Unit 10: Self Reflective Blog 2 (Singing)

Finalising A Decision On A Song:

I decided to choose 'I Know Where I've Been' from 'Hairspray' sang by Queen Latifah as my audition song.

cover information:

Hairspray is a 2007 musical romantic comedy film based on the 2002 Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was based on John Waters's 1988 comedy film of the same name. The film was a British-American venture^[2] produced by Ingenious Media and Zadan/Meron Productions. 

My reasoning for choosing this song instead of  'When Your Good To Mama', from 'Chicago' also sang by Queen Latifah is because I think it is a strong and powerful soulful song I can connect to and deliver a story through song and performance. I believe because the 'Hairspray' has been a successful film and then musical brings attention to the racial strain of time - it's a testament of struggles to the historical struggle of African - Americans. It also reminds us that racism is still alive and African - Americans still have to work a lot harder to be considered equal in success to white people. I believe that by singing this song it will bring attention to me in an audition room because it will present my diversity as an individual, especially that there most probably won't be a lot of people that look like me if I did choose to take a Musical theatre course ( just being honest). If sang right this song can resonate with the panel and that's exactly what I want because if I can do that it means I'm showing my potential. It's a powerful anthem that reflects on the past whilst still endeavouring to fulfil the promises of the future.

I have not yet performed this to Tom but how I have prepared for the song is by rehearsing alongside someone playing the piano on Youtube instead of learning the karaoke version because then I will get an understanding of how the musical version is sang and I won't be surprised when Tom plays it because the musical version differentiates from the film version. 

I did feel like I was struggling at some parts of the song because I began to become breathless coming towards the end of the song where the bigger notes are. Due to me becoming doubtful I did consider on changing the song, it was suggested to me that I should sing ' I'm Here', from 'The Colour Purple'. However I decided to stick with 'I Know Where I've Been' instead of shying away because then if can prove to myself that with hard work I can successfully deliver this song then it will give me the courage and confidence to take on stronger roles that involves singing in the future. 

To achieve this I will keep practising the parts I do find challenging and alternate the song in a way where it sounds the same but it is easier for me to learn and reach the notes I need to.