Task C - Kolb's learning cycle

Kolb’s Learning Cycle - My experience

Kolb’s learning cycle is never ending. Anything you think or do in your life can fit in to the cycle. The layers on it just constantly build up as you go round and round, thinking, trying and doing new things. You can chose to look at the cycle from a certain point but there will also be another point that will have got you to the place at which you chose to focus on.

For example I am choosing to reflect on a dance audition I attended. A new learning cycle started with this experience. However before I did the audition came a whole other learning cycle. I had learnt skills at college needed for the audition (concrete experience). Reviewed and reflected on past experiences to help me decide what was appropriate for this audition (reflective observation). I then concluded (abstract conceptualisation) on my thought and made a decision about how to perform and what to wear. Then attended the audition and tried out my conclusions (active experimentation).

Concrete Experience
I attended an open audition for a dancing job. We had to learn a commercial dance routine and then perform it in groups of four for the judging panel. Then we lined up and they picked people to stay on to the next round. Unfortunately I got cut and subsequently did not get the job.
This is a concrete experience because it actually happened and is not affected by emotions. It fits the cycle as it is something I did and therefore have as an experience. I had this experience because I went to dance college and wanted to put in to practice skills I have learnt, this meaning I attended as active experimentation.

Having this concrete experience lead me on to the stage of reflective observation.

Reflective Observation
On reflection I did not wear the right clothing and subsequently did not have the right ‘look’ the employer wanted to hire. This made me feel uncomfortable as I did not look suitable and this carried across in to my performance, as I was not confident. I do not view myself as a commercial dancer. Therefore when we started doing the routine I did not believe I could do it. The dance style is one I am not comfortable with. I did not perform well due to the fact I was uncomfortable and did not believe I could do it. In order to review myself more I asked my friend how I performed and looked; she said my face showed uncertainty and my look was not right. This is reflective observation because it is my review of the event. It is what I have felt by thinking back (reflecting). I believe in order to get an all round perspective of an experience you need someone else’s opinions. This is because sometimes you believe what you want and therefore do not reflect on the truth/concrete experience. Subsequently, in order to be capable of reflective observation an outsider’s opinion of your experience is needed.
The reflective observation I did lead me on to abstract conceptualisation

Abstract Conceptualisation
From this experience I learnt and concluded a number of things. For commercial dance work, choreographers want an inspiring look. They want an image that is different and stands out from the crowd. I wore black leggings and tight top. This look was uninspiring and did not get me noticed. Therefore I know not to wear this outfit to a commercial audition again and am going to get some outfits prepared for future auditions. For the routine, the choreographer wanted us to be sexy with our hair. However because mine is so thick and long I cannot dance with it down lose. And due to it being all one length when it is tied back I get an instant ballerina look, the complete opposite of sexy, funky commercial dancers. I have come to the conclusion I need a re-style of my hair in order for it to work up or down, because if I cannot do what the employer wants I am not going to get hired. I also concluded that I need to become more confident in commercial dance. So much dance work requires many genres in this day and age. If I am weak and unconfident at commercial dance it is going to hinder my employability. Therefore I need to increase my exposure to the style, I feel the more I do the better I will become and this will increase my confidence. If you don’t believe in your own abilities know-one else will, consequently I did not get the job.

This is abstract conceptualisation because it is what I have taken from the experience and learnt/concluded. This is done to help make experiences in the future more profitable and prosperous. If you do not conclude or learn anything from an experience it was pointless as it means you have no feelings towards it and did not gain anything. Life evolves because people learn from experiences therefore abstract conceptualisation is a natural but necessary process.

Active Experimentation
Active experimentation is the planning/trying out of what has been learnt in previous stages of Kolb’s learning cycle. I put in to practice what I abstract conceptualised in regards to my audition experience.
I have planned to wear an outfit that will catch the panel’s eye. It is a black cut out swimsuit with either baggy trousers or black leggings. This is dependent of the style and because sometimes tight clothing is requested. My hair has been re-styled! It is shorter with lots of layers. This means I can wear it up or down and it has more volume, and I have some red flowers to clip in it, which should hopefully draw the choreographer to look at me. Due to the fact I was not confident I have decided that I need to forget my own worries and take on the personality of a new character. Therefore I have created an alter ego for myself, who is confident and a commercial dancer. When I go to auditions now I will pretend I am this person in order to portray the character the employer wants. Classes in commercial dance were something I decided were necessary. I am going to try and attend as many commercial classes I can afford, and not always pick the standard jazz class. These should help me improve and with improvement will hopefully come a job.

