We like to say Large Group Speech is smaller, competitive theatre. So, instead of acting out a whole play or musical, you could be doing a 35 minute One Act Play or a 10 minute Musical Theatre performance. Large Group Speech also includes other communication opportunities like Radio, Short Film, and even Mime!
Large Group consists of both live and pre-recorded events, allowing all students flexibility to participate and compete.
One Act Play, Ensemble Acting, Mime (Group & Solo)
Reader's Theatre, Choral Reading
Musical Theatre
Radio News Broadcasting, TV News, Short Film
Districts: Saturday, January 24, 2026
State: Saturday, February 7, 2026
All-State: Saturday, February 21, 2026
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
Group Mime - A group of 2 to 6 students act out a situation or story with their bodies, no talking is allowed. Music is allowed, but mime makeup is not permitted.
Length: 7 minutes, no dialogue
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 - pre-recorded
Reader's 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 an original film of no more than five minutes. Length: up to 5 minutes - pre-recorded
Solo Mime - You act out a story or situation with your body and facial expression, no talking allowed. Music is allowed, but mime makeup is not permitted.
Length: 5 minutes, no dialogue
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: no more than 10 minutes, with no more than 2 minutes being a commercial - pre-recorded
Looking for the rules? Find them here: https://www.ihssa.org/ihssa-constitution/
One Act Play (NP): The Wolves
Improvisational Acting (NP): McCarthy, Radech, Timmerman, Kramer
Radio News (NP): ZZZZ
Ensemble Acting (NP): The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon
Ensemble Acting (NP): WICKED: A Broadway Abridged Script
Television News: KING
Short Film: DUNK
Choral Reading: Emotional Creature
Musical Theatre: Spamalot
Short Film (NP): Be Where Your Feet Are
Ensemble Acting (NP) : Playwriting 101: The Rooftop Lesson
Choral Reading: Metamorphoses
Readers Theatre (NP): Bullshot Crummond