This
week, we are assigned to do individual monologue performances. I chose “I have a
dream” speech of Martin Luther King. He delivered the speech to a massive group
of civil rights marchers gathered around the Lincoln memorial in Washington DC
on August 28, 1963. Originally, I chose a monologue about the dream of a
musical teacher. I liked it, but I felt that my ideas of dream cannot be
expressed fully through it. I wanted to show a bigger dream that can force me
to use my emotion, facial expression and body movements to have better interpretation.
Therefore, I chose this challenging piece. Because of the special background of
the speech, it requires speaker to show grief and indignation about the unequal
situation. It also requires encouragement from the speaker to his fellow black
people.
Firstly, I read the
speech for several times in my own way. I took notes on my speech to mark for interpretation
for different words. Secondly, I listened to the original version of speech
online. I changed a little intonation, but I still kept my own style. Then, my
group leader used software in smart phone to help me maintain a constant
rhythm. She also gave me specific advices to improve. I memorized the lines
carefully. I found that it was pretty easy to do so if I had read it for too
many times. After taht, another group leader gave me advices on emotional
expression of the speech. Finally, I presented my final draft in front of class.
I still felt shy, but practice helped me a lot. (Special thanks should be given
to Mrs. Guarino for your encouragement to me)
I feel so happy to
have my first speech successfully delivered. I learned a lot through the
process. Firstly and most importantly, I learned to work hard for every single
issue in my life. Honestly, I have never thought of Martin’s effort before. I
had no idea that a successful speech requires so much hard work. I also gained
several skills and strategies to perform. Since I was imitating a person, I had
to find a balance point between acting and my own style. My group leaders
instructed me to go on the right track so that I could have my own
interpretation of Martin Luther King. In addition, I was still not confident
enough to perform. Jaden found a perfect music for my speech. I felt relaxed
with the music. I really felt thankful for everyone who has helped me and
encouraged me.
My favorite speeches
are Jaden’s and Kade’s. Jaden had perfect props and background music. He also
spent a lot of time to get fully prepared for the show. I like his unique
performance. I believe that it will be better if he act and speak in a more
confident way. I also like Kade’s interpretation of character. I like his
movements. His performance is really catchy and fantastic. I feel that it will
be even better if he tries to use some props.
Attached is my speech.
Yellow highlighted parts are keywords. Blue highlighted parts are words that my group leaders suggested me to
work on. / are pauses.
Let us not/wallow/in the valley of despair, I say to you/today,
my friends.
And so--- even though/ we face
the difficulties /of today/ and tomorrow, I still/ have a dream. It is a dream /deeply
rooted/ in the American dream.
I /have a dream /that one day /this
nation will rise up/
and live out the true meaning/ of its creed: "We hold these truths/ to be
self-evident, that all men /are created equal."
I /have a dream /that one day /on
the red hills of Georgia,
the sons of former slaves/ and the sons of/ former slave owners/ will be able
to sit down together /at the table of brotherhood.
I /have a dream/ that one day/ even
the state of Mississippi,
a state sweltering/
with the heat of /injustice,
sweltering/ with the
heat of/ oppression,
will be transformed/ into an oasis
/of freedom and justice.
I /have a dream/ that my four
little children/ will one day/ live in a nation/ where they will not /be judged /by the color /of
their skin/ but by
the content /of their character.
I have a dream /today!
No comments:
Post a Comment