Individual Events

INDIVIDUAL SPEECH EVENTS

Public Address is the memorized formal presentation of another person’s material that argues, persuades, moves, or attempts to convey understanding of the human experience.  The material should be of the quality to pass the test of time.  Effective techniques for public speaking should be used.  This is not an acting category.  Time limit:  8 minutes

Acting is a memorized presentation of a scene(s) with primarily a serious tone, a humorous tone, or the combination of both.  The performance is limited to 8 minutes.  Acting encourages students to analyze and develop a believable character or characters.

Solo Musical Theater is part of the Acting Category.  Instead of performing a monologue, a student can sing one song with recorded accompaniment.  The student may add choreography, but no dialogue.  Performance time is limited to 5 minutes.  

Interpretative Reading—Poetry is the oral interpretation of a selection of poetic material chosen by the contestant.  Interpretation encourages comprehension, appreciation, and analysis of poetry, demonstrating the ability to evoke audience reaction through interpretation.  Students write an original introduction, which is memorized, and read from a well-practiced script.  Performance is limited to 6 minutes.

Interpretative Reading—Prose is the oral interpretation of a selection(s) of prose material chosen by the contestant.  Students are judged according to the interpretative techniques they use to evoke an audience reaction through interpretation.  Students write original introductions, which are memorized, to their selections and read from a well-practiced script.  Performance time is limited to 6 minutes.

Literary Program consists of a poem(s) and prose that develop a common theme or message.  At least one prose and one poetry selection must be included.  The student will write an original introduction and comments which state the theme of the program early in the performance.  Students read from a well-practiced script.  Performance time is limited to 8 minutes.

Original Oratory is the memorized performance of a speech written by the speaker.  The speech must be inspirational or persuasive, as well as informative.  This event encourages research and logical thinking in the development of the speech as well as encouraging the use of effective public speaking techniques.  Performance time is limited to 8 minutes.

Spontaneous Speaking involves a position speech prepared in a limited period of time at the contest site.  This event encourages the skills of logical analysis, organization, and effective delivery of information on a given topic.  Contestants will draw three controversial topics two minutes prior to their speaking time.  Contestants can use a note card.  Performance time is limited to 5 minutes.

Radio News Announcing is the art of presenting a coherent four to five minute program after selecting, editing, and delivering news material.  Thirty minutes before performance time a student is given wire copy with international news, national news, state news, weather, and sports as well as a commercial to edit and present as a news report.  The speaker is also given a “late-breaking” story during his/her performance which must be inserted into the report and read cold.  Performance time must be between four and five minutes.  The student reads the commentary over a microphone out of view of the judge.

Expository Address is an original informative speech that may be enhanced by the use of audio and/or visual aids.  And expository address encourages the student to develop skills in organization, language choice, and delivery techniques of an informative speech.  The speech is memorized.  Performance time is limited to 6 minutes.

Storytelling is the art of sharing an original or published narrative with a listener.  The story should be the main focus of the presentation.  At the completion of the presentation, the audience should remember the story more than the performance.  The storyteller must retell the story in an energetic way that reflects an enjoyment of sharing his/her story.  The participant remains seated on a stool but can use body language, gestures, facial expression, and vocal techniques to enhance the telling of the story.  The performance is limited to 5 minutes.

Improvisation is the creation and presentation of a story using a situation and two separate characters.  This event encourages students to create interesting and believable characters and to deliver a story in a creative manner from drawn material which includes a situation and two separate character types.  The participant has five minutes to prepare the presentation.  The performance is limited to five minutes.

Reviewing is an original informative speech in which the presenter shares his/her viewpoint of a book, movie, dramatic work, or movie made for television.  Reviewing encourages analysis of a text, logical organization of ideas, and a conversational style of delivery.  The speech is memorized.  Quotations or excerpts from the work may be read or shown, but they should not dominate the presentation.  The performance is limited to 8 minutes.

After Dinner Speaking involves an original speech directed toward a specific audience.  This event encourages the student to create an effective, entertaining speech with a theme.  The speech may be informative, impressive, inspiring, or humorous but must adhere to a theme within a simulated after dinner situation.  Performance time is limited to 5 minutes.

Large Group Events

LARGE GROUP EVENTS

One-Act Play is a 35 minute performance utilizing a simple set, props, costumes, make-up and lighting. There may be auditions for this event.

Readers Theater focuses on the use of interpretative skills to present prose, poetry, or drama without the aid of costumes, make-up, set, or props. Two to fifteen students. Performance time limit is 25 minutes. Readers give a dramatic performance from a script. Some lines may be memorized. Movement and blocking are optional. There will be auditions for this event.

Ensemble Acting is a theatrical performance by two to six people. Ensemble acting encourages actors to develop characters and to interact with other characters. Performance time limit is 15 minutes. Seven uniform chairs and a table are supplied. Blocking and interaction between characters is important. No costumes, make-up, or props. Lines are memorized.

Choral Reading is a group interpretation of a text that uses both solo and ensemble speaking. Participants use a script. The emphasis of this event is a sense of ensemble blend. There will be auditions for this event. Some movement is involved. There will be auditions for this event. Performance time is limited to 15 minutes.

Group Mime is an ensemble of two to six students who create a story or express a message without the use of words. Performance time is limited to 7 minutes. Message should be creatively conveyed through group interaction and reaction, precise movement and timing, and effective facial and bodily expression. Story must have a beginning and an end. Six chairs may be used. Costumes must be uniform. No mime make-up is worn.

Solo Mime (Part of Large Group Contest) is the same as above except there is only one performer. One chair may be used. Performance time limit is 5 minutes.

Group Improvisation involves creating and presenting a story which is based on drawn criteria within a limited preparation time. This event encourages students to cooperatively work as an ensemble to create characters and to develop and spontaneously act out an interesting and logical story. Five uniform chairs may be used. Two to five performers report to the performance room five minutes before they are assigned to appear. They draw three situations and have up to two minutes to select one situation to perform. Performance time is limited to five minutes.

Television Newscasting involves a team of any number of people who do not all have to be in front of the camera. Teams will gather their own copy of materials for the news stories within the school year prior to contest. The report will consist of national, international, and state news; weather; sports; and a 30-60 second commercial. Each presentation will also include a news feature. The presentation must be 12-15 minutes in length and have some elements taped and edited in various locations. All parts of the presentation may be edited. Audio/visual aids may be used. At least one member of the team will present the tape to the judge and view it with the judge at district contest. All members of the team do not have to attend.

Musical Theater consists of a group of two to six students who perform a cutting from a musical which will be limited to 10 minutes. The contestants will utilize the skills of acting, singing, and dancing, if appropriate. All lines and songs will be memorized. Although the scenes will be blocked, contestants will perform without costumes, scenery, props, or make-up. Students will use taped accompaniment.

Radio Broadcasting is an event that involves a team of any number of people who gather their news stories within the school year of the contest. The event requires state, national, and international stories, the weather, and a sports report in addition to a feature and a 30-45 second commercial. It will be pre-taped with limited editing and will be 5-6 minutes in length. This is another opportunity for students who are unable to attend contest and still want to participate.

Short Film is an experimental event involving a team of 2-15 students. The original film can be no longer than five minutes. It must be original in nature and can be performed by students, claymation, animation, or objects. It can include music, dialogue, sound, and visual effects. It will be judged on effective storyline, technical aspects, acting, and overall presentation.

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