Film and television are permanent; a permanent record, something I am sure actors wish was not the case and could erase at times. But although audiences can derive their own meaning and interpretation from a film, they are still all watching exactly the same footage. The footage will never change, even if their interpretation does. Whereas the opposite is true for theatre. Every single night, a piece of theatre will change, albeit subtly, but change it will nonetheless. Just as the actors are tangible to the audience, so is the audience to the actor. And that is what makes it such a special experience for the actor also. They have an immediate response from the audience. It may not always be the response they were expecting, but it is a response. Different moments in the show will mean different things to different audiences. The audience and the actor are working together.

Each night, an audience brings with it a different energy, a different expectation. On top of that though, an actor has other variables to work with on a nightly basis. A script, fellow actors, their own daily woes, set changes, costume changes and lighting/sound cues. I am sure at some point in time, everyone has witnessed a moment during a night out at the theatre where something goes horribly wrong. And there is an anticipation, a nervous excitement as to how the actors will handle the situation. An actor forgets a line and an awkward silence follows. A set change does not quite happen and the actor finds himself unable to enter the stage or worse still, stuck on the stage. A piece of clothing falls off mid dance move (which has unfortunately happened to me), and the actor is forced to deal with it in a composed manner. Not to mention the all too common experience of one actor laughing uncontrollably whilst the other desperately attempts to keep the scene flowing in some manner of normality and professionalism. The audience is extremely aware that they are witnessing something unique and potentially unlikely to happen again. It’s thrilling and memorable because it is real. It is immediate. The actor must adapt. The audience is witness. The show has changed.

I will never forget a tour of “Cabaret” that I was performing in around Australia, and on September 11 2002, there was a bomb threat in our theatre in Sydney. The second act did not commence and instead the cast was whisked away in full costume, to a nearby hotel, whilst the audience was taken out into the street. When the second act finally began over one hour later, the half of the audience that stayed were desperate for comic relief. For those who are unaware of the story of Cabaret, the second act takes on a rather dark tone as the rise of Nazism takes its toll on the lead characters and they are forced to face an unknown future. It hardly provided the audience with the opportunity to laugh. The story also brought home the reality of war, and what we as a society at that time, were facing once again… an unknown future. However, the audience as one, laughed at any moment they could, appropriate or inappropriate, and the result was a dramatically different second act. We as a cast found ourselves adapting slightly to their energy. Never a word was spoken, but a need was understood.

The same can not be said for film. We can not change a film even subtly. When we watch a film, we are seeing the best take. We are watching something that has been manipulated. The chance of something going technically wrong is impossible, because unless it is the ulterior motive of the film, it will inevitably end up on the cutting room floor. It does not help or further the storyline. And although a theatre director would also like to remove anything from going wrong, because at times it also does not help the storyline, they can not. And that is why the theatre is such a beautiful art. It can not be manipulated or controlled. Everything has been done to ensure the piece runs as smoothly as possible but once the curtain goes up, it can no longer be interfered with. As the famous saying goes, the show must go on.

It seems fitting to end with a quote by Oscar Wilde. “I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.”

Samba dancers when competing usually use sexy costumes which are shiny decorated using rhinestones, while the dancers themselves cover in deep makeup. If you doing social dancing, simply wear whatever you find comfortable, so you can move freely. You are recommended to wear dance shoes even if the dance floor does not require them. Normal shoes which have soles is viable to cause damage to your leg joints.

Samba has a basic four counts which are best described as “one-and-two, three-and-four”. The ‘and’ count is in between the other beats. Therefore, count one and count three are held three quarters of a musical beat, while the ‘and’ count is held for a quarter of a musical beat. Meanwhile, counts two and four are each held for a full musical beat.

The tempo for Samba music is quite fast. You need to take small steps and keep the balls of your feet on floor with knees bent. Remember not to lower heel on the ‘and’ count to keep up pace.

Although there are many steps in Samba, the general steps are forward and back basic step. The steps are similar for both male and female, we only write the male part. The female partner needs only to follow in the other order, starting with right foot following the male and moving with him.

Samba Forward and Back for Male Partner.

Count 1: Step forward with left foot. Put weight on it.

Count and: Bring right foot to left. Then, shift your weight to balls only of your right foot. Remember not to lower your heel.

Count 2: Replace weight on left foot.

Count 3: Step back with right foot. Put weight on your right foot.

Count and: Bring left foot to right. Then, shift your weight to the balls only of your left foot. Remember not to lower your heel.

Count 4: Replace the weight on right foot.

We believe that this simple steps will let you have fun in learning and dancing Samba!

First, keep your feet balls towards the floor and do not step or put your feet up with your heels first. Then, bend your knee when moving your foot and then straighten it when putting your weight towards your foot. Always keep your steps small, it must never exceed your shoulder with. By doing this you will be able to maximize motions of your hip and can dance in small spaces.

You will usually start dancing in a closed stance position. First, the male partner takes the female’s right hand in his left, elbows nearly touching and in front of the body, therefore there is still space among the partners which allow free movement. The male partner then places his right arm right under the left arm of the female and then put the other hand on her shoulder blade. The female will place her left hand behind the shoulder of the male, remember to put the hand his back flat. The patterns will then go into open and side by side positions.

Rumba in America is counted in three beats, also recognized as “slow, quick, quick”. Slow means two beats of music step which is for the first count and old, settling into your hip on the second count. Then the quick count which takes one beat of music step.

