SENIOR PROJECT SELF-EVALUATION

Directions: Utilize this worksheet to help evaluate yourself and your project. Be as complete
and descriptive as possible. This self-evaluation should give the scoring team a clear picture of
what you accomplished in your project.

Name - Rowan Ellis Project Start Date January 27, 2017

Title of Project - Staging the Mind Project Completion Date - April 26, 2017

1. In 40 words or more describe who your project benefited and how. In other words, what
was the impact of your project?

The target audience for my project was people who support the mental health community, those
looking to understand it, and other perspectives surrounding it. This demographic benefited from my
project because of the education factor. Through divising pieces, the groups bounced ideas off each other
and exposed themselves to the ideas and thoughts of others. Some need to know what treatments are out
there, and some need to know that other people with the same issues or values are out there. This project
had the potential to change the way someone looks at mental health. Through the use of an art form that
doesnt get as much credit as it deserves, the audience was able to see that through alternative methods,
we can gather more information about an individual, or topic.

2. In at least 40 words explain how the project challenged you. How was this a stretch for
you?

This was a challenging project because I aimed to create something unique. I take great
pride in being unique, but when I have an idea, I often fall short of the follow through. I have
organized events before, but never an event that needed to have an end product. I had to work
extra hard to make sure I completed every step needed to have a successful project. Going in, I
didnt realize just how many small, intricate parts that needed completed, and it was challenging
to keep track of everything that needed to get done.

3. List and then describe 5-8 fundamental ideas/concepts/skills of your project, which you
learned/enhanced during your project. Please use a table format as shown in the example below.

Booking for events - Im not very good at communicating over the phone, and initial
contact with someone Ive never met before in person makes me nervous, so in having to do this,
I got a lot better at it.
Devising theatre - Ive only ever done devised theatre twice before, so I had to
orchestrate something that Im not even an expert at.
Time management - This has always been a weakness of mine. Having my graduation
depend on the outcome of this project was quite good motivation for getting everything in on
time. If I didnt complete everything on time, then I was going to have a bad project.
Planning - I learned the importance of writing things down. Weekly schedules really
helped me stay on track and remember everything that needed to be done.
 Research - Ive rarely had to do research for a real life purpose. I had to make sure I
knew everything I could about devised theatre in case there were any questions. I also had to
research to find out how to go about devising theatre in a short period of time in the most
effective way.
Leadership - Being in charge of the event, I had to be articulate in directions and in
explanations. I couldnt be afraid to jump in and participate to lead by example.
Advertising - Ive done publicity work for theatre in the past, but making the poster
myself, and having to learn all the steps to getting the word out helped me understand what drives
people to attend events. I had to make sure my posters were in the right location.

4. List and describe 4-8 problems/obstacles/issues you encountered in your

project, and briefly describe how you solved each.

Venue - I had difficulty securing a venue at first. I wanted to have my

project at an actual theatre, but after persistent in person visitation, I was able to have access to
the central library which has a small stage area.
Money - I personally raised money to rent out the auditorium. I wasnt in
the position to pay for it out of my own pocket, or to ask my family for money, so I started and
spread a GoFundMe link, and was financed by some extended family and old friends.
Sickness - I was absent for this class this semester 8 times due to sickness
alone. By prioritizing this class when needed, and sticking to my weekly schedule, I was able to
make up all of the lost time, and still not feel the need to rush.
Technology - I am not the best at technology. I have the tendency to be
slightly forgetful at times, and so more than once, I wouldnt push the Publish button on my
Weebly and all my work for the day would disappear. After a few times, I set a vibrating alarm on
my phone for every half hour in this class to remind me to hit the publish button, even if I hadnt
done any work on it.

5. List materials used.

computer
paper
printer
ink
pencils
folders
tape
bags
random props from around my house
phone

6. List all people who helped you on the project and briefly describe the help
given.

Nancy Curtis - She helped me make my ideas more reasonable. I have the
tendency to have big ideas that could be done much easier than what I can see, and she helped me
to see that when doing things such as choosing a venue. She also helped me get in contact with
her colleagues regarding Devised Theatre.
 Mrs. VanSchenk - Whenever I would get stuck, Mrs. V would help me
brainstorm my next move, which really helped me keep my momentum going forward.
Central Library - They let me use their auditorium.
Family friends - Some family friends donated to my go fund me account,
making it so I had the money I needed to use the library space.
Theatre friends - They participated in my activities for part 1 of the project
and performed what they came up with for an audience in part 2.

7. How does your completed project compare to the picture you had in mind
when you started the project? Explain the reason behind any changes from your proposal.

At first, the plan was to have the two parts of the project at different locations. The first being on
of the near by rec centers, and the second being an actual theatre somewhere, such as the Little Theatre of
Norfolk. I went right to LTN to find out if I could host my project there, but unfortunately there was
rehearsal for Chicago during the times I wanted to have the performance. Mrs. Curtis had mentioned
something about the black box at Kellam High School so thinking about that big of a space made me
consider simply doing both parts in the same location. I didnt like the idea of people having to go as far
as Kellam to make it to my project, so I decided on the Central Library Auditorium after I remembered a
senior project I participated in last year. I had originally envisioned my project participants to be
community members with stories regarding mental health or disability of their own to tell, but after
recognizing how difficult it would be to do Devised Theatre with people having no prior experience, I had
the first part of the project be invitation only for people who would know what was going on, and
changed the dynamic of the project to Neurodiversity to reflect the more diverse people who were a part
of it.

8. If given the opportunity, explain what you would have done differently
now that you speak from experience?

If given the opportunity, I would not have had my project at the Central Library. I
wouldnt have put so much of an emphasis on venue. I now realize that location meant absolutely
nothing for this, as long as we were isolated from outside distractions. If I had the time and the
resources, I would like to try this again, but do it with a mix of people with stories to tell and actors,
that way the finished product really reflects someones feelings by using the actors to tell the story. It
also would be nice to solidify the script people came up with, and having the option to turn it into a
real play.

9. Beyond the project itself, what did you learn about yourself?

I learned that if Im surrounded by the right people, I have the tools I need to be successful. I need to start
spending more time on the small intricacies of big tasks. I have a tendency to overlook the small things
that need to be done that I dont want to do, but if Im going to commit to doing something, I need to get
better at following through with every aspect of it. I cant leave the little things for last.

10. What grade would you give yourself on the project? Justify the evaluation
of your grade in at least 25 words.
Grade: 90

Justification: In doing this project, I pushed myself and completed a task that I never otherwise
would have done, not for lack of want, or passion, but because I would have messed up here and
there and forgotten about this and that. I think that I still made some mistakes when it came to
work ethic, but I think this was the best Ive ever been. I was able to solve problems that came at
me in a calm and orderly fashion, and I turned just about everything in exactly when it needed to
be in. I was thrown a lot of challenges, especially once my project started and the projector didnt
work, or when only two of my friends showed up. Despite all the challenges, I kept going and did
the absolute best I could with the situation that was given to me, and I truly believe that doing your
best is what matters the most.