The Journal: Finding My Theatre Voice By Aditi Soni (Yr 12 IB DP Theatre student) A journal in theatre is steeped in reflection,
level, taking away some of your power. The chair is
growth, self-expression and/or self-exploration.
used to show that in relationships you settle, you
As an IB theatre student, journaling has been
stop fighting and sit, compromise or sometimes
requisite to identifying areas for improvement. As
fully give in. Its use with levels also shows the loss in
a theatre-maker, journaling has been essential to
power, although the actor sitting may still be the
helping me find my theatrical voice. A journal is
focal point you can see the actor behind towering
a constant debate within the mind of the creator,
over them, which not only takes away from their
a transformative discussion between the voice of
size but makes them look submissive therefore
your past mind and the voice you are beginning to
giving the power and weight to the actor behind.'
express. Personally, I see journalism as a physical manifestation of the metamorphosis of my
This reflection gave grounds for me to explore
theatrical brain paired with the amplification of
object transformation which then became a central
analytical skills. However, despite my emphasis on
idea in Fragments. It furthered my ideas and
personal transfiguration surrounding mind and
understanding of levels. This allowed me to then
work, journaling is also the process of deliberating
refer back to my own devising.
around the ideas and works of others. This is essential for an artistic mind to grow and develop.
‘Relation to Fragments: Kantas story, the theme of
For example, I used this style of journaling whilst
control and independence. Kanta is independent
devising Fragments. Fragments emerged from
and self-reliant. When her qualifications are
stories within our company, ten stories of powerful
stripped from her the desire to be able to control
women, our ancestors. It was an exploration of
her own life and profession is prevalent. There is a
diversity, memory transformation. During this
point of realisation that she has to give in to the
process, I used many works of theatre to help sprout
now overwhelming power this country has over her.
ideas for our piece and expand my conception of
It leads us to an understanding of the new form of
expression. This could later be connected to the
dismissal she will experience due to her race and
stories we were telling. For example, I reflected
gender. The image of the struggle represents her
on a piece called Particles, directed by Jack
disbelief and her hanker for having what she once
Hesketh, who used animation, light and object transformation to express movement through time in relationships. ‘I think the intention of this moment is to show dominance and reliance in some relationships - whether that's a relationship with an object, person or emotion. It's a visualisation of the control a relationship has over you, the control you allow it to have over you. The moment uses a chair. A chair is an object you use to rest to take the strain off your legs, it’s an object that shrinks you, lowers your
19
