SCHOOL
PRODUCTIONS
100% KIWI
Taniwha, Taniwha School Production script shortlisted in the Playmarket Plays for the Young Competition 2022
Purchasing a school production gives you access to fully choreographed dance videos tailored to your show, a pdf copy of the script and instructions and/or videos for simple costume ideas.
About Our Productions
Why choose a Hī Hā School Production?
Looking for an all-Kiwi production for your NZ primary or intermediate school?
Hī Hā’s unique dance teacher/children’s author collaboration offers movement-based school productions embracing easy Māori language, culture and history.
*NZ curriculum-friendly *achievable *affordable *fun!
All shows include script, choreo dance videos and costume ideas. Some include innovative StoryDances (just push play, kids move freely to pre-recorded audio – super-easy to rehearse!)
What is a StoryDance?
Some Hī Hā productions include StoryDances in the scripts. So what is a StoryDance, and how do you do it?
A StoryDance is a pre-recorded audio story with actions and movements written into the text, e.g. stretching, twirling, marching, stamping, swaying, jumping. Just push play, tamariki move freely as they listen. Unlike a choreographed dance, there are no exact set moves so it's easy to rehearse. It's also a great device for getting across factual information in an entertaining way. Here are some hints:
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Don't freak out! A StoryDance does not have to be an arty-farty expressive dance! Think of it as 'acting out' the story!
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Encourage tamariki to make up their own moves. It will look more 'chaotic' than a choreographed dance because everyone will be doing their own thing, but this is fine. It's great fun to watch! Once kids get the hang of it, most will absolutely love it!
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Don't stop moving! Continuous movement is the aim. If there are no obvious movements, just keep doing the same move until you hear another, e.g. if there are flames rising and falling, keep stretching and dropping until you hear another movement. If there is marching, keep marching. It's fine to keep doing the same move until you hear the next.
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We strongly encourage you to use the audio rather than getting tamariki to read the StoryDances aloud themselves. They are read by a professional voice actor and unlike the script itself, the text of a StoryDance is not designed to be easy for kids to read aloud. Turn the volume up so everyone can hear the story over all that amazing stamping and clapping!
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Have FUN! Energy is infectious. Your audience will love it!