Results/Outcome
A week after this audition, I attended a cruise audition. Cruise ship dancing is what I would ideally like to do at the moment. I wore my new outfit, had my hair re-styled and believed I was the character I have created. Auditions for cruises can be make you do a number of dance styles. In this audition, during the first re-call we were required to do commercial dance. Normally I would panic during this section, and probably get cut. However this time I felt calm and just thought positive things. I did not get cut and made it through the final cuts!

Reflection...

Kolb's learning cycle

Today we attended Middlesex University, where we got to interact with our peers. Our main topic of converstation was Kolb's learning cycle.

Stage 1: Concrete experience (Doing, having the experience)
We learnt that this is a fact that has happened, with not emotional attachmenent.

Stage 2: Reflective observation (Reviewing, relfecting on the experience)
This is what we have seen, witnessed, experienced...

Stage 3: Abstract conceptualistion (Concluding, learning from the experience)
This is what you have learnt from the experience.

Stage 4: Active experimentation (Planning, trying out what you have learnt)
Putting into practice what we have learnt.


Reflecting upon essays that we have read today, we can now understand better how to dissect and what is useful information and what is emotive writing. For example, sentences such as, 'This is nice' has not value or meaning, because it does fit into any stage of the cycle, to do so it would need to be expanded.

We also learnt about the learning diary:
-Honest
-Cue Memory
-Enjoyable
-Evaluate
-Descriptive
-Relfective
-Focus, notice re-occurences
-Develop action
-Give evidence to back up thoughts

If the diary does not contain these elements, then it is worthless as it cannot be used in the future, or be reflected on, and experiences will not be able to be drawn upon.

General Interests - Make Up

Make Up

You have probably read make up and thought who is this vain person?! That would be me...however I hope when you have finished reading this you understand why it interests me, and think I am more than a plastic Barbie doll!

I have always loved make up, I think it started with a passion for glitter and as I grew older I naturally had to develop that love in to a more demure look. For me make up is a bit like acting. You can make yourself in to whoever you want to be. I find it fascinating how one brush of rouge lipstick can instantly change people’s perception of you. I love the fact that someone can look in the mirror and feel depressed, give them a few coats of mascara, some blusher and lipstick, look again and feel instantly uplifted.

I understand it is what is on the inside that counts, but I believe the inside feels a lot happier if the outside looks good to! I know if I have to leave the house without being able to put concealer on the big spot in the middle of my forehead I feel self conscious, and not as vibrant or confident. That is insecurity, but I know most people have it to or the beauty industry wouldn't be so profitable. When I look good I feel more motivated to do things as I am more confident.

Being a dancer you need make up. Without it on stage you wouldn’t be able to define performer’s eyes and mouths. If I went into an audition bare faced no one would take notice of me. However if I walk in with fake eyelashes, rouged lips and copious amounts of blusher you would definitely be more drawn to look at me. If only because of all the glitter reflecting off my face! Nevertheless I will have caught your eye and you will then see me dance! After all the performing arts are all about attracting attention!

When I am not dancing I work for TBC, a beauty and fashion temping agency. I have worked on many different cosmetics counters thus learning all about them. It fascinates me how many products are out there and how many women buy in to every miracle cream or foundation in a bid for ever youthful, dewy skin. I love it when someone walks away from my counter feeling a million times more confident simply because of some powder in a box.

Of course there is more to make up than just cosmetic purposes. It is used in theatre and television to create wounds, age people and any other look desired to enhance the believability of a scene. I love how quickly an affect is created and how other people can believe it is real. Make up is art work except it only lasts a few hours and you take it off at night.

My 5 top resources

My 5 top resources for my professional work

1. the stage - up to date articles and auditions

The stage is a performing arts newspaper. It contains articles about the industry and auditions. It is essential to read if you are an out of work performer as it contains auditions to get you back into work.
I check the website almost for jobs and without it I wouldn’t have a clue what was happening. The jobs are screened in an easy to view way which means you don’t have to spend hours searching and it is updated regularly. The newspaper also contains listings of shows. Being a performer it is vital you see performances so that you know what the current styles are and what future jobs could be out there.

