"You are enough"

Sixteen of us embark upon Cabaret Summer School 2012.

Once again, each of us will create an original, ten-minute solo cabaret and we will perform them on Saturday night at The Promethean Theatre.

During Monday morning we introduce ourselves and share our goals for the week.  We're a varied group, with a wide range of experiences.  I find it fascinating to hear about the different paths that people have taken through life.  Regardless of background, everyone now has the opportunity to create something unique.  

As this is my second time at Cabaret Summer School, I know how quickly the week passes.  I'm determined to wring as much value from it as possible. Whereas last year I was a bit reticent about expressing my objectives, today I do not hold back. There's no point keeping your goals a secret from people who can help you to achieve them.  I rashly declare that I want a solo show in the Cabaret Fringe, and to perform in Rio.

We then move into the first Masterclass. Each person sings a song of their choice and is workshopped in front of the group.  We all write feedback notes for each performer (to be distributed at the end of the day). We're asked to focus on what we liked about the performance and to provide helpful suggestions, not criticism. Matthew and Catherine give their feedback publicly. We then have the opportunity to sing again and put the feedback into action.

My song is "This Happy Madness" by the Brazilian composer Jobim. I'm obsessed by this song and have listened to the recording (sung by Jobim himself) hundreds of times. This means I know the song very well, but without realizing it, I'm imitating Jobim's phrasing.  Catherine encourages me to identify what the song means for me and to hold this idea in my mind whilst singing the words of the song. 

I'm surprised how nervous I feel during this exercise. You think you'll be fine, then when you get up and start singing, the adrenaline kicks in. I need two hands on the microphone to keep it from exercising its own free will.  Catherine offers me some acting techniques to help me connect with the lyrics and with the audience. This moves me outside my comfort zone, but I've learned that when experts are there to help you there's no point protesting and wasting time - just do what they are asking you to do and get on with it.

Cabaret Summer School is a bit like the Hogwarts school in the Harry Potter stories.  There are so many special talents.  Some people perform their own compositions and accompany themselves, either on piano or ukelele.  Plus we have a professional comedienne in the group. 

The big message from today is "You are enough".  Don't imitate other people or be the way you think others expect you to be. Authenticity on the platform is very "watchable".  

I heard this last year, but it's a message that's too easy to forget.

View my first workshop performance

View my video blog about Day 1