Goals for the Class
Below is a copy of the first journal reflection I did in class. In this reflection, we were asked what are goals were for the course and how we planned on achieving them.
Original Goal
My official goal that I mad for myself at the start of the year was to be more confident and deliberate with the movement/acting decisions I made throughout the class and beyond.
Progress on the Goal
This goal is still being actively worked on even as the semester comes to a close. I can certainly say that I have made progress upon my original statement. This class has pushed me to become more disciplined in my work. Instead of giving anything below 100% effort, I strive with each rehearsal, workshop, and performance to give my craft my full energy. Even when an idea for something does not work out, I have realized that it is still important to workshop it and put it out into the universe because that is the only way to find out what ideas do end up working.
Despite becoming more prepared and intentional with my work, I can feel myself trusting my work and my practice more than ever before. At the beginning of this course, I was extremely timid in showcasing any work in front of my peers. I was afraid of being judged, and I was terrified that these fellow theatre students would think that I do not have what it takes to further advance my performing arts studies.
However, as the class went on and the rest of the students gave me support and constructive feedback, I realized that the most negative critic of my potential was myself. The one moment that made me realize that I was my own biggest obstacle was at the end of out first devised solo piece presentation. After performing, I felt completely confident in my choices for the movements, music, etc. I was proud of the culmination of effort I just showcased in front of my peers. From then on, I was more eager to participate in class exercises, take on more leadership in group presentations, and to shed all of the anxiety and discomfort I previously let weigh me down.
Looking back on the time in THTR 331, I can affirm that I have successfully achieved my goal, but that does not mean I am done with it all together. I still have room to be even more confident in my abilities. Going forward, I want to use this experience to reassure myself whenever I am consuming myself in doubt. I want to take all the feedback I have gotten in the course and use it to propel me forward as a performer and a person.