Unit 8 and 9 - Musical Theatre Choreography Logbook

MUSICAL CHOREOGRAPHY:

Log from: 28^th November 2014 – 15^thJanuary 2015

(Rehearsals and Shows)

Both Musical Showcase and Musical Choreography were in rehearsals as a result. Unfortunately, the production team were not allowed to be rehearsals as the Musical Theatre students were preparing for an assessment for the last places for the Choreographic Show.

Friday 28^th November 2014:

First production meeting for Choreography where each department has tasks listed i.e. SND and LX have you thought of your initial design?, Stage Management do you have an initial props list from the director as yet? During this meeting, you will have to introduce yourself to each other, to know what role that person has for the show.

Monday 1^st December 2014:

As there were no Choreography rehearsals, I received a props list from the director. This included the highlighted props Stage Management had to source i.e. two dressing tables (small coffee tables), Mirror frame only (had to be made by ASMs on the show). As this was already onsite, this made the prop sourcing experience easier.

Tuesday 2^nd December 2014:

As I received a props list from the day before, I used the templates – Props Acquisition Chart, Running and Setting Lists from Musical Showcase. A props acquisition chart is a chart that highlights the item, who, when and where the item was sourced and is it in rehearsals, in the building or In the actual performance.

Here is an example of a Props acquisition chart:

NAME OF SHOW
Item	Who	When	Source	In Rehearsals	In Building	In Actual Performance
Blue Chairs x2	Bloggs	12/1/11	YMCA Centre, Barbican	Yes	Yes	Yes

A running list to record the prop, which will bring the prop on and of the stage and any notes regarding the prop.

Here is an example of a Running List:

NAME OF SHOW
BEGINNERS: Log – onstage B.lo – onstage Blogs – onstage Blog- onstage
Action	Operator	Notes
Blue Chairs x2	Summer - SL	Summer to bring on Blue Chairs x2 from SL during blackout.

A setting list is used to show what props is on what side of the stage i.e. At the end of the performance, Blue chairs x2 were in the SR wing and will need to be reset too SL.

Here is an example of a Setting List:

NAME OF SHOW		NAME OF SHOW
STAGE LEFT WING		STAGE RIGHT WING
Props	Notes	Props	Notes
Blue Chairs x2

Wednesday 3^rd – Thursday 4^th December 2014:

Did not paperwork for Choreography due to Showcase Rehearsals.

Friday 5^th December 2014:

Second production meeting for Choreography – where we had a catch-up to see how each department is with deadline dates and updated paperwork. This is also a chance to question the director and reps from the MT Students of any changes that have not been noted.

Monday 8^th – Wednesday 10^th December 2014:

Production Days for Showcase, no updates on Choreography.

Thursday 11^th December 2014:

Spoke to Megan Jones – Main one out of two of the MT students, who gave me the information for rehearsals, which  will commence on Monday 5^th January 2015 (after the Christmas Holidays) for the assessments only.

Friday 12^th December 2014:

Third production meeting for Choreography – where deadlines had to be met such as the initial deadlines for SND and LX, initial props list, risk assessment

Monday 5^th  - Friday 9^th January 2015:

Rehearsals for Choreography started from 9am – 5:00pm every day. As all pieces were blocked and no pieces were updated, this made it easier SM team to continue sourcing outstanding props and paperwork.

Running and Setting list updated with extra information such as props being cut due to dances being cut as a result.

Last Production Meeting for Choreography, all deadlines are met, risk assessments completed, running and setting list completed and finalization of cast call sheets.

The pre-plot happened for both Constellations and Choreography as requested from Jo.

Monday 12^th – Tuesday 13^th January 2015:

Production for Constellations.

The get-out for Constellations happened on Tuesday 13^th, where a crossover happened into Choreography. At this point, the frame had to be readjusted due to the sizing.

Here is a step-by-step guide of how the frame was made:

1.    Worked out the frame needs to be 6 metres by 6 metres. Use a pencil or chisel with tape measure to make out 6 metres.

2.    Cut four pieces of timber to measure at 6 metres.

3.    Sand excess timber down by using a sand machine and manual sand paper.

4.    Use power drill to screw all pieces together.

5.    That the frame complete

MAKE SURE THAT THE FRAME IS 100% STABLE

6.    After measure out the legs (support) at 3 metres at least x4

7.    Once that has been done, start to attach the legs to the frame. Always when using a power drill, screw diagonally to hold the legs in plan.

8.    When you are happy with the frame, test on an even floor to see if t rocks.

9.    When you have tested the frame, start to paint the frame grey or black.

10.  Leave to dry and apply a second coat if needed.

11.  Leave to dry again.

Cast call sheet for Choreography was sent out to the cast, to let them know what time they will be needed in the theatre.

Wednesday 14^th – Friday 16^th January 2015:

Production for Choreography – Get-In

After the crossover on Tuesday 13^th January, LX had to re-focus their booms due to the dance floor being laid and their LX Bars  and Overheads as well.

In the afternoon, we had a LX plot where all cast and director were in attendance. LX Plot is used to the cast to walk through their pieces slowly and efficiently. The LX plot did over run by the hours set.

On Thursday 15^th, we had a tech and dress before the first show at 3:30pm. The tech and dress was a way to know the cast a bit better. The sow 3:30pm was show due to errors with sound, slow transitions etc. In the last show at 7:30pm, the transitions between dances were efficient, there was less talking in the wings by the cast and more communication between all departments.

Over cans, I highly praise each person on their commitments and time on the Choreography show.

Friday 16^th, Get-Out for Choreography took place – which meant striking the set such as props into props store, booms put back into the lock-up etc.

We then had a critic over the three shows in terms of questions such as:

-       How do you think is went?

-       What do you think worked well?

-       What did not work well?

-       What could have been improved?

-       How was your team during rehearsals and leading up to the final performance?

As an Oveview, I felt that the production process could have been improved a lot more in terms of Stage Manager having a back-up of props and explaining to his/her's SM team clearly. It was a stressful experience and I would never like to work as a Production Manager again for this type of show.