Piloting the interview: Chloe West (BAPP student & SIG)

Skype: Sunday 27th November

Chloe works as dance captain for an entertainment company in Spain that delivers 4 x 1 hour long theatrical productions that tour. Check out her blog here!

I was really interested to talk to Chloe because we were both directing our inquiry questions towards a theatrical environment.

My working title of inquiry: What interdisciplinary skills should I possess as a dancer in order to impact positively on the creative success of a musical theatre production? How will obtaining these affect my professional, working relationships? How will interdisciplinary skills and positive working relationships help me moving forward into other productions?

Chosen Research method 1: Interview

You can see previous question ideas on my blog here. These have changed and developed as my inquiry topics have. Please see below my current, structured interview questions. Any feedback on them in regards to relativity, wording etc would be hugely appreciated. I have provided subheadings to structure the interview and to help give structure in the analysis process.

Creativity

1. What do you define as creativity?

2. What signifies 'creative success' in your area of expertise?

3. How can we measure the creative success of a production?

Skills

4. What skills are required in your professional practice?

5. How important do you think interdisciplinary skills are in a Musical Theatre environment?

6. What skills or knowledge would be useful for a dancer in Musical Theatre to know about your area of expertise?

7. Are there any creative imperatives that you require in order to facilitate creative success in your role or department?

Relationships

8. What would you define as a professional relationship?

9. How do you go about working with others in your practice?

10. What is this importance of having positive, working relationships?

11. What quality do you value most in a fellow company member?

General

12. What are your influences?

13. How did you get to where you are today?

14. Do you have any future aspirations in Musical Theatre?


Chloe's definition of creative success....

"Getting a positive reaction from the audience."

Chloe mentioned how her production company submit surveys to the hotel guests in order to gain feedback on their shows. She also spoke about audience reaction during performances, particularly when they'd incorporated any changes. She said it's interesting when they pick up/react to something unexpected. Consideration needs to be applied from the performer if they are receiving a certain reaction. We spoke about not pushing your performance. I believe we need to get the balance between audience reaction and staying true to our creative choices/material. A good example of this would be Lisa's hula in Dirty Dancing. I cover Lisa and it is important, if the audience aren't responding or are responding tremendously, not to take it too far. She is a normal girl after all who is participating in a talent show and taking it very seriously.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlT35Ote09c

"The company coming together in order to make a better show."

Chloe mentioned how her team have received new costumes for one of their shows and how it's visually improved the show instantly. She also spoke about a particular number she performs and how elements of the costume and set help to set up the performance and give context. Because Chloe's productions are 1 hour long, the shows are condensed to fit the time scale. She said how the audience can be loving the music and the routines but have no clue what's going on in regards to storyline. It's essential for all parts of the show to come together in order for it to make sense to an audience.

I asked Chloe about interdisciplinary skills.....

It was interesting to hear how Chloe, as a performer and dance captain, has involvement in managing costumes. Due to the nature of their shows and budgets, they don't have a resident wardrobe department. This means she has responsibility for checking all costumes are packed, set correctly, as well as making minor alterations or repairs. "I never make a costume", says Chloe. This comment is integral to my inquiry - I am not trying to become an expert in other areas, it is about having basic skills and understanding in order help and benefit the show overall. Wardrobe malfunctions often occur in theatre with quick changes and such like. A lot of the time there isn't room for extra people back stage to dress. Chloe gave a great example when she said how useful it would be if the boys in her cast knew how to do dresses up etc, that way we can help each other out.
Chloe also said how she's developed more basic knowledge in sound. From her experience performing in different venues, she has had to work with varying sound systems and learnt more about 'reverb' in different spaces. She now knows how to work with the effect to benefit the sound of her performance.

What are the creative imperatives in your role.....

As a dance captain working for a touring production, time is the biggest imperative when arriving at each venue. How much time she has affects the preparation required for rehearsals, both before and at the venue. She said that communication with the hosting companies definitely helps in order to figure out dimensions and equipment available in the space; as well as communication with her dancers to see what they need to practice.

In regards to working with others.....

Chloe and I are in similar situations in the sense we both live and socialise with the people we are working with. Therefore getting the balance between professional and personal interaction is key as well as understanding the context of situations. We both agreed that forming positive personal relationships definitely benefits the working environment and performance. You must be considerate of how you speak to people and form mutual respect in order to make good team work.

"You get more from people when you communicate effectively."

I mentioned how on tour, if your nice to people in work, they are more likely to help you personally e.g. The wardrobe department allowing you to use their machines for washing, or the wig department giving you a trim.

"Positive working relationships give better chemistry on stage."

In her role as a dance captain, she has to be even better at dealing with people and apply thought and logic to her approaches. It's imperative to consider how what your doing or what changes you make, affect or relate to other departments. It seems interdisciplinary skills are even more apparent in leadership roles. This could not only help me as a dancer but set me in good stead for my desired career progression into a dance captain.

I asked Chloe what quality she valued most in a colleague and she said "work ethic - work ethic over skill any day." You may be the most talented but how you work affects everybody, the professional environment and the show. Being organised, concentrating and listening, all allow for increased productivity and efficiency.


It was great chatting with Chloe about her experience in Spain as well as our inquiry proposals. We both agreed that interview was an appropriate research method because of its qualitative and social approach. It was also good to acknowledge how our professional conversation had covered our more structured questions without even asking them. I discovered that clarity is key in interview or discussion and that I need to revise the wording of my questions, this to prevent leading explanations on my part as the interviewer. 
From this pilot, I have come to the conclusion that a more informal approach to the interview is beneficial - especially when I already know the participants to a certain extent. It allows for professional conversation which I feel creates a more personal rapport and relaxed atmosphere in the interview process. Therefore I have decided to be more open with my interview questions and use the structured ones as prompts. I will have to be careful in regards to time management when using a more conversational approach. Mine and Chloe's discussion lasted for an hour and a half because we spent some time at the beginning forming an initial rapport and then got chatting openly about our individual experiences which was really helpful. Using this approach will hopefully help the inquiry itself in regards to developing my professional, working relationships; as well as provide added detail and allow for unexpected data.