Diploma in Perfor

Performing &
Production Arts
Unit 8 Project Proposal

Candidate Emma Grace Preston

Name
Candidate 371351
Number
Pathway Acting

Project Title A series of public apologies

Section 1: Review
This past year at BTA I have been able to grow my acting abilities and my devising abilities. We started
the year by devising a short performance for our peers and teachers to see our performing abilities. This
was my first time performing in front of everyone at BTA, it helped with my confidence as it was a
supportive group of people to be around and create theatre with.

After this, we worked as an ensemble to create a short piece of theatre based on the story of “Echo and
Narcissus”. In this, we collaborated and used our devising skills to create a performance which involved
everyone equally. This helped in develop my devising skills as I was surrounded by a group of creatives
who had amazing devising ideas which inspired me with my own.

We then did our design unit, in which we had to give a presentation in a group. We each had to focus on
a part of making a show. I was intrigued by set design, so I chose to do that. We had to base it on the
production of “Tristan and Yseult”, which was performed by Kneehigh Theatre. This helped me to dive
into a topic that before BTA I hadn't looked at in much detail before. it was very enjoyable to focus on
doing something new.

After that topic, we moved on to scratch in which we had to devise a 5–10-minute production based on a
colour. My group was given the colour orange and this helped me with my devising abilities and with
brainstorming ideas as we learnt techniques on this. This helped me make quick decisions when
necessary. This helped with my confidence in pushing my ideas forward and learning how to build off
feedback.

I believe that since the start of BTA, I have developed as an actor and theatremaker as I have been able
to investigate aspects of theatre that I haven’t been able to before.

I think the main aspiration that I wish to achieve from attending BTA is to grow as a performer and
theatremaker. I feel I have already improved since the beginning of the year so hopefully; this will
continue. In the future, I hope to do level 4 performing and production arts and then possibly go into
drama school/ university, or I will go into the industry. I would also like to investigate other theatre roles.
One I am looking forward to hopefully looking more into is set design as I loved doing this in our design
unit and I have always loved art. Overall my focus is on acting as I have always wanted to perform.
However, as I continue my journey at BTA I am looking forward to exploring all sides of theatre as I love
all roles in theatre.

Section 2: Project Concept

The play in which I am performing is called “A Series of Public Apologies” by John Donnelly. This play is
set in a school where an incident happens in the toilets. The incident is that somebody graffiti on the
walls “EAT MY SHIT, EAT MY SHIT ALLEN”. This leads to a series of apologies from the school to the
public as chaos unfolds. This is all while the question of “Who is Allen?” is on everyone's mind. This
production helps show themes and topics of apologies, cancel culture and politics.

There are different SLT members in each act. They all have different personalities. These will be
interesting to delve into as we create the play to make sure that the audience can tell a distinct
difference between them all. So, they can understand what we are trying to show by using different
people in every act.

The biggest challenge when staging this performance is creating our characters. This is due to very few
characters in the text. This means that we must create our own characters in the performance by giving
certain lines to people as we go through blocking. However, we have done this successfully so far as I
think we are showcasing the portrayal of different characters through body language and line delivery.
Therefore, I believe the portrayal of different characters will be obvious to the audience.

In summary, this element of the production will mean there will need to be a collective effort to ensure
we portray all the characters successfully, so we don’t confuse the audience.

Section 3: Evaluation
As the rehearsals continue, I will carry on taking photos and videos in my rehearsals as references to go
back and look at if ideas are needed within the devising period. I will also continue to annotate my script
so I can keep track of the blockings for scenes. This also helps rehearsals run smoother as I know what
I am doing. I will note where I am meant to be on stage, what I should be doing when I deliver my lines,
also how I should be delivering them.

I will also take notes in rehearsal so I can improve how I look back and reflect on rehearsals through my
weekly reflection videos. These video diaries improve the amount of what I remember that goes on
during rehearsals because I can re-watch the videos and remind myself. They are also useful as they
help me reflect on the week I have had and help me think about things that I need to improve/prepare
for the next week.

When I go back into the rehearsal space, I need to focus on improving my characters and taking risks
during this. Taking risks will allow me to try out different ideas and explore my collaborative skills further.
In the next stage of rehearsals, I will have a good insight into my character as this will help me take
more creative risks and develop my interpretation of my different roles in detail.

