Dramatic Duet Acting
Dramatic Duet Acting
Two competitors team up to deliver an 8-minute dramatic performance of a published play or story. Using on and off-stage focus, competitors develop characters, convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters. A table and two chairs are provided. No props or costumes are used.
Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece of quality dramatic literature up to 8-minutes in length. Dramatic elements are key aspects of the event. With a spotlight on character development and depth, this event focuses on the student’s ability to convey emotion using a dramatic text. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters focusing on portraying a realistic, emotional journey of a character(s). The performance should connect to the audience.
Extemp is a speech on current events with limited preparation time. Students are presented with a choice of three questions related to national and international current events. The student has 30 minutes to prepare a 7-minute speech answering the selected question. During the prep time, students must select a question, review research, outline arguments with supporting materials, and practice the speech before time expires. When prep time is up, the student reports to the competition room to deliver a 7-minute speech. Students may consult articles and evidence they gather prior to the contest but may not use the internet during preparation.
Two competitors team up to deliver an 8-minute humorous performance of a published play or story. Using on and off-stage focus, competitors develop characters, convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters. A table and two chairs are provided. No props or costumes are used.
Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece of quality humorous literature up to 8-minutes in length. Humorous Interpretation is designed to test a student’s comedic skills through script analysis, delivery, timing, and character development. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters to convey relatable stories using humor as a device to appeal and connect with the audience. No props or costumes may be used.
Impromptu is a public speaking event where students have 2 minutes to select a topic, brainstorm their ideas, outline and deliver a 6-minute speech. Topics are based upon prompts that range from quotations, phrases, and proverbs. Impromptu speaking tests a student’s ability to analyze a prompt, process his or her thoughts, organize the points of the speech, and deliver them in a clear, coherent manner. Students’ logic is extremely important. They must be able to take an idea and put together a speech that has a thesis and supporting information incorporated into an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Crafting an original speech, students should describe, clarify, illustrate, or define an object, idea, organization, product, concept, or process. The speech should guide students in audience analysis, topic selection, research, organization and development of a sense of literary style in speech designed to elevate of level of significant information for an audience. The goal is to educate not advocate. An effective Informative introduces the audience to either a completely new topic or something new about a topic people may know a lot about.
Oratorical Declamation is the oral presentation of persuasive or inspirational material of literary merit from memory. The purpose of Oratorical Declamation is to acquaint students with notable examples of persuasive or inspirational literature and provide them an opportunity to develop skills of interpretation and delivery through the preparation and oral presentation of such examples. Material must come from appropriate printed, published sources and must meet high standards for good literature. Material can come from editorial, essays, speeches, commencement address, etc. and be pertinent to current issues.
Original Comedy is the oral presentation of the student’s original comedic work. The purpose of Original Comedy is to enable students to employ their creative skills in the writing and presentation of humorous material designed to appropriately entertain. The content, format, style and thought of the material must be the product of the contestant. There shall be no restriction on form. It may be dialogue, monologue or a combination.
Original Oratory is a speech written by the student with the intent to persuade the audience on a topic of significance. Oratory provides students the unique opportunity to showcase their voice and passion for their topic. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, competitors craft a self-written 8-minute argument on a well-researched and organized persuasive topic with evidence, logic, and emotional appeals, to convey a message.
Using a selection or selections of literature, students provide an oral interpretation of poetry. Poetry is characterized by published writing that conveys ideas, experiences, and emotions through language and expression. Students may choose traditional poetry, often characterized by rhyme or rhythm, or nontraditional poetry, which often has a rhythmic flow but is not necessarily structured by formal meter While Poetry may tell a story or develop a character, more often Poetry’s focus on language and form are designed to elicit critical thought, reflection, or emotion.
Using a short story, parts of a novel, or other published work of prose, students provide an oral interpretation of a selection of materials. Typically, a single piece of literature, prose can be drawn from works of fiction or non-fiction. Prose corresponds to common speech patterns and may combine elements of narration, and dialogue with its related rises and falls. Prose may also feature character development.
Radio Speaking is the oral presentation of a newscast in which a student is provided limited preparation time to select, cut, and prepare to deliver an original 5-minute broadcast of news stories and a commercial indicating their knowledge of compiling provided stories. The purpose of Radio Speaking is to encourage a student to gain experiences in broadcasting concentrating on clarity, style and delivery.
Special Occasion Speaking is the oral presentation of the student’s original speech where the student is himself or herself at his or her current age speaking in a realistic situation for the purpose of entertaining an audience. The purpose of Special Occasion Speaking is to provide an opportunity for competitors to present a practical message in an entertaining manner under simulated “real life” conditions organized around a central theme and designed to make a serious point using humor.