IA with Maya Dance Theatre
19/9
Observing and assisting Shahrin with the class
Shahrin was really detailed when he explains the exercises and which part of their body they are working on.
Task for next Saturday:
Lead warm up
Teach them a few exercises
Teach them choreography
21/9
Today we learnt the basic foundation of Bharatnatyam (type of an indian dance) There are many different positions for Bharatnatyam.
Aramandi (Half squat)
Mulu Mandi (Full squat)
Natia Arambem (Arm position)
We also learnt Adavus which are the basic dance steps in Bharatanatyam.
Tat Adavu
Sequence 1
Sequence 2
Nat Adavu
Sequence 1
Sequence 2
Paravel (Travelling steps)
Swastika (Leg position)
Names of the hands:
Pataka (5 fingers together)
Tri Pataka (5 fingers together except the 4th)
Alapadma (Flower Symbol)
Khadaka Muga (Rabbit finger)
Understanding the movement philosophy
1. Experiences of the exercises that we did (Tendus, plies)
I feel that catching the steps was manageable however, executing the steps well is another problem. I had a problem with coordinating my upper body and lower body because it was pretty confusing and it is something that is foreign to me. Like learning Bharatanatyam is something new so I was mostly concentrating on remembering the movement/ position of the exercises.
We did the exercises in 3 different speed
Slow - It was easy to catch because we have that extra time to think about the next steps and how we are going to coordinate our movements. Feel less rush and more calm.
Medium - It was getting a little challenging. I feel that I will slowly lose my feeling of staying grounded
Fast - It was really fast that I lost my form. I felt that i was not holding my arms firmly and especially the extension of the legs and arm were not there anymore 2. Analyze the movement of the phrase
I feel that the combination has a fusion of Bharatanatyam with contemporary. The upper body has variations of the Bharatanatyam like the arms. Playing with different kinds of rhythms on 1, 3 , 5 like Bharatanatyam. I feel that it is important to listen to the music especially when there are only beats. It is also good to play with different rhythms when there are only beats too. This combination shows that even though it looks like a contemporary dance it has also links to Bharatanatyam.
3. Experiences of learning one of Shahrin’s choreography
I did have a few struggles and difficulties that I faced that was understanding the rhythm to the music. But after doing a few times it slowly gets better. I feel that I need to learn to know when to hit or when to relax. Sometimes I feel that I do not manage to complete or extend the steps when I should maybe because I was worried of being late to the next phrase. I need to work on the weight shifting from one move to another. I think that transitions to another movement is very important as well so that it allows me to be more stable and able to catch the next steps as soon as possible especially in fast paced songs.
We also did a short video transcript subtitle. It was pretty okay I feel, also because we did it all three together. It was manageable as it was our first time doing a subtitle transcript. I was more confused on how the format was supposed to be. Sebastian also told us to think of how netflix actually does their subtitling.
22/9
Today, I went to a pre-school to assist Shahrin and Jas with the kids. It was an experience to be able to observe how Shahrin taught the class and how the kids behave. Like what Shahrin did was to plan the class so that it is very exciting and fun for them to learn.
Songs that are popular for them (Baby shark)
Using props(as a winning prize) to attract them to participate in class
Giving them simple quizzes that are more visual and fun for them to learn. From youtube.
I could not really do much because it was my first time so I do not really know what to expect. But hopefully in the future I get more chances to be able to teach them. I feel that it will not be a as easy because the kids are so energetic and it is important to get their attention on me. And also I probably need to learn how to be at their level but also have that sense of “I am the teacher here” when communicating with them.
We had technique class with Ms Kavitha and Subas and we learnt a movement phrase which is called “Mandala”.
Terms:
Samapada (Parallel)
Chowka (Second position)
Kudichi (Half squat on demi toes)
We explored using the Mandala movement we learnt.
Part 1: I feel that I was mostly overthinking mainly because I feel really awkward and uncomfortable to improv in front of new people with the Manadala movement. And also I was thinking too much of the steps like for example what should I do next or what if i already did that movement? I will be repeating it again. I also realised that is why I was too self absorbed and kept looking down on the floor while dancing.
