Hannah McLaughlin

Self Evaluation Essay

I have always had a passion for the performing arts since I could remember. I started at a

community theatre acting in my first play at the age of 10, started piano lessons in kindergarten,

and sang before I could talk. I knew I wanted to continue with the performing arts in college and

eventually hoped to establish my own childrens theatre. As a performing arts major I have

blossomed into a well rounded person with experience and knowledge in the performing arts.

Some of the goals that are made for performing arts majors are to develop skills in performance,

writing, directing, or theatre crafts, and applying them to theatrical, dance, and musical

performances, demonstrated the ability to critique their own processes and outcomes, and

demonstrate the ability to analyze plays, musical compositions, and dances from a variety of

cultures and historical periods. Finally, the last goal is to apply the disciplines of the history of

music, dance, dramatic literature, and aesthetics through readings, discussions, projects, and

written essays.

Coming into Wheelock I did have a fair amount of theatre knowledge from taking two years of

IB Theatre in high school but my experiences and knowledge have blossomed to include all art

forms. I started my journey as an arts major with the first year seminar Introduction to the Arts. I

feel that through this course I was able to become accustomed to the style of Wheelock.

Wheelock classes tend to have the student be actively involved in their learning. I learned that it

was okay to be silly and take risks. The overall atmosphere provided a safe space and I felt like

the sky was the limit. I also enjoyed how every course always included a reflection period, I
think through reflections, I was able to take what I learned in class and apply it to situations in

the real world. As an early childhood education major, I felt that many of these activities could

be included in a classroom setting with children.

Introduction to the arts was a great introduction to help me become fully immersed in music,

visual, and performing arts. From looking at one of my first essays written to one of my last it is

clear that my writing skills have developed immensely. Instead of focusing primarily on content,

there tends to be a shift in including more aspects of critical thinking and making connections to

concepts covered in other courses. As I started to take courses that focused on the history and

origin behind music, theatre and the fine arts, I was able to appreciate the arts from a new

perspective. Through these history courses I was able to understand how these plays came to be

which helps with further character development in the performance aspect. I also think I met

these goals through writing essays and including textual evidence. This helped me build stronger

arguments especially when applying different theorists to experiences while taking aesthetics.

As a performing arts major, formal written assignments werent the only source of artifacts

that showed a progression in growth. The performance component also helped me meet my goals

as an arts major. From already having experience on stage, I was eager to build on my

performance techniques. Classes such as Staged Readings and Movement and Drama for

Children shared the skills of devising theatre pieces and performing them. I took these class

performances as an opportunity to build my stage presence, work on character development, and

receive constructive criticism. From looking at my performance in Staged Readings of a class

devised piece about gender stereotypes to my last performance in Movement and Drama for

Children, I definitely can see improvements in my performance skills overall. In the beginning I
was very nervous and read through my lines too quickly. I didnt really take the time to take in

what I actually was portraying as a character. I also noticed that my posture was poor and my

breath control could have been better. After watching one of my performances in an advanced

theatre course, the development of growth has definitely been achieved. I feel more confident on

and off stage and I feel like this is due to the multiple opportunities to perform. I also noticed that

my stage nerves have definitely decreased. Although I still get that rush of adrenaline when Im

on stage, I definitely have developed the skill to contain my nerves.

My journey as an arts major doesnt just stop at the performing arts. Music has also played a

huge role in my journey as an arts major at Wheelock. Through music courses I was able to

appreciate music in a whole new way. I have always loved to listen to and sing music. When I

enrolled in vocal performance I was ecstatic to be singing again. This class definitely helped me

develop my performance techniques, specifically my stage presence. I think the idea of stage

presence can be used outside of the arts. Stage presence is a life skill that helps assure others that

you are confident in yourself. I feel that through these arts courses at Wheelock I have developed

confidence and I have more faith in myself.

I have also noticed that music courses share a different goal from theatre courses. One of the

goals for music courses is for students to develop the ability to analyze a song and understand the

history behind music. Although vocal performance didnt meet this goal, the course Music of the

Beatles did. Through class discussions and hearing others opinions, I am able to improve my

critical thinking. Class discussions help me feed off of other ideas which helps provide more

evidence when making an educated claim. After taking music courses at Wheelock I am able to

appreciate music more in depth. I am able to recognize how a song may be composed such as
identifying tempo, dynamics, and changes in the key signature. I am also able to appreciate the

history behind a song such as understanding that the mother Mary in Let it be is a reference

to Paul McCartneys mother and not the mother of Jesus. By understanding the thought process

that is behind songwriting, I am able to interpret the song in a different and more symbolic way.

Finally, one of the main reasons I wanted to major in the performing arts is because my goal as

a future educator is to integrate the arts in my teaching. I feel that through the selective courses

such as Music for Children and Movement and Drama for Children, I am able to use my

experiences in the professional world. I think its important that children are given the

opportunity to have the arts in their education. This is where I currently stand as an artist.

Through my journey as an arts major at Wheelock College I am even more assured that the arts

should be included in a childs education. I have learned so many skills, techniques, and

strategies that can be implemented in the classroom. I feel that through the completion of these

courses I have the skills that are needed to successfully integrate the arts in education. I have

definitely become more confident in using the arts throughout education.

Overall, I am grateful for my experience as a performing arts major at Wheelock college.

Although these past three years havent been a walk in the park, I can definitely say that the arts

have brightened up my overall experience as a Wheelock student. I am thankful for the gracious

and talented faculty that I have had the pleasure to learn from. Even though I finished the major a

year early, I still have plans to use what I have learned in these courses for the future. I am

excited to be starting my senior year as a full time practicum student in a first grade classroom in

Roxbury. My prac teacher told me, Teaching is 90% acting and I couldnt agree more as I start

the next act in my play.