Preparing for the Coffee House Performance

Please use today's class to prepare and rehearse your pieces for the upcoming Coffeehouse Performance. The performance is next Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7:00. You should plan on arriving at the theater by 6:45 so you can prepare mentally for your performance.

IMPORTANT: Today please get into groups of 4-5 and help each other perform by giving each performer time to rehearse, perform, and receive feedback. Use the class period today to prepare, rehearse, and receive feedback. Don't give in the temptation of just skipping this step. Your performance (and grade) will suffer for it during our coffeehouse presentation next week. Use the time I'm giving you to prepare your work so you can do the best job you are capable of!

You may use the room next door to split up if the substitute allows you to.

Details about the event:

1. You may read up to 3 poems or 1 short story (no longer than 3 minutes, please)
2. You must introduce yourself and let your audience know what you are planning on reading.
Example: "Hello, I am Mr. Craddock and I will be reading 2 poems tonight entitled: Poem #1 and Untitled Poem #347."
3. Always breathe and take a slight pause between transitions (that includes your greeting and the reading of the poem)
4. Perform your poems with energy, volume, and effective speech techniques. You should be using the techniques and skills we have been discussing in class to communicate your idea (your poem/story) to your audience.

REMEMBER: Effective performance is based on a few things:

• 1. Preparation (rehearsal) -- knowing what you are saying and why.
• 2. Voice (how you sound: volume, pacing, pitch, tone, elocution, and appropriateness of voice)
• 3. Character (how you portray a character both vocally and physically)
• 4. Energy
• 5. Making choices. A good performer makes deliberate choices about voice, character, energy, tone, and rehearses these choices to deliver a solid performance.

HOMEWORK: Rehearse your chosen poem.