Although there are many steps in Rumba, we will cover the box step. This is because this is the first step which most people will learn and many patterns will start or end with a box. This is similar both for men and women, therefore, only the male part is noted here. The female need only to do each step in the opposite manner, starting on the right foot and then following the man, moving with him.

Box Step for Man

Slow (counts 1,2): Step forward with left foot. Don’t move your right foot.

Quick (count 3): Step sideways with right foot. Don’t move your left.

Quick (count 4): Bring left foot to meet right. Change your weight to the left.

Slow (counts 5,6): Step back with right foot. Don’t move your left.

Quick (count 7): Step sideways on left foot. Don’t move your right.

Quick (count 8): Bring right foot to meet left foot. Change weight to right foot.

The key to mastering the art of Rumba is simple: Practice, Practice, Practice!

First, you need to change your perspective on auditions. It is a one minute to a small but very attentive crowd. It is a 60 second show, and the best way to do it is to love the audition piece. Having said that, you need to get yourself or maybe even create for yourself an audition piece that will make yourself excited in performing.

Second, get the monologue that you love. If you have gifts in writing, you might create for yourself a masterpiece monologue. Still, if you brainstorm with a fellow thespian, you may get even more great ideas. If you don’t write, everything is not lost. Find for yourself a good monologue that you love and learn it. Get to the local bookstore or library and spend your time there. There are tons of resources which can be monologue materials easily found in these places.

Third, get headshots and resumes. A good resume may not automatically get you the job, still, it will give a good outline of what you’ve done to your deciding “judges”, which may make them interested enough to ask you questions and then in turn, the photo which is distinctly memorable (but not a glamour shot) will help them to remember you.

If you want to get good headshots, then start interviewing your photographers. If you haven’t seen their work, then don’t schedule a photo session with them. Be comfortable with your photographer and you will get a better headshot.

When writing your resumes, NEVER lie. Even if you have little or no experience, don’t exaggerate. Simply list all acting, singing and dance classes you attend and all shows in Community Theatres and workshops. Write down all college degree and special skills that you have (e.g. surfing, skiing, juggling, etc). All these will give out as cues in conversations with the “judges”.

If you learn to love auditioning as given in these tips, you will start to relax and will show your skills better. Again, remember that it is a 60 second show, maybe the shortest show performed by you, but if you prepare well both physically and mentally you will get your standing ovation … “Being accepted to the cast”.

First, when we dance, we recognize our freedom. People in some parts of the world do not fully understand what it means to be really free. Dancing in itself is a very good expression of freedom.

Second, dance used in various reality shows now is a very distinct phenomena of our current era. The reality shows are now being televised and also viewed throughout the world. Dancing on stage, in the audience of live people, while at the same time filmed by cameras and then broadcasted throughout the world is also a potential source of great entertainment. Because the show is not edited, all that watch will appreciate the dance on a whole different level.

Third, dancing is a very unique art form that is recognized internationally. It is loved by all people throughout the world as it expresses true human nature. Dancing helps people to explore their imaginations and ideas, and also set their bodies and minds free, while all the way making way for the full manifestation of their potential.

Fourth, when a dancing competition is held, there is international challenge. Almost all participant will attempt to do something new and enjoy themselves doing it. A competition in dancing, will make it much more exciting, and on various levels. All of us who watch can also develop understanding and can also appreciate the dance itself simply because such kind of dance will challenge us, both emotionally and mentally.

Fifth, because dancing is a very excellent way to exercise physically for all, both young and old, none can then argue the benefits of dancing to your health.

Sixth, dancing is currently being brought to new levels. We now witness techniques that show unique performance skills by dancers, while on also enjoying open critique by strict critics. Although we will not be able to comment whether this is a good thing or not, because of such open criticism, dancers skills now develop to an even higher level, an the form of dancing itself is now more refined.

Seventh, dancing comes naturally to some, and is fun to all. Although some people need to work at dancing before they can master it, it is still enjoyable even in the learning process itself.

I just read in the current local Newspaper that Joni Mitchell is now doing a Jack of All Trades, creating music and writing lyrics, choreographing on a new dance and writing poetries. Artists now create their own brand of clothing, actors enter into the music industry, create perfume brands and also designer bags.

It is simply like the images from “Happenings” in 1960’s where the culture world is now diffusing. An artist can do anything and be whatever they want. The message sent is that there no longer is a distinct uniqueness, whether cultural or in any other discipline.

It is just like the barriers between countries which are now crumbling, the walls between different trades is now crumbling, and it is not a matter of good or evil. There has always been a goal of universality for arts. It is proven Shakespeare’s art still are loved, is that because violence, sex and comedy do sell, even now.

Still, now there are two main concerns regarding who can work on what in the cultural circus. The first concern is what all artists will need to face, which is the comparison between multi-disciplined art compared to depth of discipline in a particular art. There will be more prestige granted to whoever can do better in a particular discipline. The second concern is the result of lack of focus in our contemporary world.

Artist currently need to find their place in the world, a philosophy in making their creations, and depth of expertise so they can have balance. This is what Joni is doing with her creative life. However, the difficulty with media and popular culture is that because the covering of media of artist somehow indicate that having multi-discipline is more worthwhile than concentrating on just one. Now, a person who crosses the boundaries of one discipline is considered as the norm.

Starting artists will now get more pressure to be able to do everything. They will now try to achieve everything instead of committing to one art at a time and watching their skills develop. Doing this will then make them lose their concentration and ability to create a clear vision for themselves.