Current ideas and talks with a fellow BAPP student

So as I mentioned in an earlier blog, last week Lizzie and I managed to arrange a Skype session to discuss our learning on Module 2 and our possible lines of inquiry. In preparation for the session I looked back on all my notes so far so that I would be able to put across all of my ideas to Lizzie clearly. I found this a useful task as it brought myself some clarity on my ideas and enabled me to create more focus and direction within my work. I have found I have three main areas to look into and develop.

1. Motivation and a career in performance

This is something I have touched on briefly in an earlier blog. I am interested in identifying the factors that motivate someone to pursue a career in performance. Also if it is possible to identify the factors, can these then be used to improve your career in anyway. An area that I could focus on is investigating if there is a link between motivation and success. So if I were to look at this area I would look at what are the motivating factors but also what is meant by the term 'success'. Below is a link to my earlier blog with other ideas on this topic.

http://westchloe.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/if-you-have-taken-time-to-read-some-of.html 

2. The similarites and differences between a dance rehearsal and a dance class

This is a topic that is very relevant to my current line of work. I am about to start rehearsals for a winter contract, take class regularly as a professional and also teach dance classes in various schools. I would like to look at the similarities and differences between a rehearsal and class so that I can improve how I act and develop in both environments and also to pass on this learning to my students. I have started work on developing my ideas through mind mapping 'what makes a successful a rehearsal', which I posted an image of in an earlier blog.

http://westchloe.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/a-possible-line-of-inquiry.html

I then completed a similar process for 'what makes a successful class'. By looking at both mind maps together it is easy to see that there are many similarities. This motivates me to want to take this topic further as I think my initial thoughts on wanting to improve in both environments with one study will be possible. Below are images of both mind maps.

3. Preparation in Musical Theatre colleges for a professional career

My third and final possible inquiry topic would focus on the training received at musical theatre colleges and how it prepares students for a career in the performing arts. I have found a fellow student following a similar line of thought whilst reading her blog. Rebecca talks about the struggles she has faced in her career and questions whether she could have been better prepared for these obstacles in her training. Please find below a link to her blog.

http://rebeccajones387.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/4a-mass-of-questions.html

Once I had all of my thoughts organised I was ready for the Skype session with Lizzie. It was really useful and reassuring to share ideas with someone on the course. Our current ideas for topics to follow are not similar, however we found we would need similar methods of inquiry in order to gain information that we would need. For example we talked about my idea of looking at behavior in rehearsals compared to behavior in a class environment. Lizzie and I discussed how discipline is a main factor in both of these areas and how I would need to look at what exactly 'discipline' is and that one way to do that would be to question different practitioners on what they believed discipline is. We then looked at Lizzie's idea of what makes an 'intelligent' dancer. We discussed how she could question different practitioners to see what they look out for in auditions and rehearsals and stands out to them as an intelligent dancer. 

The session was also extremely helpful to me as I had to unfortunately miss a group Skype session with Adesola on 07/10/16 on 'Developing Lines of Inquiry'. Lizzie had written a really useful blog summarising the session but it was helpful to speak to her in person. She informed me that Adesola had said it was important to not make assumptions in the questions you make in your inquiry. They can not have a personal opinion in them as they will influence the responses you receive. The questions need to be open and without bias. It was also mentioned that it is ok for your ideas to be broad topics to begin with and to be reassured that as the module continues the work you do will narrow down those ideas. 

I found the session with Lizzie very helpful and I look forward to future session both with individual members of the course and group sessions. I now plan to refine my ideas through further research and thoughts into what will be most effective in helping me in my career.

A Possible Line of Inquiry

I have taken time to look back through my Module One work, in particular the questions asked in Task 2D. It helped me focus some of my thoughts and decide upon a possible line of inquiry.

A continuing theme throughout my work on this course has been the importance of psychology when working with others. I have mentioned in previous blogs how I struggle to find the balance between teaching work and performance work. That is something that has continued to effect my decision on possible inquiry topics. It is important to choose a line of inquiry that is relevant to your work. However if your work is constantly changing it can be hard to focus your ideas and options!

For that reason I would like to, if possible, look at a line of inquiry that would effect both sides of my work. With the key theme of psychology within team work in mind, below are some questions that I have brainstormed.

What types of learning must you consider when taking a rehearsal in order to get the best performance out of the entire cast?

How does the teaching and learning experienced in a class differ to that experienced in a rehearsal?

Does a performer have to conduct themselves differently in a rehearsal environment than they do in a class? If so, what are the reasons for that difference?


I looked at my questions and decided I needed to start with a broader approach to help gather my thoughts and help provide my ideas with a direction to go in. I thought about, 'What makes a successful rehearsal'. I started with what I thought were the four main factors - The choreographer, the rehearsal members, the rehearsal space and the material. Below is a picture of my brainstorming.

I also found a useful article on the topic. It is from the point of view of someone in charge of a rehearsal, something I will be doing often in the coming weeks so definitely something for me to consider.

http://www.danceadvantage.net/rehearsal-management-tips/

I plan to take these ideas further by directing my first questions to a fellow peer and blogging my thoughts. I am plan to brainstorm in a similar way as I did for a rehearsal with a class environment and compare the similarities and differences. Any thoughts from my fellow bloggers are also appreciated!

Module Two - Developing lines of inquiry

If you have taken the time to read some of my previous blog posts you will notice that there is a very big time gap between this post and my previous one! Since the end of Module One and receiving my results I have been continuing with the work I built upon in the module and developing my career in the meantime. I have read the Module Two handbook and readers and for sometime been thinking of possible inquiry and question options. However I struggle to consolidate these ideas into blog posts to then share with my fellow peers. I have notepad after notepad of jotted ideas, diagrams and lists but often feel uneasy about how to portray them in a post. This is something I need to improve upon in order to be a part of a successful SIG this module!

My struggles initiated a line of thought which could lead to a possible inquiry. I began to think about the relationship between motivation and independent learning. As a self employed performer and teacher most of my work is self-motivated and relies entirely on my own decision making. I want to look at what triggers there are for self-motivation and the affects this can have your work. Here are some questions I have developed.

What different methods are there to discover what inspires and motivates your work?

What effect would discovering what motivates me have on the work I do?

Are there any changes I could implement in my work once I discover these motivating factors?

Would changing the way I think about my own work process effect the people I work with amd the work they produce?

Now I have developed a line of thought for inquiry I am going to  research in order to develop some further ideas. I have been in contact with a fellow BAPP Module Two student Lizzie and have arranged a Skype session for next week. I look forward to developing my ideas over the weekend, sharing them with her and seeing what we can develop together.