Humorous and Serious solo

Humorous and Serious Solo Tips for Success

For HSA:

• Introduction needs a LOL moment

• Introduction should cover the social implications (if there are any ☺)

• Sound effects

• Crisp pops at the toes

• At least 4 characters

  • Caricatures

  • Voices/accents

  • Mannerisms

• Plot line has to have some merit—can’t be purely slapstick ☹

• Gimmicks: accents, singing, beat-boxing, dancing, body drumming, rhythm, weird noises/faces

For SSA:

• Main character needs to be someone the audience can empathize with—be the character

• Find pieces suitable for male and female judges

Rules for Humorous and Dramatic Interpretation/Acting:

• The performance hall not be more than 10 minutes in length including an introduction. A student may participate and qualify in both serious and humorous solo acting categories.

• Selections shall be memorized and given without notes. Prompting shall not be allowed.

• The entire stage area may be used. Stage makeup, costumes or properties shall be prohibited with the exception of a chair.

• The actor should use only actions motivated by the language/characterization of the selection.

• A person who qualifies in humorous interpretation is eligible for humorous solo acting at state speech championship and state speech and drama festival. (The event sponsored by KSHSAA is solo acting. However, some tournaments use humorous interpretations which limits movement and action more than the acting event.)

• A selection shall be taken from a published work of humorous literature and shall NOT be transcribed from records, tapes, television, movies, or be the original work of the student or coach. Selections can include published play scripts, short stories, novels, poetry and published television or movie scripts. In the event of a challenge, the coach or sponsor must produce the original or copy of the publication at regional and state festivals or championships.