Part 2: It definitely felt better...especially when we were told to use our eye to communicate with each other. Slowly stepping out of that awkwardness to improv in front of other people.
Part 3: We had a storyline to go with it. So the story line was to imagine that we were in the forest and we can use any expression we want to express or be something that is in the forest. I feel that this was the hardest. We were trying not to use your facial expression to show, it is more of the body and the eye line that is communicating and expressing what we want to be/do.
In the afternoon, we were tasked to do a video transcript subtitle for a production called “Mighty Mousedeer”. I feel that one of the difficulties on doing the subtitle transcript is to be very attentive while listening to the whole video (28 minutes long) as it is really important to get the subtitles clear and right. So that it is helpful for targeted audiences that are deaf to be able to let them read from the subtitles. We also tried to think like ‘netflix’ way of putting the subtitles. For example:
*music playing*
*tiger roars*
To make it more interesting as well.
I do feel that it can be draining to my eyes sometimes because we need to keep repeating the video to confirm if we did not listen wrongly.
In the late afternoon, we decided to help Eva out for an interview. She is currently working on a project called Behind Closed Doors. The topic is about loneliness and social isolation among elderly in Singapore. I feel that this interview made me feel vulnerable. I like how Maya Dance Theatre actually focuses on these kinds of topics that not all dance companies are doing. I feel that it allows their dancers to actually open up with each other and show their vulnerability.
23/9
Today, I was scheduled to follow Eva to their costume storeroom to help out. Jas went through with me
on how they usually check their stocks on their costumes. It was pretty easy to understand and I think
that Jas did a great job explaining. We managed to check at least 3 boxes. There were really so many
costumes. I feel that it is a really good way to sort out the costumes by printing pictures of each costume
and stating which box is it from and the number of each costume and also writing down the quantities
of the costumes so that it is easier and faster for the DADC people to check.
We head back to the office and was tasked to finish an upcoming production schedule on Grey Lines.
We had to list the dates of when to release the EDMs (posters) to promote to the crowd/wanted audience
that would see the EDM. I had some difficulties doing the schedule and was kind of lost on what to do
or how I should planned it out as it was my first time. I think that was one of the challenges I faced
because I feel the it is important to plan it properly. Not only thinking about when to release the EDMs
but also:
Interview with artist
Technical runs
Invitations to be sent out
Fazlina managed to email a draft on how it is supposed to be done. But I don't know what were the
mistakes made after submitting it. I do feel that it would be much clearer if they explained more on how it
should be done and what is their expectation and also give us corrections on what we did wrong so that
I will be able to learn more about it. I would know what is right or wrong.
We also planned on how we want to format the EDM (poster) so that it will attract the audience to be
interested in the upcoming production and are willing to purchase the tickets from us. I think the
formatting is quite simple and straightforward. However, we do still need to think a lot about the colours
of the posters that we want it to be because the targeted audience wasn't to the kids. Yes, the kids would
be the one watching however, the one that is buying the tickets is their parents. That is one that I didn't
realize until Imran explained to us about it. The font is also important as well, so that the parents are able
to read it properly. And also the way we use the words in the sentence, it must show how and why we
would want to promote this production for the kids to enjoy and learn from them. What benefits would
they get from watching it?
We finally get a chance to meet the DADC people and join their training/class. From what I observe
throughout the class was that interacting with them was good, they all were very receptive with us.
Because we had to explain and teach them a short exercise, I do feel that if only we had more
knowledge on how to teach the DADC it would be so much better and comfortable. There were many
different things that we had to consider while communicating with them. We have to be careful with what
we say or how we actually treat them without patronizing them. Does not mean that if they act like a kid
means we need to treat them like a kid because they are still older than us so instead of treating them
like a mature adult or a kid, is it better to treat/talk to them at their level so that they are able to
understand us. Sometimes it is also good to let them decide on themselves instead of giving them
instructions.
