Diploma in Performing &

Production Arts
Unit 8 Project Proposal
Candidate Name Alicia Kitainik
Candidate Number 371342
Pathway Performing & Production
Arts
Level 3: Acting
Project Title Final Major Project: The
Sad Club
Section One: Review
Choosing this course was based on a desire to do something that
required more practical work than theory, hone and develop
specific skills and to explore the different areas within the
performing arts. I was set in going to college and not a sixth form
because I wanted to find out if a different form of education could
benefit me. So far, I’ve definitely had the relief of having a decent
amount of consistent practical work that’s been balanced out with
the theory work aspect. I have been given opportunities to work
with fantastic practitioners, who have each widened my knowledge
and aided in increasing my skills reservoir, varying from set/prop
design to directing scenes. I think as I was going into this course, I
was certain that I knew what path I wanted to take by the end of the
two years, and that I wouldn’t want to change my mind. However,
after being given the chance to explore other possibilities and
opportunities, I have found that I am now more open and willing to
see if something that I never even thought about before could be an
option in the future. Especially during our scratch unit, where we
also had directing classes which I thoroughly enjoyed. So far, I’ve
had the relief of having a decent amount of consistent practical
work balanced with the theory work aspect. Since I have joined this
course, I have been thinking a lot about whether I want to go a
university/a drama school or not because I have never fully been
convinced of going into that higher education, but this course has
definitely made me lean towards that option more. Overall, with our
Final Major Project, I am hoping to have more confidence in
offering any ideas I may have during rehearsals as in the past I have
proved to doubt myself and whether my ideas are good enough to
even bring up to the group. I also think I should work on being
more present and focused in class and not just taking a step back
when everyone else has their ideas, but I am excited to work on this
new project and to see how it turns out all together.
Section Two: Project Concept
The Final Major Project our group is working on this year is called
The Sad Club, by Luke Barnes. The Sad Club is a Gig Theatre piece
about a number of struggling teenagers who are experiencing
different yet similar difficulties with their mental health and overall
well-being in different time periods and places around the world.
The show revolves around all these teenagers, who are concerned
about their social lives and how they are seen in other people's eyes.
It features several monologues, duologues, and includes multiple
songs performed by the company throughout the piece.
Additionally, there will be an on-stage band made up of ensemble
members, which is a new and exciting element that I have only
worked with once before. There are various ideas being explored for
the show's creation, including incorporating Fosse-style dancing
inspired by the movie Sweet Charity, which I have investigated a
little and am very excited to try and incorporate within the show, I
think it is just such a really cool style. Despite the show's deeper
meaning and important overall message, the comedic elements
within the script will be retained and amplified to make the
performance more enjoyable for both our audience and for us as the
performers.
Section Three: Evaluation
Going forward with this project I think it will be important to make
sure I record all my progress and the development of our piece. I
will try to take as many notes as possible as our sessions go on which
will be incredibly useful for when I record my video diaries as well
as creating a weekly action plan of everything that was useful that
week and any challenges, we/or I found during sessions. The video
diaries are a productive and effective method of tracking the
group's progress and my own personal progress/ thoughts on the
project. By making these videos, I can also use them to workshop
how best to articulate my thoughts/ ideas to the camera and when I
am in class. I have also noticed in past ensemble projects that I have
been easily distracted by my peers and find it hard to maintain
concentration for long periods of time so I will try to change for this
project and moving forward as I feel it is an important aspect as a
professional. It will also be beneficial in ensuring that I remain
productive during every session and hopefully the rest of the group
has the same mindset going forward to create a supportive but
productive atmosphere that I'm sure our practitioners will
appreciate.
Proposed Research Sources and Bibliography
(Harvard Format)
Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen and Christian Zapata.
