where he held me with one arm as I called back. She showed me how I could divide my weight by sharing it with the leg I still had on the ground during that step. It seemed like it would really work and nothing visually changed the pose, which sounded great. But would it work with him?
THE PERFORMANCE
That day during the school break I was able to be with Simon and we used that time entirely devoted to going through the dance as much as possible. Unfortunately we did not use music due to some tech problems. We went through it and I used Ms. Ucci's tip, I really worked! I was relieved, we ran over the last bit in particular about 6 times and not once he let me fall! It was again a last minute thing but we were able to have it complete and properly done before the curtains opened. We were both very happy, Simon knew how much I dedicated to have it perfect and I knew how much he overcame his abilities to have that dance performed, I was proud of it. But the second and hardest part was yet to come the PERFORMANCE. Whatever we did during rehearsal could be absolutely ruined or become even better with the audience and energy performing actually has.
*GETTING READY: We were all extremely excited although the tension was heavy! Teachers were freaking out the crew was working at full speed. Due to the fact that I only appeared in the second act, I was the last one to get ready. All that extra that the hair, make-up and costume added to my character I owe it to three people, Ms. Pratt for creating the make-up design, Ms. Davies for putting my costume together and Ainhoa for the hair and make-up. Once everyone was ready and I was already feeling entirely in character, Simon suggested we went through the outline of the dance again. Everyone was doing the same or going over the lines as a last minute revision. We went through with it and everything seemed to be just fine, every move was remembered, at that moment I was confident that everything would work out as planned.
When I came in scene, I felt a rush, just like when nervous combines with excitement. The music started and we got on dancing, all the moves were doing great! The audience cheered loudly when we were done! I huge him tight and thanked him.
The actual performance was the best we have ever done it, the energy Simon was in gave the choreography an amazing spark! The first night and the second where the best performances, but we did not get one single step wrong in any of them!
*GETTING READY: We were all extremely excited although the tension was heavy! Teachers were freaking out the crew was working at full speed. Due to the fact that I only appeared in the second act, I was the last one to get ready. All that extra that the hair, make-up and costume added to my character I owe it to three people, Ms. Pratt for creating the make-up design, Ms. Davies for putting my costume together and Ainhoa for the hair and make-up. Once everyone was ready and I was already feeling entirely in character, Simon suggested we went through the outline of the dance again. Everyone was doing the same or going over the lines as a last minute revision. We went through with it and everything seemed to be just fine, every move was remembered, at that moment I was confident that everything would work out as planned.
When I came in scene, I felt a rush, just like when nervous combines with excitement. The music started and we got on dancing, all the moves were doing great! The audience cheered loudly when we were done! I huge him tight and thanked him.
The actual performance was the best we have ever done it, the energy Simon was in gave the choreography an amazing spark! The first night and the second where the best performances, but we did not get one single step wrong in any of them!
REFLECTION
Working with such an amazing group and partner was both amazing and challenging. I learned so much about overcoming challenges, not only personal ones but challenges in group. It is really different and it requires a lot of empathy, for you to try and put yourself into another persons shoes and understand their difficulties and work around them to attempt to get to the same positive result.
Seeking for experience and knowledge whenever doing something new is always the best alternative. In my case talking to professionals like Ms. Ucci was the best option and it did lead me to a better result. Although I tried to listen to more experienced ones, I did not listen to Mr. Drenth when he warned that our performance would be rusty, I should have worked on it during the break and that would have made the final result even better.
I have always been very fond of improvisation, although when it comes to a project like this things have to be very closely planned. If I had give planning and registering things down, its proper importance the routine would be properly put together beforehand and more time would be spent on practicing what we already had and making it better, rather than creating and changing.
During the beginning of this project I believe I spent too much time attempting to change my partner rather than working with him. Despite the wonderful result, things would have probably turned out differently if I had a partner who was not as dedicated. This is an issue I have when working in groups, too much of the time in group is actually time spent where I impose my ideas and try to teach and speak instead of learning and listening. During this project I realized this personal flaw and managed to slowly begin improving it.
