ENSMEBLE SKILLS - Why are ensemble skills important?

• Respecting each other/Learning lines and songs - This is an incredibly important ensemble skill, as a group you are working closely together for a long period of time, when everyone respects each other, this process is much nicer to be a part of. When you respect the other members of the group and receive respect from other members you are more likely to work hard in rehearsals and giving 100% energy at all times. Additionally this also motivates you to learn all lines and songs as you don't want to be the one person who lets the whole performance down. 
• Self discipline/Punctuality/Commitment/Organisation/Learning lines and songs - This includes things such as learning everything, turning up on time, being dressed appropriately and being focused at all times. When members of the cast miss multiple rehearsals i setbacks the whole rehearsal process, this is because you have to spend time going back over things and teaching things, as well as some members being behind on songs, blocking or choreography. By making sure you are fully committed you are doing your part to help the whole process move forward.
• Timing - This is more of a skill that is shown in performance, when an ensemble has good timing it makes the performance look clean, polished and professional. Rigorous rehearsals are needed to be able to gain this as it takes hard work, determination, time and patience.
• Open mindedness/Take Risks/Enthusiasm/Positivity/Determination/Patience - This is something that is important during rehearsals, this is because when people in the group are not being enthusiastic often it can draw the whole mood of the group down and therefore rehearsals are not as effective as people lose focus and energy. It is also important to be open to new ideas and things you may not have considered before, taking risks allows you to try out new things that allow you as a company to move forward and develop, therefore helping each individual member as well. When things don't go to plan, it is hard to work through things when the group has no determination, this is something that helps you work through problems by finding solutions that the whole group can benefit from.
• Creativity/Variety - When working as a group there is an advantage when everyone in the group can contribute something different, this avoids all performances being the same, especially when doing a whole production, as a group you can make sure there are clear distinctive features between them. Otherwise the audience get tired of seeing the same thing over and over gain, however seeing things that are different keep them engaged in the performance.
• Equality/Everyone has a say - Working in a group is a perfect opportunity to try out new things, everyone thinks in a different way and therefore making sure that everyone has an equal say allows the group to create something new and exciting that the audience will enjoy watching.
• Passion - One key part of working as a musical ensemble is when each individual member has a strong passion for performance, this passion often creates a drive to work hard and then when everyone is doing this the quality of work that is produced can be very high. When somebody enjoys performing and shows this clearly, this is shown in the performance and the audience then enjoys watching the performers enjoying what they are doing.