Stepping Out Play Essay

Launceston players production of Stepping Out was performed at the Earl Arts centre on 29th of March, Directed by Mark Horner. This acclaimed comedy told the story of Dance Teacher Mavis Turner and her eclectic mix of adult tap students. The unconventional characters are brought to life when united in the dance studio. They tap and explore their personal issues and unique behaviors and throughout the play, each individual character reveals their motivation to tap. Melissa Wimmer and Olivia Brodinski used Characterisation and Voice to develop their characters and to compose their craft of acting skills; to execute a performance.

Vocal elements such as pitch, projection, articulation, tone and pace are essential in the assemblance of a successful

performance. Most actors in the play, Stepping Out, made a consistent effort to work on these elements, however the overall performance lacked in technique across all characters. Olivia Brodzink, who played the character of Sylvia, displayed the strongest vocal technique amongst the Stepping Out cast. This was evident as Brodzink developed a strong nasal tone in her voice to employ and depict her social class of low-middle. The audience was made extremely obvious of her vocal tone when compared with Janice Molineux who played Vera, an upper class character who had a posh, high pitched tone voice. Despite her extensive efforts in vocal tone to complement her character, her general Australian accent is questioned because of the play's setting in North london and the dialogue referring to ‘pounds’ and ‘warm weather in August’, therefore demonstrating no regard for the appropriate accent for the setting of the play.
The general Australian accent that was unsuitable for the play was identified throughout all characters, for example Melissa Wimmer, identified as Mavis, the Dance Teacher in Stepping out.

Throughout the play, Wimmer occupied an unbothered and dispassionate character. This was evident right through the performance, specifically made known when Mavis would be approached with questions from students, Dorothy and Andy, Mavis’ response was brief, disinterested and sarcastic. This detail is noted because Mavis’ character is required to have a tone that shows appreciation for the people that attend, and a love for dance. It was noticed that Wimmer still reacted to her students in an impolite manner, yet a more warm and compassionate tone and volume should have been used. An example of this includes Mavis and Lynnes interactions in regards to Lynnes dreams of becoming a tap dancer, Mavis seemed to be unbothered by this. All Characters demonstrated mediocre vocal elements, including pitch and articulation projection, Janice Molineux was an example of this as she displayed good projection and articulation, considering the nature of her character as upper class and

exclusive.
All of these aspects are apart of those needed to be considered when using a strong voice throughout a live theatrical performance and further acquire the craft of acting skills.

Characterisation is an extremely important element to include when composing a live theatre performance, as it is what makes it compelling, and it allows the audience to develop a sense of connection and interest in the characters and their role in story.

As the storyline of Stepping Out is based heavily on the uniqueness of each character and their motivation to dance, it was extremely important for the actors to portray their characters well for the audience to interpret. An aspect of the performance that was confused, was the use and misuse of the fourth wall; the space in which separates the performer from an audience. As the play was set in the dance studio, it was evident that fourth wall was in fact a mirror. This was easily identified when Olivia Brodzink and Kerri Gay would stand in front of the audience and pretend to fix their hair or put makeup on. However, Wimmer did not abide by the fourth wall and spoiled this effect for the entirety of the performance. For example Mavis would look up and directly into the audience at the back of the theatre, making direct eye contact with audience members. This action was highly obvious and as a result the remaining characters in the room were upstaged by Melissa Wimmer, as she became the unnecessary focus of the scene. This aspect connects with Wimmer and her facial expressions and body language in response to her fellow characters. Throughout the whole performance, Wimmer stole the attention from moments not concentrated on

her character, as she over exaggerated shoulder shrugging and bulging, over animated eyes. The responses were so different to that of the other characters, that it became obvious and inapplicable. For example, when Mavis and Lynne engaged in conversation about the upcoming concert, Mavis would react in such a way, it would make Lynne look a fool. The Character that Melissa Wimmer developed for Stepping Out was not suitable for the Character she is required to portray; a passionate dance teacher, instead it was mistaken for a rude, unbothered and dispassionate dance teacher. This demonstrated the importance of a character and their portrayal in a story, and the craft of acting.
Olivia Brodzink displayed a happy, go-lucky character that is not good at dancing, but enjoys the social aspects of taking classes. The audience was made evident of her questionable ability to dance as during the first rehearsal, Sylvia was always one step behind on the dance routine, if the group using their right foot to tap, Sylvia would use her left. This was apart of her character, meaning it was intentional for Brodzink to struggle throughout dance routines. The audience can identify that Sylvia is a goofy character, and she adds to the comedic aspect of the performance. Olivia Brodzink sustained her character throughout the whole performance and employed a variation in her character in the scenes that it was required. For example when Slyvia believed that Dorothy had reported her Husband to authorities for illegal benefit claims, Sylvia became extremely distressed and defensive; differentiating from her normal humorous and sarcastic self. During this tense time in the performance, Brodzink added to her craft of acting skills by adapting to the nature of her character. As Sylvia got agitated by the situation, it was noticed that her shoulders were hunched over, she would storm across the stage in anger and betrayal, trying to stay away from Dorothy. This is an important acting skill, as it demonstrates the progression of her character, and further illustrates the severity of her feelings towards Dorothy.

The Craft of acting skills used to execute a successful performance were taken into consideration when analysing Stepping Out. Actors Olivia Brodzink and Melissa Wimmer demonstrate their ability to accomplish the skills of Characterisation and vocal Elements. The importance of these elements were made known through this performance, as some actors successfully portrayed their appropriate character. Others did not, as they lacked essential acting skills that would complement the dialogue of the Play. Overall it was decent performance, participating actor should be acknoweleged for the efforts.