I was planning to perform an HI piece too during this Thursday's meeting. Will you be able to make it on August 9, 2008? I could
reschedule/add another meeting.
In order to be competitive, you need to display a large amount of tech in HI. This involves "popping" into different characters.
Transitions could be established through creating sounds. Ex. After you transition from the playground to the kitchen, you could
make "bzzzzz" sound. Whatever transition technique you choose, it should be consistent. Otherwise, the judges would be confused.
Also, the introduction is fairly important. It generally ranges from 30 seconds-1:30. It establishes the mood for your piece. Ideally,
it would enrapture the audience immediately. Often, HI-ers would include a snippet of their piece, known as the teaser. Then they
would properly introduce their piece.
Introduction Example: (Note: I wrote his piece. It cannot be used as an HI piece. )
Billy: Sometimes I feel like a piece of poo because I always attract overgrown flies.
Bully: I’m going to snap your head and grind it up and turn you to beef jerky!
Mean girl: *cheering enthusiastically* U-G-L-Y, you ain’t got no alibi, you ...interesting!
Billy: They are always picking on me. And it makes me so angry. What should I do?
Evil girl: *Rubbing a cat* Hello Billy Boy. Let us set fire to the school! It’s what you want isn’t it? These conformists…if they want to be like each other so much, let them die together!
Billy: Fire? Mommy told me not to play with fire.
Evil girl: Don’t worry. I …took care of mommy. Here take the matchsticks. I’m sure you’ll change your mind.
Billy: Ooh…me likey. *Billy lights a matchstick while giggling like a maniac*
Goth friend: Yes, that’s right Billy…use that anger. Then release your wrath onto your fellow 5th graders! Make them call for their mommy. Get their hopes up … and then slam their dreams down! *Slams cat on the floor/ Splat sound* Darn it. Now I have to get new one.
Performer: Insert a witty joke and introduce the piece. Ex. In life, where there is a Billy, there is a bully. School ought to be a sanctuary for the intellectually inclined. Not a graveyard. Then mention title of the piece and author. Ex. “Billy’s Back” by Lan Le.
Clichés aside, this is a basic example of an introduction. You can always adjust it to maximize the effect. Hopefully that was not too
confusing. It will clearer through demonstration.