District Large Group Contest
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Location: Creston High School
State Large Group Contest
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Location: West Des Moines Valley High School
All-State Festival Large Group Contest
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Iowa State Center, Ames
Choral Reading
Two to fifteen 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 eight 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
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
Two to eight 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
Two to fifteen students interpret a dramatic work or piece of literature with an emphasis on body and vocal expression.
Length: up to 25 minutes with scripts.
Television News
Two to fifteen students gather, edit, and organize a news broadcast which may be traditional news, based around a historical era/event, or have a general theme (sports, cooking, etc). The performance is pre-recorded and requires on and off camera positions.
Length: up to 10 minutes with scripts.
Group & Solo Mime
A group pantomime is an ensemble of students creating a story or expressing a message without the use of words. The solo mime category does the same, but involves only one performer.
Length: up to seven minutes group, up to five minutes solo.
Short Film
Two to fifteen students create an original film of no more than five minutes.
Length: up to five minutes memorized.