24/9
Today I was task to make a EDM for their upcoming production “Mighty Mousedeer”. EDM: a poster to
advertise to the audience. I feel that it was quite easy to understand how to edit the poster/adding
videos/links in. However, I think the challenging part was to design the poster to fit the targeted audience
that is going to read the poster to purchase the tickets. As the show is mostly targeted to the young ones
but the ”targeted” audience that is going to purchase the ticket is their parents. So there were many
things to put into consideration.
For example:
Font
Colours
Sentence phrases ( how it will attract their parents to wanting their children to watch )
The format for the posters is also equally important as well. (where should I put the trailer video/photos
so that it will attract the audience to wanting to know more about the production)
In the afternoon, we had a technique class with Eva. Eva is one of the dancers in Maya Dance Theatre.
She taught us more about staying grounded and imagined that we are a tree and that our roots are
spreading below our feet and many branches/leaves around us. Firstly, we partnered up to do some
simple pressing on our head, shoulder, pelvis, feet to make us feel grounded. Before that, I actually felt
lighter but after that simple pressing down, I felt more grounded.
We also did a simple exercise to warm up our body. I feel that it was nice that it was gradually getting
faster. When we are getting faster, it allows me to be more aware of my surroundings, especially when
the space is small. We had to be more aware of where the people are moving to.
Eva also told us that eye contact is very important. I agree too because it shows the audience the
directions we are going and it also allows us to know where we are going and be aware of the people
around us.
We attended the dancers in Maya to observe their rehearsal. We tried to follow and copy the steps but it
was going too fast. They all have a very interesting collaboration with each other and they all actually
work very fast. Their decision making is immediate as well. They managed to finish the whole extra
2-3 minutes of the song(i think) in 2 hours. The types of songs attract different types of audiences.
The songs that they picked were very hyped which is more entertaining to the audience in a more
exciting manner but at the same time allows the audience to learn something from it as well.
Ms Kavitha pointed out that their movements were all very nice just that it feels too fast and she wanted
to have some stop/slow parts. So that the audience is able to see what they are doing.
25/9
Basic foundation training
We went through the Mandala phrase that we did the other time. We also did a short improvisation using
the mandala phrase to portray what storyline we were thinking in our mind to if anyone is able to figure
out what we are trying to ”speak”. I learnt that even with that short phrase, we are still able to make a
relationship with each other. There was a part where subconsciously Gabbie and I formed a diagonal
and we did the same steps together while Sherilyn was at the other end and I walked away after that.
It kind of interprets that Gabbie and I were ganging up on Sherilyn while she is alone and vulnerable.
I decided to walk away because I feel that it is not right to gang up on someone. There is already a short
story to it already. Different people are able to interpret the story in their own ways because there is no
right or wrong.
There was another part where how people’s actions influence other people. If there isnt anyone dancing,
no one would take that leadership and ownership to start. I think because as humans we tend to feel
awkward and wonder if we are doing it wrong if we initiate first. That is why sometimes no one dares to
initiate and that is when you know if the person is a follower or a leader. Speed also influences other
people. When someone starts to speed up, the other person will tend to feel the need to speed because
someone else did.
I feel that those explorations that we did were very interesting and it is also very helpful in the future if I
want to choreograph and have a reason for my choreography or something.
26/9
Task:
Lead warm up
Teach them a few exercise
Tendus exercise (Help with the extension and articulation of the feet)
Jumps (plies, foot articulation)
Butt roll
Choreography
Feedbacks:
It is good that I break down the steps clearly but it is also good if next time I can try to explain
which muscles they are working on and how useful it is for them in the future.
Try not to second doubt myself and interact with the student with more confidence.
Try not to be at the “friend” level but more of a “teacher” level. It is ok to be nice but at the same
time try not to be too nice and be too afraid to correct them.
Be more confident in myself because they are learning from me and I'm sharing my knowledge
that I learnt with them.
I was actually very nervous because it was my first time teaching so I do not know what to
expect and how to be comfortable and natural while teaching them. But I do feel that it comes with
experience so I am glad that I actually taught the class to let me get a experience on how is it like.
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