Utah High School Shakespeare Competition

PACKING LIST

Clothes:  

• Pajamas for 2 nights 

• 2 Underwear

• 2 Socks 

• 2 Pants

• 2 Tops

• Shoes (You’ll be walking a lot)

• Coat

• Olympus Merch

• Extra layers in case it is colder than expected (Such as a coat/extra sweatshirt) 

• Maybe an extra pair of clothes in case you need them 

Costume There is an optional costume contest that you can participate in

Toiletries 

• Toothbrush

• Toothpaste

• Floss

• Hair product (Hairspray, gel, etc.)

• Comb/Brush

• Deodorant

• Lotion

• Shower needs (Shampoo, conditioner, soap/body wash, razor if applicable).  

• Medications

Extras (Optional)  

• Homework/Book/quiet activity for downtime 

• Headphones/Music 

• Blanket/Pillow for drive down

• Snacks (especially if you are a picky eater or have health issues )  

• Health insurance card 

• Required medications 

• Money: Debit/Credit Card/ Cash 

• Electronics: 

  • Phone

  • Chargers

  • Chromebook 

Acting Monologue

A monologue is one person portraying the role of one person. A monologue may also consist of an interpretation of a sonnet or one of Shakespeare’s poems. The time range is 2-4 minutes with a 15 second allowance. Timing begins after the introduction. Any performer going over or under time in 2 or more rounds will receive a 10 point deduction. This deduction will also be reflected in the team’s total sweepstakes points.

Acting Duo/Trio Scenes

A duo/trio scene is between two or three characters with an emphasis on interpretation and relationships. Time range is 3-5 minutes with a 15 second allowance. Timing begins after the introduction. Any scene going over or under time in 2 or more rounds will receive a 10 point deduction. This deduction will also be reflected in the team’s total sweepstakes points.

Acting Ensemble Scene

The ensemble scene will consist of no less than 4 participants. Scenes may be from any of Shakespeare’s plays with an emphasis on interpretation and ensemble work. Time range for the scene is 6-10 minutes with a 15 second allowance. Timing begins after the introduction. Any scene going over or under time will receive a 10 point deduction. This deduction will also be reflected in the team’s total sweepstakes points.

Evaluation Criteria

Scenes will be evaluated based on:

• Voice (Diction and Projection)

• Body (Physicalization, Blocking, and Movement)

• Character (Objectives/Motivation, Tactics/Actions, Presence, and Communication)

• Text (Language, Understanding, Rhythm, and Tempo)

Regulations

A participant should not use a cutting in acting monologues or acting duo/trio scenes from a play or be involved in an acting ensemble scene from which they have already participated in previously at the Shakespeare Competition. Material performed by a participating school in the last 3 years should not be repeated by that school. It is encouraged that schools use a variety of Shakespeare’s works from year-to-year to expose students to different titles. Utilizing the same material within a 3 year time period could result in disqualification.

Use of props, costumes, make-up, and/or sound is optional. All audio equipment must be provided by the participating school and electrical power is not guaranteed in every performance space. Adjudicators do not consider costumes, make-up, and/or props when scoring pieces in order to focus on the acting of the piece. For this reason, we encourage you to simplify your design elements.

Participant performers should not pull additional audience members up onto the stage even in a capacity where the audience member doesn’t speak as that increases the number of performers in a piece and would be in violation of the rules.

The use of glitter, confetti, and/or liquids (blood, paint, beverages(other than water) , etc.), will result in immediate disqualification.

Contact slaps, punches, or other forms of violence are not tolerated and will result in disqualification. Please practice appropriate stage combat that has no chance for injury.

First, second, and third place will be awarded in each acting event in all 6 divisions. 

Additionally, a first, second, and third place sweepstakes will be awarded in each division. Sweepstakes will be calculated by adding the scores of each piece. Acting duo/trio scenes and acting ensemble scenes are weighted so that each category is worth 900 points. The acting sweepstakes score is out of a total 2,700 points.

Acting Monologues: 3 monologues x 3 judges x 100 points = 900 points

Acting Duo/Trio Scenes: 2 scenes x 3 judges x 100 points x 1.5 = 900 points

Acting Ensemble Scenes: 1 scene x 3 judges x 100 points x 3 = 900 points

The purpose of the Music Competition is to encourage students to explore and develop a relationship with the music/style of Shakespeare’s era.

Evaluation Criteria

Music will be evaluated based on:

• Tone

• Intonation

• Technique

• Balance & Blend

• Interpretation/Style

• Rhythmic Accuracy

• Overall Musical Effect

Music Events

At this time there will be no divisions in this competition. There are four categories of competition: Troubadour, Minstrel, Canzonetta, and Madrigal.

Troubadour

One entry per school. A solo or small ensemble of 1-5 individual parts. Groups may be a mixture of voice and instrument, all instruments, all voices, or unaccompanied/accompanied solo.

Performance includes one piece up to 5 minutes. Groups will have 15 minute slots including onstage comments from adjudicators.

Live accompaniment only; all performers must be students only. This includes accompanists.

Repertoire: Any piece (sacred or secular) composed in the Renaissance style.

Minstrel

One entry per school. A small ensemble of 6-10 people. Groups may be a mixture of voice and instrument, all instruments, or all voices.

Performance includes one piece up to 5 minutes. Groups will have 15 minute slots including onstage comments from adjudicators.

Live accompaniment only; all performers must be students only. This includes accompanists.

Repertoire: Any piece (sacred or secular) composed in the Renaissance style.

