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Skills I've developed from my time at Roehampton University

I can now write a well-structured review under 500 words

I have a good understanding of a narrative story structure (the 8 point story arc)

I have a well-rounded understanding of different styles of theatre

I know how to structure and format a stage play, screenplay, essay and short story

I know how to carry out an interview and get the most from my interviewee

I have a broad understanding of many aspects of the theatre

I learned how to light a stage correctly and how to alter the mood through 'Lighting Design' class

I learned how to draw and paint my own costume designs and how to think creatively whilst portraying accurately a specific era of clothing in 'Costume Design' class

I learned how to balance the stage with movement of characters and how to show subtext through action in 'Directing' class

I learned how to write in a variety of genres and communicate my ideas effectively in 'Playwriting' class.

I know how to correctly write a formal letter/e-mail

I have new gymnastics, tumbling and cheerleading skills

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I have gained many skills from my time studying at Roehampton University- most of all I have gained confidence in my own opinions.

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Part Time Work During University Studies

Throughout my time at Roehampton I have worked with an events company, Mjr Tom, selling refreshments at concerts, football and rugby games. This required me to be proactive and confident in approaching people. After one year at the company I was trusted enough to be appointed as a ‘money taker’ where I was in charge of a group of sellers, counting their money at intervals to check they were giving the correct change and identifying fake notes. This required me to have a sense of leadership and authority when taking charge of a group of people as well as making sure my mental maths was accurate.

I currently work as a part-time PA and office assistant at Bound and Gagged Comedy for which I am expected to be assertive and use my initiative; making calls to venues, in-putting accurate sales figures and chasing contracts.

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A Side Note: Hobbies

Whilst studying at Roehampton University both the Cheerleading team (Roehampton Rascals) and the Drama society (Roehampton Players) have had a big impact on my overall experience at University.

Cheerleading- whilst being a fantastic community and network of friends it has also taught me lots of new skills and techniques. I am now able to do a backwards walkover, back handspring and perform as part of a dedicated team. It’s also kept my fitness level up and I hope to join an "Allstars" (competitive) team to compete with after I graduate.

Players- Spending time with a group of like-minded people and having the opportunity to perform in a number of Shakespeare and Musical productions has not only enhanced my stage skills but also my university experience. I am now more confident in my abilities on the stage as well as leaving university with a very close group of friends.

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Dennis Kelly's The Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas was the first play I reviewed.

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Inspirational Figures

Pina Bausch

In the first year drama module 'Thinking Through Theatre' we based our final performance around the work of Pina Bausch. Primarily a movement-based piece that included disjointed snippets of conversation from our own phonetic language. Pina Bausch’s work had a huge influence on the devised performance I did in 1st year and I continue to be intrigued by her fascinating style. I have watched several videos of her work since this module purely for enjoyment.

Dennis Kelly

I have always enjoyed Dennis Kelly’s plays on the page, having read several of them and performed scenes from three. However it was not until 2013 that I finally had the opportunity to see a play of his, The Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas, performed. It was almost three hours long but I was engrossed throughout the play. This was also the first play I reviewed for my 'Theatre Criticism' class; I’ve never felt more desperate to share my opinion of something before. I felt passionately that everyone should see this play and so began my fascination with reviewing plays.

Michael Billington

During the 'Theatre Criticism' module I had the opportunity to meet renowned theatre critic Michael Billington, an expert in the field, having been writing theatre criticism for more than 40 years. I was inspired by his words,

“Be honest, be truthful to your experience at the time [...] put the play in some kind of context. The context of your own experience of life [...] your own knowledge of the world.” (Interview 15.11.2014)

Catherine Love

Catherine Love is a freelance theatre critic, journalist, editor and copywriter who started her career with blogging. I heard her speak on the National Theatre Criticism podcast from 2013, discussing her struggles when she first set up her blog,

“My first step was just starting a blog […] It was quite easy to get my voice out there but equally it does take a while to feel like anyone is listening to that voice. There is quite a great democratisation through blogs, but still you can feel like you’re talking to a void.”

Available at: https://soundcloud.com/nationaltheatre/theatre-criticism [last accessed: 03/02/2014]

As a young female, relatively new to theatre criticism, who has been successful in the business she is my inspiration as I launch into the world with a degree, a blog and the vain hope that someone will one day pay me to write!

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Writing for the Internet Class (3rd year)

In this module I learned about innovative form and the variety of ways through which a writer can present their work; interactive Twine stories, Blogs and Twitter novels are just a few. At the time I was studying this class I was considering setting up my blog for theatre criticism- learning more about these self-publishing formats gave me the confidence to start my blog. I also saw how the digital revolution could be a positive step for new writers in helping them to get their voices heard, rather than only being seen as having a negative and crushing effect on print form.