2. pineapple dance studios - classes
Without Pineapple dance studios many dancers careers would not have the longevity they do. Pineapple provides daily classes in all styles of dance for all levels. It has a pay on the day policy. This works brilliantly because in the dance industry nobody knows where they will be from one day to the next. It is fantastic because without regular classes a dancer will lose their stamina, strength, technique and style.
Pineapple is one of a few places that does professional classes therefore it is always highly populated with people, which can be great for making contacts and checking out the competition! There are also auditions, photographers, physiotherapist’s information and anything else you might need posted all over the walls. Professional auditions are regularly held at pineapple, so without it who knows if auditions would be held at all, and then nobody would get a job!

3. facebook - social networking
In this day and age most people have Facebook! Consequently you should not overlook it as being merely a time fiiler.
It allows you to keep in touch easily with anybody, anywhere. This is great because who knows when somebody might be able to help you professionally. More and more people are posting auditions on facebook and setting up groups to advertise jobs, classes, agencies and for performers to network. This week alone I have gained an important contact and found an audition on facebook.
I expect in time it will become a bigger database for auditions.

4. music notes - sheet music
Music notes is an online database of sheet music that you can buy. It is great because if you find out you have an audition and have to sing a set song you can go on music notes download the song and print it out. I am yet to search for a song it does not have.
For me music notes is great because I cannot play the piano. Music notes has a programme you download and then every song you buy it can play it to you following the sheet music exactly. You can slow it down, speed up, transpose and play individual notes – basically like having a pianist play for you!
I teach singing and get some random requests, so for me the simplicity of being able to find a song and learn it so easily is fantastic.

5. star now - casting work
Star now is an online casting network for absolutely anything and everything from dancing to reality TV. Star now is a new discovery to me so I do not have as much experience with it as my other 4 resources. However I am finding it to be invaluable! It contains endless opportunities, all the odd, small, miscellaneous jobs the stage might not advertise. As a performer when you need a job the scale of it does not matter!
Star now also has posts by photographers, lists crew jobs, extra work. Whatever type of contact or job you want in the performing arts industry star now will have it.
I am hoping the more I get to grips with the website the more I will find to help me!

Scuba Diving - General Interests

General Interests

Scuba Diving

I am a dancer, singer and actress so therefore when I want to escape from work completely I can’t do what most people do and watch general entertainment. If I am watching a show I can’t help but analyse and critique, and if I go dancing I naturally hold my stomach in and employ technique! Therefore another interest in my life is vital for my sanity.

Scuba Diving is what I chose to do! What better escape from the bright lights of the stage than to be under the sea in a wetsuit and a mask? I did my first scuba dive 10 years ago, when I was age 12. My dad wanted to go and I think I just tagged along! From the moment I put my head underwater and started breathing I was hooked.

Since taking the plunge I have completed my open water, advanced open water, 3 specialities, emergency first response and rescue diver qualifications. I have dived in Mexico, Fujairah, Cozumel, Maldives and the Perhentian Islands and I hope to add more to my diving resume. For me holidays include getting up at 7am to get a morning boat out to the middle of the ocean and never getting a tan because I am constantly in a wetsuit!

I don’t know what it is that I love so much because if I am honest fish do not interest me that much. It might possibly be that I do not have to worry about what I look like, nobody can critique me, the silence and the fact that for the sixty minutes I am underwater I have to think of nothing but my breathing. The excitement of the unknown and the possibilities of what could happen are an addiction to me. As I roll back off the boat I am hit with an instant adrenaline rush, then as I descend to the depths of the unknown calm takes over and I feel free.

If you are interested in scuba diving click on the title of this blog entry and you will be directed to PADI homepage where you can learn more about diving!

Andrew Lloyd Webber - People I Admire

People I admire

3. Andrew Lloyd Webber

I am sure that anyone reading this will know who Andrew Lloyd Webber is! If not, he is the most famous current British musical theatre composer. The west end is currently shadowed with shows he has written. Whether you are a musical fan or not, you cannot deny the talent Lloyd Webber has for creating them. The amount of musicals he has managed to create is certainly worthy of admiration. The list of awards and recognition he has received over the years is endless and cannot be rivalled. He boasts Grammy, Tony and Academy awards for best musical, best song and best score.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is from a musical family, so it seemed only natural for him to enter the world of composing. He published his first piece aged nine! He has composed fourteen musicals as well as a number of film scores and a requiem mass, and set up the ‘Really useful group’, which is the largest theatre operator in London. If Lloyd Webber success is not worthy of admiration, I don’t know whose is. His achievements were recognised by the state when he was knighted in 1992 and declared a Baron in 1997.

