Watching previous solo performances as a class allowed us to discuss different components of performance and personal tastes. Much of the class were open to contrasting styles and agreed when it came to the likeability and entertainment value of each solo piece. Intention and purpose were decided as big influencing factors when picking a topic and style to create a performance around. Every decision made and not made should be purposeful.

Some of the class picked out timing and framing the stage as key details to focus on. Repetitive actions, long transitions and extended performance sections seemed to disengage the audience’s attention, especially if these segments didn’t advance the performance. Ideas of how to frame the stage were varied. Props and set could be used to create the world of the performance; however, some students didn’t care for props used specifically to be visually aesthetic if they were not used by the performer or had a purpose.
It was made clear in the session we all had mixed opinions on specific elements, like the use of multimedia, lighting, and sound.
I think that solo performance doesn’t have to be focused on the performer, using them as the vessel through which to tell a story. The performer can be secondary to the piece or even absent and still perform through other mediums (video, audio, writing, installation, etc.). This is something I will be exploring more when thinking about the creation of my own performance.