LEsson
OBJECTIVE
To present my understanding of heightened text using a Haiku
Success
Criterion #1
To select a verse from your favourite song to use for a short performance
Success
Criterion #2
To devise a performance using the verse and my understanding of Heightened text
Success
Criterion #3
To present your performance to the ensemble
ENGAGE
What Is Heightened Text?
Heightened text refers to a style of writing and performing that exaggerates language, emotion, or character to create a heightened sense of drama, intensity, or comedic effect. This can be seen in various forms of literature, theater, and film, including:
- Shakespearean plays, where characters often speak in verse and use poetic language to express their emotions.
- Greek tragedies, which feature highly dramatic situations and intense emotions.
- Soap operas, where characters often engage in exaggerated, melodramatic dialogue and situations.
- Fantasy and science fiction stories, where characters may speak in invented languages or use elaborate, formal language.
- Satirical works, where language and character traits are often exaggerated for comedic effect.
In essence, heightened text is a technique used by writers and performers to elevate the emotional impact of a story or performance, often by using non-naturalistic language, heightened emotions, or larger-than-life characters.
PONDER
PONTIFICATE
Ponder... about what Heightened Language means to you and text your have seen or performed yourself. What made it different? How did it change in your approach, physically,energetically, intellectually.
Pontificate...with the ensemble your thoughts and findings. Share experiences and lets learn together.
Success Criteria #1 - Selecting a song
DIAGNOSTIC A HEIGHTENED MONOLOGUE
Working individually you are to select one of the pieces below and read in what you believe to be heightened language. The key here is to demonstrate what you understand to be 'heightened text'.
Here are some tips that might help:
1. Learn your lines
2. Try to utilise what was shared during Ponder and Pontificate
3. Remember to convey meaning
4. You can add movement and blocking
5. You can use props
6. You can use the space how you see fit
7. You are going to show your piece to the class
8. You need to demonstrate what you see is heightened text
9. You have 60 mins.
Option 1:
You can say you are bored (if you want to)
You could act real tough (if you want to)
You could say you are torn
But, I have heard enough
Thank you, you made my mind up for me
When you started to ignore me
Do you see a single tear?
It is not gonna happen here
At least not today,
not today,
not today
Option 2:
If you are over me,
I am already over you
If it has all been done,
what is left to do?
How can you hang up if the line is dead?
If you want to walk, I am a step ahead
If you are moving on,
I am already gone
If the light is off then it is not on
At least not today.
Option 3:
You can change your clothes
If you change your mind
Well, that is the way it goes
But, I am going to keep your jeans
And your old black hat
Because I want to,
They look good on me
You are never going to get them back
At least not today,
Because if it is over let it go and
Come tomorrow it will seem so yesterday
Success Criteria #2 - Rehearsing
GET REHEARSING!
Take this time to rehearse your Heightened Text demonstrating your understanding of what this means.
THE FOUR R'S
The 4 R's is a quick and easy method to implement routine with your students, not only to make them structured collaborators, but also to build autonomy.
Revise - What do we need to do? Who is playing which role? What are the actions?
Rehearse - Rehearse what you've just discussed
Reflect - Discuss what worked and what needs adjusting
Repeat - Repeat the work until it's polished, and ready to present.
Success Criteria #3 - SHOWING
SHOWING RULES
As you are probably quite versed in observing performances, its ideal you understand what we are looking for and how we are to enhance and support a learning environment.
1. Pay attention during the entirety of the performances
2. If you need to leave for any reason do not enter during a performance, this is incredibly rude
3. No devices
4. Try to avoid taking notes until after the performance
5. Think about 3 things you believed worked in the performance and one thing you would direct differently
6. Ask yourself, how could you raise the bar?
THE Wrap up
POSITIVE EDUCATION METHOD
If you were a tree, what tree would you be? A typical Drama school questions right? But let's look into this on a deeper level. Because I'm not asking you to 'be the tree'. I'm asking you to understand your roots, and not just culturally, but think more about your values. What are your core values that get you up every day?
Please complete this questionnaire for you Core Values Assessment to aid you with discovery. These results will be shared with me so we can discuss this and how it influences you daily and aids with your training. VCA have paid for this for you, so please do use the survey before next week:
CODE IS:
PREP FOR NEXT LESSON
1. Vocal Warm Up as we are working on voice in this class, with body, mind and emotion, please ensure you are warmed up and ready to go. Feel free to come in 15-20 minutes early to warm up. This space shouldn't be for socialising.
2. Actors Process what is your Actors Process when approaching a script/rehearsal/audition? In this unit I want to walk away with you having a set process, or the start of a basic process
3. Access to Scripts you all have access to this google drive for Heightened Language scripts. You will need to read them and pick your favourite 3 which we will work on throughout the unit.
4. Haiku write yourself 3 descriptive and illustrative haiku's
5. Email kanesf@unimelb.edu.au
THE Wrap up
LAst 5.....