Musicals penned by the composer include Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat (I love it for the infectious and sing-a-long quality) and Jesus Christ Superstar. I admire these works because I think what a genius idea to turn bible stories into musicals! Starlight express is another hit; this musical is one of the longest running shows in history. Phantom of the Opera was written by Lloyd Webber in 1986 and is now the longest running show on Broadway and the most lucrative entertainment enterprise of all time. Other musicals include CATS, Evita, Aspects of Love, Sunset Boulevard and Whistle Down the Wind, as well as more that he has written and produced.

Without Andrew Lloyd Webber the words musical theatre would not mean the same thing they do today. I admire Andrew Lloyd Webber because his work his responsible for my chosen path in life and because of his ability to strike emotion in people by the stroke of a note.

Link to Andrew Lloyd Webber on Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Lloyd_Webber

Link to Andrew Lloyd Webber's website

http://www.andrewlloydwebber.com/

Stephen Mear - people I admire

People I admire

2. Stephen Mear

Stephen Mear is the choreographer of the moment. His works currently appear on Broadway, the West End and many touring productions across the world. His work is innovative and inspiring which has led him to receive numerous awards including Laurence Olivier award and Tony award for best choreography.

I admire him for the works he has produced, the performing career he has had and for the fact he has not let it affect him and still treats everyone with respect and care. I have been fortunate enough to work with Stephen Mear (if briefly) and see the way he executes his ideas. He is so clear and precise, that to work with him as a dancer is easier than most choreographers. Mear’s ability to dictate means his work is clean and all ideas are maximised (which is what every choreographer wants!) Consequently I admire him for achieving his vision.

His choreographic works include ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘Mary Poppins’, ‘On the town’, ‘Anything Goes’ and ‘Acorn Anitques’ to name but a few. Each time his choreography is different and exciting, however there always his obvious style which has been influenced by his Matt Mattox training. I love his work because I have been Matt Mattox trained and I find it inspirational to see him take set movements and make them original over and over again.

Stephen Mear also boasts a performing career any artist would be jealous of and can’t help but admire. He has appeared in Evita, Cats, 42nd Street, Follies and Some like it Hot on the West End. Even if performing was his only career path I would admire him, but with his choreographic resume as well I cannot help but tilt my head back and look up at him with admiration.

Link to article about Stephen mear's career
http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/8118

Example of Stephen Mear chroeography:
the little mermaid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DUXVAg7oWg&feature=related

mary poppins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VNGIQ51aiw&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=1B6CF3BE5A13E8E8&index=1

Lisa Donmall - people I admire

People I admire

1. Lisa Donmall

Lisa Donmall is a professional musical theatre performer. She has an exceptional number of credits to her name and is still adding to them. I admire Lisa because her CV reads like I wish mine to in years to come.

Lisa trained at London Studio Centre under the same directors as I have myself, then at Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey New York. These establishments are extremely prestigious and the acceptance to train here is to be admired. Lisa has performed as Velma Kelly in the musical Chicago. This is my dream role and I consequently admire anyone who has ever had this role. Lisa has starred as Bombalurina in Cats. Anyone is the musical theatre world knows to be part of Cats shows you are of the highest calibre of performer. More recently Lisa performed her own one woman show. To have your own show in the musical industry is definitely and achievement not to be overlooked.

I know Lisa personally as she was a teacher of mine whilst I was in full time training for musical theatre. Lisa is the most driven and motivated person I have ever come across. Her average day consists of going to the gym, teaching, rehearsals and then performing in a west end show. The dedication needed to do this is admirable and I take great inspiration from seeing someone push themselves so hard.

Lisa is extremely talented and I have spent years training to try and gain the standard she performs at. However I know that she has worked hard to get the skill level and career she has, even when teaching jazz she pushes her body and uses it to improve. Knowing she has worked hard and not just had a great career due to luck makes me admire her more.
Having trained and therefore understanding exactly what is needed for the performing world and how incredibly hard it is no matter how talented you are; I cannot help but admire Lisa Donmall. Her drive and commitment for what she does is inspirational and the amount of musical roles she has won has to be admired.

Link to Lisa Donmall's biography and recent show
http://theoperashow.com/promoters/cast-bios-lisa-donmall.php
http://www.themta.co.uk/faculty_dance.php

Link to Lisa Donmall information of her Chicago contract
http://london.broadway.com/blog/id/3004780/LisaDonmallTakesOverasVelmaKellyinLondon%E2%80%99sChicago