I’m back!! Miss me? Don’t worry! Normal service is resuming!
It’s been a wild time for me personally of late, which resulted in me having to take a step back from all extra curriculars – SmartPonders being one of those! However, now i’m on holiday, and have put some distance between this last term, I’m back! This ponder serves to celebrate the work of the fourth-year students and their contributions to the annual Swansong Performer’s showcase.
This time of year is always bitter-sweet, as it’s when the fourth years, most of whom I’ve taught and supported over the last four years, move on to the next chapter of their lives. It’s amazing to see how much they’ve grown and achieved, but equally sad as they are no longer part of your day to day. They don’t warn you that about teaching. The part when the students leave…
On the 25th of April 2022 the fourth-year students on the BA (hons) Drama and Production degree shared their autonomous practitioner projects to the world. There were twenty-minute solo performances that they had each been working on over the past year. The idea being it’s a culmination of four years of development, skill, and practice. It was entirely up to them what they produced, with some opting for live, some opting for digital, and some opting for autobiographical, some for fiction and some for the down-right disturbing.
This ponder celebrates the importance of authenticity in their performances and the golden nuggets of beauty and love that I’m taking away from it all.
Before I go on, it’s important to establish what I mean by authenticity. The dictionary definition defines it as ‘of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine.’ The word originality coming to mind. Without a doubt, the pieces created by the students were just that; original and authentic.
A Second Chance at Life
The first piece to kick off the event, titled A Second Chance at Life used both live performance and pre-recorded media – an honest and heart-warming celebration of one student’s experience of adoption. It demonstrated beautifully what family means, with a visual presentation of the achievements of both parents and their love for the student and her siblings. There is usually a moment in each piece that I watch that is the ‘awh’ or the ‘wow’ or the ‘yikes’ or even the ‘what?!’ For this piece, it came when the student as a child asked her mother about not coming from her mother’s tummy, the mother replied,
You may not have grown in my stomach, but you did grow in my heart. And that’s what matters most.
A Second Chance at Life
I’m not ashamed to say there was a small tear that began to form. It made my heart cosy. My takeaway from the piece – once you find your family, hold on to them.
Press Pause
The second piece of the day was a live performance one woman show that provided an honest account of the pressures young people face. This autobiographical piece celebrated mistakes, opportunities not taken, and the notion that there is more than one road to get to your destination. It was funny and it was heart-felt. So much of the story resonated with my own journey to where I am today, and I found myself in agreement with the sentiments of the piece. The highlight being…
When people tell you to grow up – say no.
Press Pause
Say it louder for those in the back…
Rosaline
This was a treat! A witty one-person exposé on the life and influence of Rosaline from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Julliet. Told from the character’s perspective she asks what if she’d have been less dismissive of Romeo, would Romeo have still been mesmerised by Julliet? So many what ifs and all of them plausible! The defining moment being when Rosaline’s awareness comes full circle, when she says,
When you’re not a character, but a plot device.’
Rosaline
I loved this line, because there have been times in the past when I think about the role I play in my life and the role I play in the lives of others. A cracking ponder point for sure!
In Creation
So… funny story. This piece was stunning. An autobiographical film about identity, belonging and rediscovering who you are and what defines you when things don’t work out the way you’ve planned them in your head. Once the film was over, the student was in the back room, I went through to check on her. Well, that was my intention. As I’ve said, it’s an emotional time especially when your work is shared, and you realise that the finish line of fourth year isn’t all that far away. However, rather than comfort her, I found myself fighting back the tears, as I struggled to say what I desperately wanted to. Generally speaking, whilst I do consider myself to be an emotional person, when I’m in a work context, this is never a problem, unless I’m acting. However, something about her film just hit. So much of what was said hit home regarding my own journey with my chronic illness to where I am now.
When you spend your life doing things for other people, who are you when people aren’t around?
In Creation
The Tale of Henry the Happy Pumpkin
Henry dreams of a life beyond the farm. He can’t wait to move to the big city to see what’s in store. This multi-media puppet performer tale was full of twists and turns. The best part for me was seeing the piece alive and on stage. It was four years ago that Henry first came into being in an HNC class where the student wrote his tale then. To see the piece now realised into performance is a wonderful testament to the learning journey and being open to the possibilities of the work you create. Never bin ideas, merely shelf them, because you’ll never know when they’ll appear again.
N.D.E.
An intimate and at times unsettling exploration of death served on an in-the-round platter. It crossed languages, headspaces, and the physical and metaphysical worlds. It asked the question what happens when we die. It’s something that, I’ll be honest, I don’t consider all that often. Mostly because I don’t like to think about it. I guess there are many out there that will relate. Even though it’s a given that we all will die, I’d rather focus my energies on living, rather than waiting to die. Regardless, it was an eerie performance that was thought-provoking and gave me plenty to ponder!
Growth
An exploration of what Growth means grounded in the idea of knowing you have boots, knowing you can fill them, but embracing the journey to get there. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t actually get to see this performance. Between the break from the last piece, I nipped out to the bathroom, leaving my access pass in the performing arts studio. By the time I got back from the bathroom, the doors were locked, and I had no way of getting in. Thankfully, we had the performances recorded so I can see the journey taken to get those boots filled!
Power Surge!
A short film about the menopause told from the perspective of a vlogger documenting their quest for knowledge and solidarity. A well-written, emotional, and heart-warming insight into the value of connecting with people and sharing experiences. Within the film, a support network called the ‘Sweaty Bettys’ was formed, a network that should absolutely be a thing. I like to think of myself as a bit away from the menopause yet, but as with all challenges I have encountered, they are best tackled with a supportive group of people behind you.
Journ.
Another short film that explored mental health. It was told as a first-person narrative highlighting challenges and documenting the process of filming the film within the film. It was authentic, heart-breaking in points, but also inspiring. A showcase of strength when the odds are stacked against you. The student was unable to make the choice between calling the film journey or journal. A good thing, as I think Journ captures it beautifully. The key message to celebrate being…
You are alive.
Journ.
Mary
A beautiful celebration of love, family, and legacy. This homage to Granny Mary demonstrated the ways in which her love for her friends, family and life still exists today, through the many people she loved, and who loved her in return. I’m not ashamed to say I cried. It was beautiful and made me think of my own Nana and the life lessons she has instilled, and continues to instil, in me today.
Addicted
An insight into the realities of addiction. The impact for the individual, but also those around them. A heart-wrenching performance that highlighted some of the complexities that aren’t so easily seen from those out looking in. It’s often too easy to have an opinion when you’re on the outside. It was a connected, and truthful snapshot of a family’s struggle.
The Dame
The final instalment of Swansong 2022 celebrated the Panto Dame. This short film saw the transformation before our very eyes, as the actor put on their makeup and costume reminiscing about the trials and tribulations, as well as the jokes and joy of pantomime. It was great to see snippets from past Dame performances mixed in there too. A comedic representation of the cross-roads between him and her, that showed despite the ups and downs, the Dame will always get her way.
The Joy in Authenticity
There is no doubting that they past two and a half years have been challenging, and that those challenges continue. But what I take solace in is the resourcefulness and resilience of the students I get to work with. They continue to push, to surprise, to develop, to explore, and to create. This was never more evident than in this showcase, with authenticity being at the forefront. That despite odds being stacked against them, they pulled through with vigour and sass. And that’s what I’m here for.
So, here’s to the first graduating cohort on the BA (hons) Drama and Production programme. You’re all amazing and I’m so proud of the people, and the creatives you’ve become.
Congratulations to the Swansong class of 2022.
This has been a SmartPonders.
Thanks for reading x
SmartPonders 