Rachel Li in Blood Brothers

Next up in our Blood Brothers blog series, we have Rachel Li! This was her 1st musical experience in life and she was part of the dance ensembles.

Tell us about yourself
I'm Rachel and this is my first musical! I looooooooooved and enjoyed every single moment of the making and the performances of the musical.

Tell us about your role!
I am a dancer in this musical. Our role is to enhance the emotions brought by the actors and bring it into the atmosphere by dance. Also, dance makes the musical more lively and the audience could really see a picture out of it. The seasons change in the musical, and we represent autumn.

How was this production different from past productions you've been in?
This is such a huge production compare with past productions I've been in, it has been an amazing experience! As the stage was in a shape of a semi-circle, we had to pay great attention to the spacing and where we should be focusing at. I learnt so much more on how to connect with the audience and the importance of that!

What do you think was unique about this production?
YAF is such a warm family! We work hard together and give loads of hugs and support to each other! The whole cast is very close-knitted, which is hard to achieve for such a huge production! Also, working with a semi-circle stage is very unique and is a new experience for all of as! As it is usually rare for a musical to be staged at an amphitheatre.

What was the process of moving into the theatre from the rehearsal studio like?
Wow! It was such a huge difference! We had to be more aware of our spacing and use all the space we could possibly use! Also, as all the actual sets and props are there, we had to be extra careful in order to avoid bumping into a tree or prop.

I enjoyed…
Every single rehearsal and performance of the musical! It was such an amazing experience to work with many awesome, talented people! :) I also enjoyed the opportunity I had to do dance improvisation while the audience are getting ready for the show to start. It was an awesome opportunity to connect with the audience!

The funniest thing was…
When Trevor accidentally said "I've got pimples on my feet!" Hahahaha! Makes me laugh every single time when I think about it!

I'm going to miss…
 The whole​ cast! Especially the dancers! Also, every single rehearsal! Last but not least, the awesome Kerry and Maria :(( We will miss you two so much :((

What is your favourite song/dance number/scene?
My favourite dance number is Overture. Firstly, it sets the mood for the musical, which is a very powerful piece. Also, the dance is very down to earth, raw, and the movements are very organic. Through each movement, we try to connect with the audience and express how the musical is going to proceed.

Three tips for a successful performance?
Firstly, to give 200% in every rehearsal! If you do that, you'll perform beyond your best for sure! Second, pay attention to details and corrections, as they are important in order to make a performance perfect! Thirdly, eat and sleep well! You need loads of energy for a successful performance!

What do you do 10 mins before the show?
I usually close my eyes and think of the choreography once while I'm stretching, it helps me to focus and to remind myself what I should do during the show. So that I can do my best without making any mistakes during the show!

What's next now that Blood Brothers is over?
Doing what I love, dancing as usual :) Also, I am looking forward to receive an email on the next YAF project! Can't wait to be involved in another awesome YAF project! :D