Speech Contest

IOWA HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH ASSOCIATION

Hempstead competes in Large Group and Individual Events Speech Contests. Participation in IHSSA is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in acting, singing, dancing, improvisation, oratorical skills, and ensemble performance. There is a separate JV team for 9th grade participants (depending on group numbers).

What is the IHSSA?

The Iowa High School Speech Association consists of high schools from all over Iowa, we are in the Northeast District of Iowa.

At district contest, students perform for a single judge, and must receive a Division I Rating to move on to State. At State, students perform for three judges and must earn an overall Division I Rating AND receive nominations from judges to move on to All-State. At Large Group All-State Festival, students may earn the Critic's Choice Award from the judge as the best performance of the day.

Fall Informational Meeting

Be sure to attend our annual informational meeting held in October. At this meeting, you will be able to learn about the different categories and sign up for auditions. This meeting is also important to the team to determine how many students are interested in being involved so we can finalize coaching assignments.

Auditions

Contest auditions will be held in October for both Large Group and Individuals. You will be asked to prepare 1-2 minute monologue (can be acting, literary, or a speaking piece) perform an improvisation and 16 bars of a song (only for improv/ musical theatre spots)

Rehearsal Information

A detailed rehearsal schedule will be released when the IHSSA events are cast by the directors. Most Large Group

Events rehearse 1-2 hours per week. Practices are help Mon. Wed. and Fri. and do not conflict with musical rehearsals. Individual Events rehearsals are scheduled by the students and are typically 30-45 minutes per week. We will schedule around most conflicts, so you are able to participate in other activities and/or work during the IHSSA season.

Contest Dates/Locations

  • DISTRICT LARGE GROUP
  • January 23, 2016
  • Cascade High School
  • Cascade, Iowa
  • STATE LARGE GROUP
  • February 6, 2016
  • Waterloo West HIgh School
  • ALL-STATE LARGE GROUP
  • February 20-21, 2015
  • Iowa State University
  • Ames, Iowa
  • DISTRICT INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
  • February 27, 2015
  • Maquoketa Valley High School
  • Delhi, Iowa
  • STATE INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
  • March 12,2015
  • Dubuque Senior High School
  • Dubuque, Iowa
  • ALL-STATE INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
  • April 4, 2015
  • University of Northern Iowa
  • Cedar Falls, Iowa

DESCRIPTION OF LARGE GROUP EVENTS

Choral Reading - a group of 2 to 15 students perform a collection of works with an emphasis on ensemble reading

(may include singing). Facial expression and vocal blend are important.

Length: up to 15 minutes with scripts

Ensemble Acting - two to six students act out a scene from a play or book. A table and chairs are the only props

allowed, and no costumes or makeup is permitted.

Length: up to 15 minutes memorized

Group Improvisation - two to five students are given a situation and improvise a scene with limited preparation

time. Creativity, working together, and character development are essential.

Length: 3-5 minutes without scripts

Musical Theatre - two to six students perform song(s) and scene(s) from a musical. A table and chairs are the

only props allowed, and no costumes or makeup is permitted.

Length: up to 10 minutes memorized

One Act Play - a group of two or more students perform one act of a play on the stage. Costumes, makeup, props

and sets are permitted.

Length: up to 35 minutes memorized

Radio Broadcasting - a group of up to 8 students gather, edit, and organize a radio broadcast which includes

news, sports, and weather. The performance is pre-recorded.

Length: between 5-6 minutes with scripts

Readers Theatre - a group of between 2 and 15 interpret a dramatic work or piece of literature with an emphasis

on body and vocal expression.

Length: up to 25 minutes with scripts

Short Film - A group of between 2 and 15 students create a film of no more than five minutes. Length:

up to 5 minutes memorized

Television News - a group of 8-12 students gather, edit, and organize a news broadcast which includes news,

sports, and weather. The performance is pre-recorded and requires on and off camera positions.

Length: between 12-15 minutes with scripts

DESCRIPTION OF INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

Acting - a student acts out a monologue from a play, serious or humorous. Only a single chair may be used.

Length: up to 8 minutes memorized

After Dinner Speaking - a student writes and delivers a humorous speech intended for a particular audience.

Length: up to 5 minutes memorized with notes not to exceed 50 words on a notecard

Expository Address - a student writes and delivers an informative speech on a topic of interest.

Length: up to 6 minutes memorized with notes not to exceed 50 words on a notecard

Improvisational Acting - a student draws characters and a situation and acts out a scene with limited preparation.

Length: up to 5 minutes imagination needed

Literary Program - a combination of prose and poetry is presented on a theme. Facial and vocal expression are

key.

Length: up to 8 minutes with script

Original Oratory - a student writes and delivers a persuasive speech on a topic of interest. A lectern may be used.

Length: up to 8 minutes memorized with notes not to exceed 50 words on a notecard

Poetry/Prose - a student interprets works of either poetry or prose. Interpretion and expression are essential.

Length: up to 6 minutes with script

Public Address - a student selects a speech originally delivered by another, communicating the intent of the

author.

Length: up to 8 minutes memorized with notes not to exceed 50 words on a notecard

Radio News - a student prepares a news program with given news copy in 30 minutes. A speaker system is used

with the audience located in another room.

Length: between 4-5 minutes with script

Review - a student writes and delivers a critical analysis of a book, movie, video game, or any other media.

Length: up to 8 minutes memorized with notes not to exceed 50 words on a notecard

Solo Musical Theatre - a student performs one song from a musical using recorded music. A single chair may be

used. Length: up to 5 minutes memorized

Spontaneous - a student draws a contemporary issue topic to speak about with 3 minutes of preparation.

Research is important in this category.

Length: up to 5 minutes

Storytelling - a student tells a children's story with facial and body expression. A stool may be used.

Length: up to 5 minutes memorized