How to do a Harangue
Definition: a loud address to a multitude of people.
Purposes: a harangue will be a structure to explore impulses one at a time using memory, sound, mood, movement, and space. That’s right, they don’t have to be verbal. They might be completely silent! It is an improv that gets at the heart of what you want to say on stage.
The structure. 1) Choose which variable (memory, sound, etc.). 2) Choose what length of time: 30 sec., one minute, two minutes, or three minutes. 3) Choose whether you are haranguing the audience, yourself, or the world. I suppose you could harangue a pet, wooden dummy, or imaginary bad date, as well.
How: just start talking or moving and don’t stop no matter what! Follow what is interesting and go for it. Expand and develop it. Follow it to its logical conclusion and then KEEP GOING FURTHER into absurdity if you want. Remember the comic principles of repetition, reversal, and surprise. Don’t censor yourself (except for gross obscenity, please). Say the first thing that comes into your head and run with it. If you can, stick to it until something takes off, but if something entirely different comes up that is BETTER, go with that!
Rules: look at the audience, a lot. Really look at the audience, a lot. Really do a lot of takes to the audience, a lot. Don’t stop moving or talking, no matter what, until the timer says, “time.” The best stuff will come out of you when you have completely dried up and HAVE TO KEEP GOING! No gross obscenity, please.
The Timer: The timer says “go,” and the timer says “stop” when the time you’ve agreed on is up. The timer may also coach you to “keep going,” if you stop speaking or moving.
Whatever you do, don’t have any fun with these. (Just kidding!)
Possible Topics(I’m sure you’ll come up with your own as well.)
One-minute Monolgues:
Give an open-ended speech.
Tell your life story.
Explain a pet peeve.
Describe what you feel passionately.
Describe what prevents you form being passionate.
Explain why you enjoy being on stage.
Speak authoritatively about something you know nothing about.
Explore a metaphor and amplify it to the nth degree.
Impersonate someone from your past.
Two-minutes, no sound
Explore all the movement dynamics you can.
Always look at the audience.
Keep your back to the audience.
Explore a metaphor and amplify it to the nth degree.
Be nervous, no fourth wall.
Be calm.
Play with the architecture of the space.
Two-minute, verbal and physical
Do an open-ended piece.
Physically portray every sound you can think of.
Start a gesture, accumulate associations, and build to a climax.
Enter and complete one, specific task.
Do five entrances and exits.
Give a “what would you change about the world” monologue.