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Screenwriting Class (3rd year)

Learning the art of screenwriting was a skill I found very useful to diversifying my capabilities. This was also another way I explored non-fiction, branching out from autobiographical narratives to a documentary style screenplay which taught me how to obtain essential and accurate information to enhance my script. This was also the first time I had carried out an interview, acting as interviewer rather than interviewee. One of the things I was concerned about was ensuring I had precise research on my interviewee and a range of relevant questions planned prior to the interview as well as being prepared to improvise new questions relative to his answers. This helped me to think on my feet and collate information in an interesting way in my finalised film script.

Another part of this module I found challenging was the proposal for the script; summarising and advertising my own work without sounding arrogant as well as guaranteeing I had included all the relevant information. This, I found, has been similar to constructing a CV in the way it showcases the strengths of my work. I am currently working on a new proposal for a different module and I know that my Screenwriting class has given me a head start on where to begin with proposals and will aid me with my latest project.

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This is something I heard from Lis Austin during her class 'Performance, Gender and Sexuality'.

This is something that I found very relatable, not just with regards to sexuality, but with many things in life. Everything is not as simple as being black and white; either/or and we should accept that many things are far more complicated than this, resisting the urge to define and identify everything. I like to think that I can apply this open-mindedness to everyday life, not feeling a necessity to categorise everything or everyone.

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Off the back of the 'Theatre Criticism' module I was inspired to give myself a head start in the theatre world by setting up a blog where I post my own theatre reviews. This has been a great way of forcing me to write regularly and will also provide me with a portfolio of work to show to prospective employers.

Here is a link to the blog:

http://aftertheatresend.blogspot.co.uk

(NB: it is a little sparse currently as I have had to withhold from posting to avoid self-plagiarising)

#kmap

'Theatre Criticism' has without a doubt been my favourite module of my three years at university. Through this module I finally realised what I wanted to do; I found my niche. It is a harmonious combination of my joint Creative Writing and Drama degree, marrying the two things I love and enjoy most. Over the course of studying creative writing I have discovered that I prefer to write non-fiction, so theatre criticism couldn’t have been more perfect, it enables me to share my own thoughts and opinions whilst appreciating a beautiful art form.

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'The Light Show' (2013) was an exhibition of art inspired by and experimenting with lights at the Southbank Centre. There was one particular piece that captured my attention; a hollow, oval shaped beam of light shone from one side of the room, widening to a cone at the other end. A fine mist was also being continuously pumped into the room which made the light seem tangible, creating a kind of tunnel.

I stood within the tunnel and a feeling of euphoria flooded me. It was close to enlightenment, the feeling that one could be within something that actually didn't exist, like sitting on a cloud or walking on water. It seemed to be how people would describe "walking into the light" when they are close to death.

I have not been so touched by something that did not physically interact with me or literally speak to me before. I have been affected in this way during a poem or a song for example, but with an inanimate object, I have not experienced such profound emotion before. I was awakened to the influences that art was capable of and I always strive to reach a similar connection with the audience when I write or perform.

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The second year module 'Writing Fiction' was the first time I had written a complete fiction story using the correct techniques such as the eight point story arc. It was an arduous task and at times I felt close to giving up before I had finished the story. Knowing now the sense of pride I had when it was finally finished encourages me to continue writing when I'm struggling.

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'Performance Text' was a week-long intensive playwriting class I took last summer at Roehampton University that I found to be incredibly free and creative. This module taught me to push the boundaries of my creativity, forget "the norm" and really explore the possibilities of the stage instead of restricting myself to a Stanislavskian-style 4th wall set that shuts out the audience. This class was less about realism and more about symbolism; finding the best ways to express a story on stage. We focused on the work of Harold Pinter and Samuel Beckett, playwrights I’d only touched upon before. I was incredibly intrigued by their non-conformist styles and enjoyed exploring new types of theatre, expanding my knowledge and learning about new possibilities for my own writing.

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'Contextual Writing Practice' was my first real experience of non-fiction. For this module I wrote about my experiences abroad, whilst abroad, so there were no classes, only a tutor to review my work when I returned to Roehampton. This taught me to be organised with my work, setting aside time when needed to write, as there were no classes to ensure I was getting the work done. This meant it was necessary for me to take responsibility over when I got the work done and certainly made me more aware of time management.

This module was also, as I said, my first time writing non-fiction. I never thought I would enjoy it so much. I wrote five short auto-biographical pieces on my experiences abroad including a seven hour road trip to the mountains and my first ever Thanksgiving. This was when I discovered how much I enjoy non-fiction, perhaps a turning point for me in my writing- discovering how exciting autobiographical pieces can be.

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Whilst studying in America I was keen to try new things and went skydiving with a friend. Skydiving was an irreplaceable experience and an unforgettable memory. I came away from it with a stronger sense of ambition and the feeling that I could do anything. The huge exhilaration gave me new confidence in my ability to overcome fear. I now feel more determined in everything I do.

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