Creating Your Performance

Here are the important documents to consult to help you create your performance and prepare for the contest:

Contest Rules for Performances

This is the Performance section of the full Rule Book.

Who Tells Your Story?

It is important for student's to represent historical characters respectfully through diverse lenses and perspectives. Watch the full webinar recording to get advice from experts on how to do just this! Short for time? Check out the short clips from it on particular subjects below.

Researching Clothing

Avoiding Cultural Appropriation

Avoiding Harmful Stereotypes

What NOT to do in Your NHD Performance

Drafting Your Performance Plan

Though it is not required to submit a written script for your performance this year, we think drafting a performance plan and script are great first steps! Minnesota's National History Day program created several worksheets to help NHD students to create a performance plan. Check them out below!

Performance Idea Map

Performance Scenario Brainstorm

Performance Scene Selection

Quick Tips for Writing a Script

Scripts help you organize your information, pace out your scenes, and make sure you hit all the key points of your historical argument in an interesting and engaging way. Consider these tips when writing your script:

Identify the key information first. Find the quotes, speeches, characters etc. that you know you must include and work the performance around these.
Balance drama with historical evidence. Using quotes, speeches, or excerpts from sources like newspapers can be an excellent way to incorporate evidence and detail that a great performance requires.
Prepare a performance. Don’t prepare an oral report that simply states facts. You need characters to come alive and interact with each other and create dramatic scenes.
Choosing characters. Select characters that can tell the most in your story. Don’t overcomplicate the storyline with too many.
Block. As you write your script, include the actions and placement of your character or characters.
Avoid clutter. Too many props, costumes, or characters will overwhelm your performance.
Length. Written scripts are usually 4-5 pages.
Remember to keep your research central. You want each piece to tie back to your main argument and thesis.
Practice, practice, practice. You won’t use your scripts on stage, so make sure to practice your performance and memorize your lines.

Don't Forget Your Written Materials!

You are required to submit one PDF that contains 3 required written parts in this order: title page, process paper, and annotated bibliography. Click below to learn more about each part.

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