Canzonetta

One entry per school. A choral group of 10-16 people with or without piano accompaniment.

Performances include 1-3 pieces up to 10 minutes. Groups will have 15 minute slots including onstage comments from adjudicators.

Repertoire: Any piece (sacred or secular) composed in the Renaissance style.

Live accompaniment only. Must be a student.

Madrigal

One entry per school. A choral group of 17+ people with or without piano accompaniment .

Performances include 1-3 pieces up to 10 minutes. Groups will have 15 minute slots including onstage comments from adjudicators.

Repertoire: Any piece (sacred or secular) composed in the Renaissance style.

Live accompaniment only. Must be a student.

Regulations

It is requested for schools to provide 3 copies of the music for the adjudicators.

Any performance going over or under time will result in a 7 point deduction.

Material performed by a participating school in the last 3 years, should not be repeated by that school. It is encouraged that schools use a variety of works from year-to-year to expose students to various works. Utilizing the same material within a 3 year time period could result in disqualification.

NOTE: Repertoire of the period with any instrument combinations is desired. Creativity in combinations is encouraged.

Awards

Awards for first, second, and third place will be given in each of the 4 music categories.

A music sweepstakes award will be given for the school with the highest cumulative score from each of the 4 categories.

A separate choral awards ceremony will be held on the Friday night of Competition (Oct 3).

Music Repertoire

Please reference the Music Repertoire List for sources to purchase music.

NOTE: Repertoire of the period with any instrument combinations is desired. Creativity in combinations is encouraged.

Tech Events

Tech Olympics

In order to compete, each school must:

1. Complete the intent to participate and indicate TECH as an event for your school.

2. Register your Tech Olympic Team during the official registration period on the registration website.

3. Watch this page and sign-up for a time as soon as the sign-up link is available. It is the teacher’s responsibility to sign up for a specific time slot prior to the competition.

One team of 1-8 members per school is allowed. A team member completes in one or more of the following events:

• Audio

• Lighting

• Props

• Carpentry

• Costumes

• Stage management

• Hair and Make-up

• Rigging

Specific tasks for each of these categories are not revealed until the team competes.

Schools must sign-up for a start time for Tech Olympics. (Sign-ups will be available at a later date.) You will receive a Remind text notification once time slots are available.

Tech Portfolios

Students can enter their technical and/or design portfolios for review by professionals at the competition and receive a written and verbal evaluation. Each school is allowed 3 entries.

Students will submit a PDF version of their portfolio to the Tech Competition which will then be uploaded to a website. Students’ work will be displayed digitally throughout the competition as well as during their interviews.

The PDFs must be a portfolio of work showing the student’s design/technical skills. It should include a resume and any pertinent draftings, renderings, models, photos, sketches, and research designs. Please include high resolution images of three-dimensional items (i.e. costumes, models, etc.) including multiple angles as there will be no physical displays or spaces available.

By entering the Portfolio Presentation Competition students acknowledge that their portfolios may be used during a Tech Portfolio Workshop.

Students will sign up for a time to present their portfolio to the panel of judges. This interview does not affect the portfolio’s score.

Tech Awards

Tech Olympics Evaluation & Awards

Awards are given to individual event winners in all 6 divisions based on time, execution, and accuracy.

First, second, and third place will be awarded to overall team winners based on cumulative time, execution, and accuracy.

Tech Portfolio Evaluation & Awards

A panel of judges will review the portfolio and judge them based on ease of comprehension, presentation, and overall effect. The judges will provide written and verbal critiques to each participating student.

The panel of judges will consult and pick the top portfolios.

The highest scoring high school senior will receive a $1,000 scholarship to Southern Utah University. The best overall portfolio will be awarded a scholarship.

Portfolio Example Critique

Resume

1. 1.  is clear, has all the pertinent information:

   2. Contact info for person

   3. References

   4. Areas of skill broken down into categories with brief descriptions of what work is entailed

   5. It is not too fussy

   6. 2 columns or one is personal preference, just use the page and make sure all the info is there

   7. Keep it to one page if you can, always

Portfolio

2. 1. Has an index so we can easily navigate it

   2. Each project shown has research, sketches (samples of thought process), a few words to describe the work, process photos, and production photos that focus on the object being shown.

   3. Sometimes having a full stage production shot is good to show the scale of production, but make sure it makes sense.

   4. Show your work, tell your story, which this portfolio does well.

   5. Includes work from more than one show

   6. Has variety

   7. There are enough words we know what we are looking at, but most of the weight is in the photos and sketches.

   8. The photos are large enough you can see some detail and understand what you are looking at.

   9. One project can cover multiple pages, or a single page, use the space you need to make it clear.

   10. There is a style to the overall package, it is not scrapbook like or overly done but is clean and consistent

   11. There is some variety of work, while also being focused enough we as viewers know the interest of the person submitting the portfolio.

   12. The process is good to see, but doesn’t need to be on every project, once the viewer knows you have a skill you don’t have to show it every time.

Larry Lott Award: In conjunction with the ensemble scene competition, judges recognize the best actor in an ensemble scene in each division. The recipient of this award receives a certificate for their accomplishment and, if a senior, a $1000 scholarship to SUU.

Barbara Barrett Award: Given to highest scoring Juniors and under in the Monologue and Duo/Trio competition. ($500 scholarship to the Festival’s summer Actor Training Camp or Junior Actor Training Camp)

Ray Jones Award: Given to highest scoring seniors in the Monologue and Duo/Trio competition. ($1,000 to SUU)