Proposed Research Sources and Bibliography (Harvard For

mat)
FMP Initial Research Presentation Task
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web.archive.org. (2007). Links (Votes at Sixteen Campaign). [online] Available at:
https://web.archive.org/web/20071121115514/http://www.votesat16.org.uk/links.php [Accessed 19
March 2024].
web.archive.org. (2007). Links (Votes at Sixteen Campaign). [online] Available at:
https://web.archive.org/web/20071121115514/http://www.votesat16.org.uk/links.php [Accessed 19
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MPs debate ‘votes at 16’ proposal. (2008). news.bbc.co.uk. [online] 6 Jun. Available at:
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Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20190404135702/http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/
campaign/include-16-17-year-olds-public-elections/ [Accessed 19 March 2024].
Proctor, K. (2019). ‘Let 16-year-olds vote to catch up with modern age’. [online] Evening Standard.
Available at: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/let-16yearolds-vote-to-catch-up-with-modern-age-
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Politics Teaching. (2023). What are the arguments for and against lowering the voting age to 16?
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lowering-the-voting-age-to-16/.
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view=detailV2&ccid=yN1j40Wh&id=E5E0AFAFF43284EEA803A9D86314B282226B3527&thid=OIP.yN
1j40WhEFWbegNVqQ [Accessed 19 March 2024].
FMP: Context: Research Posters
Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Results of the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership
referendum. [online] Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Results_of_the_2016_United_Kingdom_European_Union_membership_ref
erendum.
Towson University Journal of International Affairs. (2020). Brexit: The Prospects of UK-EU Negotiations.
[online] Available at: https://wp.towson.edu/iajournal/2020/05/19/brexit-the-prospects-of-uk-eu-
negotiations/.
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https://www.history.com/topics/21st-century/2019-events.
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merlin_163706775_2b6049b5-f6e4-4668-a78a-71483c2cd65e-superJumbo.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp
[Accessed 11 April 2024].
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rs=1&pid=ImgDetMain [Accessed 11 April 2024].
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https://i1.wp.com/metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/PRI_81717973.jpg?
quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=964%2C642&ssl=1 [Accessed 11 April 2024].
Lindsay, J.M. (2019). Ten Most Significant World Events in 2019. [online] Council on Foreign Relations.
Available at: https://www.cfr.org/blog/ten-most-significant-world-events-2019.
Deseret News. (2023). These were the top songs of 2019 and the decade, according to Spotify
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songs-of-2019-and-the-decade-according-to-spotify-wrapped/#:~:text=And%20as%20for%20most-
streamed%20songs%20in%202019%2C%20these [Accessed 11 April 2024].
‌Deseret.com. (2024). Available at:
https://www.deseret.com/resizer/v2/HPLEECJNG42BH6HF7WZ5YD64H4.jpg?
auth=bfe4937b345f749e5121bdc584467aa1886bbc683c930f783968380bf16773c2&focal=4128%2C27
52&width=1440&height=960 [Accessed 11 April 2024].
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April 2024].
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https://www.glamour.com/gallery/best-fashion-trends-2019.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-48051776.
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rik=JU24h2goGY47Ow&riu=https%3a%2f%2f2.zoppoz.workers.dev%3a443%2fhttp%2fwww.urban75.org%2fblog%2fimages%2fextinction-
rebellion-day-5-02.jpg&ehk=trz2zZSBHbVGZ6vDZb7U1HLQNBsY0WNqR2fznbYUPXw
%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0 [Accessed 11 April 2024].
History.com Editors (2019). 2019: The Year in Events. [online] HISTORY. Available at:
https://www.history.com/topics/21st-century/2019-events.
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2024].

Project Action Plan and Timetable

Week Date Week Activity / What you are intending to do - Resources / What you will need to do it -
Beginning including independent study including access to workshops

2 26th  Created tableaus relating to the  Script

February themes of the play.  Rehearsal space
 Created tableaus of specific
scenes in the play.
 Call and response exercise with
the whole ensemble.
 Balance the space exercise.
3 4th  Started to create ideas for  Script
March different acts in groups (I was in  Pencil
Act 1).  Highlighter
 Tried different ideas like chair  Rehearsal space
moving and following.
 First casting.
4 11th  Started to block acts 1, 2 and 3  Script
March using initial ideas.  Pencil
 More casting.  Highlighter
 Choreography in groups to “I  Rehearsal space
Predict to Riot” by Kaiser Chiefs
(I was with Molly and Giorgio).
 Did freeze frames and tried
adapting them by adding smooth
transitions between them.
5 18th  Continued to block Act 3 and  Script
March onwards.  Pencil
 Did a full run of what we had  Rehearsal room
done so far.
 Choreographed the riot in
movement with Linzy in slow
motion with lifts and interesting
visuals.
6 25th  We had done the work for this
March week over the previous 2 weeks
as our director Harry was not
able to be in this day.
Start of intensives
7 15th On Monday we went back over Act 1 and Script
April key themes. Pencil
On Tuesday we did acts 2 and 3.
On Wednesday we did Act 1 and more of
Rehearsal room
Act 3.
On Thursday we worked on Act 4 and more
people got cast.
On Friday we worked on Acts 4 and 5.
8 22nd Continued to have rehearsals 10 am – 5 Script
April pm. We spent these rehearsals running Pencil
the play and going over scenes which Rehearsal room
needed to be looked at. Similar to last
week.
9 29th - Started with a run-through of the show Script
April and received notes for improvements. Pencil
- Worked on solidifying the play's quality Rehearsal room
for the second run-through. Stage
- Had a tech day, performing in costume
Costume
and with props, focusing on lighting and
stage presence.
Props
- Ran through actions and movements
alone, refining the performance.
- Did another full run-through to clean up
everything and make final adjustments.
- Enjoyed the collaborative process and
shared ideas with the team.
- Explored the script and intentions for
each line, deepening your
understanding of the show.
- Prepared for dress rehearsals and
performances, putting in extra hours to
feel confident.
- Had a successful first dress rehearsal
with a supportive audience and
adrenaline.
- Experienced a minor setback with a
costume change but found a solution
with the costume designer's help.
- Made adjustments for the second
dress rehearsal and saw significant
improvement.
- Both dress rehearsals were highly
successful, fixing any issues from the
first one.
- Had a busy day with the first show,
starting early and finishing late.
- The second dress rehearsal lacked
energy due to a smaller audience,
creating a sense of dread.
- However, the evening performance
went incredibly well and was the best so
far.
- Felt a great sense of pride and
accomplishment after the show, with a
natural and engaging performance.
- Despite the initial quietness of the
audience, the overall feeling was one of
incredible success.