(2019) ‘2019 Events – Pop Culture, U.S. Politics & World’
HISTORY, 2 December.
https://www.history.com/topics/21st-century/2019-events
Estelle Nilsson-Julien. (2019) ‘Seven years on: what do young
Brits think of Brexit vote?’ Euronews, 24 June.
https://www.euronews.com/2023/06/24/seven-years-on-
what-do-young-brits-think-of-brexit-vote
James M. Lindsay . (2019) ‘Ten Most Significant World
Events in 2019’ Council on Foreign Relations, 23
December. https://www.cfr.org/blog/ten-most-significant-
world-events-2019
BBC (2019) ‘Extinction Rebellion Protests: What
happened?’ BBC News, 25 April.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-48051776
Roger Harrabin (2021) ‘Climate change: Young people very
worried – survey’ BBC News, 14 September.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-58549373
The Guardian. (2020) 'Knife offences hit record high in 2019
in England and Wales’ The Guardian, 23 April
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/apr/23/knife-
offences-hit-record-high-in-2019-in-england-and-wales
Richard Osley. (2018) ‘Poverty is fueling knife crime
Camden’s Youth MP tells Commons’ 12 November
https://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/watch-
poverty-is-fuelling-knife-crime-camdens-youth-mp-tells-
commons
NACRO. (2020) ‘YOUNG PEOPLE’S PERSPECTIVE
ON KNIFE CRIME’ 1 Jan. https://www.nacro.org.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2023/01/Lives-Not-Knives_-young-
peoples-perspective-on-knife-crime.pdf
Kasim Kabbara. (2022) ‘How Many Of These Events From
2019 You Remember?’ 23 March
https://www.buzzfeed.com/kasimkabbara/pop-culture-
events-from-2019
Katherine Holtz. (2022) ‘Euphoria Review’ 30 March
https://scholastic.nd.edu/issues/euphoria-review/
Project Action Plan and Timetable
Week Date Week Beginning
1 19th February
2 26th February
Activity/ What you are Resources/ What you will
intending to do – including need to do it – including
independent study access to workshops
Tuesday – Began with Script, Polly Pocket,
warmups and games as an Notebook, Pen/Pencil.
ensemble, to help us get to
know our director – Krista.
Then we were given our
script, had a readthrough sat in
a circle to get to grips with the
plot of the play. She explained
the overall tone of the show
and what she intends to
achieve with it. From this first
look at the play, I feel like it
will be appropriate and
relatable for our group – as we
are playing teenagers who are
going through what many of
have or might experience.
Wednesday – First movement
session with Linzy. Warmup,
then were given basic steps to
follow to a count of 8.
Experimented in how we
could use that to create
movement across the space.
Then paired up to direct each-
others flow. A useful and
beneficial movement session
that may affect creative
decisions in the future.
Independent – Completed first
weekly reflection video, read
through script to better my
understanding and initial view
of the play.
Tuesday – Beginning the Script, Pen/Pencil, Water.
session with a warmup and a
few games to improve focus
and unify the group. Krista
assigned everyone different
scenes to take a look at and
offer an initial interpretation
of how the scene could look
and for her to start deciding
 who may a good fit to play
whichever character as there
are no formal auditions.
Seeing how everyone else has
portrayed the different scene
compared to how I pictured
them playing out when I
originally read them. I played
through the scene of Stacey
and her ex – I read the ‘ex’
which I found to be a very
interesting scene and fun to
play around with.
Introduced to musical director
– Alex. Vocal Warmups and
listened to a few of the tracks
in the play. Although the
lyrics aren’t exactly ideal as
they felt quite silly when just
reading, the music pulls it
together more than I expected.
We were split into four
harmony groups to start
learning the first/ opening
song.
Wednesday – Warmups,
looked at individual travelling
movement. Travelling across
the floor. Split into multiple
groups to create several freeze
frames that represent daily
life. Then created a sequence
out of these, experimenting to
find out if this could be useful
in the future.
3 4th March Tuesday – Krista gave us Voice notes, water,
scenes to analyse and present pencil/pen, any other general
offers of how they could notes taken.
potentially look (set wise). I
was in a group with Riannon,
Mai, and Zehra looking at the
first scene (Competition). We
discussed ad agreed that Craig
would look quite unconfident
and basically seem weaker and
like a loser compared to
David. We thought the stage
could represent a competitive
swimming pool, with lane
ropes across the floor and
maybe a few swimming caps
‘popping up’ to give the
impression of swimmers in the
water.