It was a life changing process that required a lot of giving so that in the end all the hard work would be rewarded with so warm applauses and recognition from the school staff and peers, as well as my family and friends!
Seeking for experience and knowledge whenever doing something new is always the best alternative. In my case talking to professionals like Ms. Ucci was the best option and it did lead me to a better result. Although I tried to listen to more experienced ones, I did not listen to Mr. Drenth when he warned that our performance would be rusty, I should have worked on it during the break and that would have made the final result even better.
I have always been very fond of improvisation, although when it comes to a project like this things have to be very closely planned. If I had give planning and registering things down, its proper importance the routine would be properly put together beforehand and more time would be spent on practicing what we already had and making it better, rather than creating and changing.
During the beginning of this project I believe I spent too much time attempting to change my partner rather than working with him. Despite the wonderful result, things would have probably turned out differently if I had a partner who was not as dedicated. This is an issue I have when working in groups, too much of the time in group is actually time spent where I impose my ideas and try to teach and speak instead of learning and listening. During this project I realized this personal flaw and managed to slowly begin improving it.
It was a life changing process that required a lot of giving so that in the end all the hard work would be rewarded with so warm applauses and recognition from the school staff and peers, as well as my family and friends!
Answering Reflection Questions
1. DID I ACHIEVE MY GOAL - Yes I believe I have successfully achieved my initial goal I put together a routine of rock style and managed to have it well performed together with a partner not so familiar with that style, within the period of 3 months.
2. WHAT WOULD I DO DIFFERENTLY? - If I were to do this project again I would have organized myself better using any extra time to begin practicing with Simon a lot before I did. I guess I was avoiding having to go through the routine with him in the beginning as I was having so much fun dancing with Guilherme. During the break we had I should have worked on the choreography so that the rehearsals could flow faster and more efficiently. I should have been more responsible with the papers were the choreography was written and maybe filmed the routine more often so that every rehearsal I started from where I stopped in the previous one, and not all over. I would have worn a different attitude towards Simon and his commitment, understanding from the beginning that he was doing his best and try to push him up to his abilities and not make of his mistakes a personal frustration.
3. HOW DID MY AWARENESS OF MY STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES INCREASE? - I felt frustrated and disappointed with my myself every time we failed a step or I fell to the ground, that wore me out personally, because of this I slowly began not letting these mistakes affect me personally as much. I improved as a person separating my personal feelings with my aims and duties. FINISH
4. HAVE I UNDERTAKEN A CHALLENGE? - Yes, this goal was harder to be achieved with success than I imagined it to be, it was a challenge in all levels personal and collective.
5. DID I PLAN AND ORGANIZE ACTIVITIES? - No, the rehearsals were all set by the director, Mr. Drenth and the extra dancers only rehearsals were settled by Ms. Ucci.
6. HOW DID ANY PREVIOUS SKILLS HELP ME PERSUE MY GOAL? - As I have worked in many plays before and my acting skills were strong, meaning I had more time to concentrate on the routine during all the rehearsing time. My dancing lessons and gymnastics helped me get the rock steps very quickly
7. DID I WORK COLLABORATIVELY? - Yes, I was constantly sharing ideas and working with other people, almost nothing during this process was done individually. The creation of the routine was done with Guilherme with slight suggestions coming from other people within the dancing crew, whom I would aways listen and try to work with their ideas seeking always what would fit best. I was constantly seeking for feedback from the teachers and play supervisors and the performance was done with Simon, who I had to overcome challenges with.
8. DID I SHOW PERSEVERANCE AND COMMITMENT? - Yes, during the process I was focused on my goal and kept the same strong will, to have the best performance I could put together. Even after loosing my routine script twice, and having less than half of the rehearsing time actually rehearsing with the partner I would perform, I still atempt to find extra time with Simon and write the routine again every important rehearsal. Despite getting a little rusty after not practicing during the break, I still strived to achieve the same level of excellence as before so that the level of our performance would not drop.
9. WAS I ENGAGED WITH ISSUES OF GLOBAL IMPORTANCE? - Not really, the play was performed to our local community and all the cast and crew were part of the school community.