In our session with Alex we
 learned the rest of the first
song which already sounds
quite good.
Wednesday – Unfortunately
Linzy was ill so there was no
movement.
Independent – Listen back to
the voice notes to make sure I
know my harmony line off by
heart.
4 12th March Tuesday – Warmups, Krista Script, Previous notes,
assigned us scenes to work Pen/Pencil, Water
with again, and I was given
the Stacey and her Ex scene
again. This gave me a chance
to play around with how the
character of the ex could be
portrayed. We then performed
and watched everyone else’s
back while Krista took notes
of all of our different
interpretations of how each
scene/character could look.
Watching everyone’s different
perception of the same scene
or character is incredibly
intriguing and genuinely cool,
just to observe things that I
never would have thought
about but actually works very
well.
Then with Alex, we started
and completed learning a new
song and all the harmonies
successfully.
Wednesday – Warmups,
exercises intended to engage
and strengthen our core. We
experimented with lifting
people in groups – the lifts
were very technical, so Linzy
made sure to teach us how to
lift properly and safely. We
got into groups to perform
these lifts and then tried
travelling with them. It was a
very fun and successful
session.
Independent – Read through
the script again and see if
there are any moments I think
a lift could be effective and
work well. Keep practicing
songs.
5 18th March Tuesday – Warmups, Krista Script, previous notes,
focused on Sarah’s scene. We Pen/Pencil, Water
were split into two groups
where Mia read Sarah for one
group and Georgia read Sarah
for the other group, and we
were tasked with devising
movement for the scene. I was
in the group with Mia and I
think we came up with some
particularly effective and
funny moments within the
scene. For example, there’s a
moment where Sarah farts and
everyone around her reacts
disgusted. At this point
“Sarah” was stood in front of
the rest of us a little off centre
while we were sat on chairs
almost in a line behind her,
and we decided it would look
good if we reacted as if the
smell of the fart hit us like a
domino effect also in slow-
mo.
With Alex we recapped the
songs and harmonies we had
previously learned to reinforce
everything. Started learning
“things this feeling feels like”.
This song was structed
differently with each harmony
coming in at a different point
in the song, layering on top of
each other until we are all
singing together at the end.
We also found out the cast list
– I’ll be playing Stacey’s ex.
Wednesday – Warmups
focused on stamina, split into
small groups to create 5 still
images of events that would
take place at a party, this was
to try and put together the
image and atmosphere of the
party scene. We then
overlapped every groups 5
images and also danced as
transitions into each image
which was quite effective. We
also took a look at Michaels
scene, where the ensemble
became the set. Half of the
group were on hands and
knees acting like chairs, while
the rest of us sat of them as if
in a classroom – we then
 added a sequence of simple
school related movement
behind Michael’s monologue.
Friday – We had an extra
skills session: warmups,
harmonising exercises as an
ensemble, recapping all we
have learnt already.
Independent – start learning
my lines, making sure I’m
keeping up to date with my
theory work.
6 25th March Tuesday – Warmups, Script, Previous notes,
ensemble games. We took Pen/Pencil, Water
another look at the Michael
scene but with a different
approach to Linzy as Krista
wanted to try something
different. We were split into
two groups to devise and offer
our ideas for the scene. We
didn’t have much time so we
only did a section of the scene
which we then performed and
watched the other group’s
ideas. We filmed both of these
for future reference.
With Alex, we did some vocal
exercises, then recapped all of
the songs especially going
over the ones we’re not so
confident with in order to be
able to practice over the easter
break.
Wednesday – Linzy was
unable to attend the session,
which was a shame, so it was
just Krista with us instead of
both of them. We took a look
at Cassie’s scene, Krista told
us she really wanted to try and
incorporate Britney Spears’
music video for ‘Hit Me Baby
One More Time’ since that
was the vibe she got from
envisioning the scene. We all
watched the video, then split
into two groups to create some
sort of choreography to the
song and potentially use
something from it in the scene.
Then in those groups we
experimented how we could
transition from the ‘dance’
into a canteen type setting.
 Independent – We will be off
for a few weeks now so I will
make sure to learn all my lines
and lyrics, listen to the tracks,
and complete all my theory
work by the deadline so I am
allowed into our intensive
rehearsals.