10. WERE THERE ETHNICAL IMPLICATIONS? - Almost none, I had to keep the moves appropriate for a school performance and all aged public, nothing to appealing or grown up.
12. DID I DEVELOP NEW SKILLS? - I improved my dancing skills with Ms. Ucci, as she taught me new steps and tips when dancing with a partner I learned how to be conducted and how to conduct a dance with a partner. I have definitely improved my commitment, maintaining focus to achieve a single goal with many challenges throughout a long period of time is overwhelming and keeping determined needs practice. I believe I have come out of it with this extra motivation to achieve more. Working with someone else in such an intense and personal level did make my communication and collaborative skills to be improved.
2. WHAT WOULD I DO DIFFERENTLY? - If I were to do this project again I would have organized myself better using any extra time to begin practicing with Simon a lot before I did. I guess I was avoiding having to go through the routine with him in the beginning as I was having so much fun dancing with Guilherme. During the break we had I should have worked on the choreography so that the rehearsals could flow faster and more efficiently. I should have been more responsible with the papers were the choreography was written and maybe filmed the routine more often so that every rehearsal I started from where I stopped in the previous one, and not all over. I would have worn a different attitude towards Simon and his commitment, understanding from the beginning that he was doing his best and try to push him up to his abilities and not make of his mistakes a personal frustration.
3. HOW DID MY AWARENESS OF MY STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES INCREASE? - I felt frustrated and disappointed with my myself every time we failed a step or I fell to the ground, that wore me out personally, because of this I slowly began not letting these mistakes affect me personally as much. I improved as a person separating my personal feelings with my aims and duties. FINISH
4. HAVE I UNDERTAKEN A CHALLENGE? - Yes, this goal was harder to be achieved with success than I imagined it to be, it was a challenge in all levels personal and collective.
5. DID I PLAN AND ORGANIZE ACTIVITIES? - No, the rehearsals were all set by the director, Mr. Drenth and the extra dancers only rehearsals were settled by Ms. Ucci.
6. HOW DID ANY PREVIOUS SKILLS HELP ME PERSUE MY GOAL? - As I have worked in many plays before and my acting skills were strong, meaning I had more time to concentrate on the routine during all the rehearsing time. My dancing lessons and gymnastics helped me get the rock steps very quickly
7. DID I WORK COLLABORATIVELY? - Yes, I was constantly sharing ideas and working with other people, almost nothing during this process was done individually. The creation of the routine was done with Guilherme with slight suggestions coming from other people within the dancing crew, whom I would aways listen and try to work with their ideas seeking always what would fit best. I was constantly seeking for feedback from the teachers and play supervisors and the performance was done with Simon, who I had to overcome challenges with.
8. DID I SHOW PERSEVERANCE AND COMMITMENT? - Yes, during the process I was focused on my goal and kept the same strong will, to have the best performance I could put together. Even after loosing my routine script twice, and having less than half of the rehearsing time actually rehearsing with the partner I would perform, I still atempt to find extra time with Simon and write the routine again every important rehearsal. Despite getting a little rusty after not practicing during the break, I still strived to achieve the same level of excellence as before so that the level of our performance would not drop.
9. WAS I ENGAGED WITH ISSUES OF GLOBAL IMPORTANCE? - Not really, the play was performed to our local community and all the cast and crew were part of the school community.
10. WERE THERE ETHNICAL IMPLICATIONS? - Almost none, I had to keep the moves appropriate for a school performance and all aged public, nothing to appealing or grown up.
12. DID I DEVELOP NEW SKILLS? - I improved my dancing skills with Ms. Ucci, as she taught me new steps and tips when dancing with a partner I learned how to be conducted and how to conduct a dance with a partner. I have definitely improved my commitment, maintaining focus to achieve a single goal with many challenges throughout a long period of time is overwhelming and keeping determined needs practice. I believe I have come out of it with this extra motivation to achieve more. Working with someone else in such an intense and personal level did make my communication and collaborative skills to be improved.