7 15th April Monday – First week of our Water, food, pen/pencil, script
intensive rehearsals. Over the
easter break I auditioned to
play the drums for the live
band we plan to have onstage
for the songs, which I got.
Warmups & games to bring
focus into the space. We
worked on the opening scene
devising some movement and
offering ideas as to what could
work with the style the play
and the song. Then worked on
Stacey’s scene, where the
ensemble danced in the
background throughout.
Finally looked at the lyrics of
some of the songs, offering
ideas that were more relatable
to us as teenagers.
Tuesday – Looked at putting
Sarah’s scene on its feet with
the ensemble in it. Then set
part of Emma’s scene which
proved difficult at first since
the timing of the ensemble
sliding books across the stage
was hard to nail at first.
Wednesday – Started with a
design presentation from our
designer. It was exciting to see
the model and I can’t wait to
see what it will look like on
stage. The band had our first
session and we
learned/worked on two songs
which we all got to grips with
by the end of the session. I
also had a costume fitting
which I thought was very
successful – the idea for the ex
is that its quite 80s inspired
and the clothes mean I’m very
comfortable and able to move
around and play drums easily
– I offered to bring in a wind
breaker that is 80s like that I
 own. I also got to try on the
glitzy Suit jacket that I would
be wearing when I’m on stage
as a band member. Had a
calming warmup, ran the
opening scene a few times,
which I am in the band for so
we just play at the back of the
stage during this scene.
Thursday – Another band
session where we continued to
practice the first two songs we
learned and started to work on
a new one: we’re like gods.
8 22nd April Monday – warmups, games
testing our concentration.
Started setting some
movement for ‘We’re Like
Gods’ which the band plays
for so that means we aren’t
involved with any of the
movement sequence. I had my
Scene rehearsal with Flo and
Krista who helped us to flesh
out our characters and their
possible intentions, we also
created the idea to have the
‘ex’ have a lamp that turns on
and of whenever he starts and
stops speaking to add a
comedic effect. Our scene
rehearsal was very successful
as me and Flo were able to
create some interesting tension
that Krista liked.
Tuesday – warmups, finished
creating and setting the
movement from yesterday.
Then looked at transitions
between scenes before lunch.
Then another session with
Alex to learn the final song of
the show and practice the
swimming song and also
‘Things I Do When I’m
Upset’.
Wednesday – warmups,
looked at some more transition
work. Began setting
movement for the final song
which I am in the band for
again so that means I’m not
included in the movement.
Thursday – Warmup to test
stamina. Managed a full
 stagger through, which
actually went quite smoothly.
Needed to clean up transitions.
I was given another part to
play – “Company” which is an
angel type figure.
Friday – Warmup to test
stamina. This time a full run
through which went a lot
better than yesterday with
cleaner transitions. Decided to
change the end of the
‘Jealousy’ so it didn’t look so
cramped on stage.
9 29th April Monday – we were called in
later than previous sessions.
Warmups and then a full run
including props and band like
we’ve been practicing.
Starting to just refine and
clean up specific moments in
the show.
Tuesday – Vocal warmup with
Alex, went through every song
to ensure everyone was
singing the correct harmonies.
We practiced singing together
with the band so that the cast
could practice singing with
more power so as to not be
drowned out by the live band.
We worked on the final scene
again as Krista decided to
rework a few aspects of the
scene.
Wednesday – We moved over
to the Egg theatre space to
begin our tech run. This was
relatively successful and it
gave us a chance to adapt our
scenes to the new space and
ensure everything we set still
worked well. We got into
costume, had a safety briefing
then conducted a stagger
through of the show for the
light/sound cues.
Thursday – we were called in
early so as to have enough
time to go over bits and pieces
Krista had notes on and clean
them up. We then had a dress
run with the other cast and the
year 2’s were able to watch
which was very fun and was
pretty successful overall.
However there was a problem
with coming in on time for the
final song.
Friday – Warmups, another
dress run with costume and
makeup sone by the hair and
makeup students. This dress
rehearsal had a professional
photographer which was
exciting.