Speech Arts Classes

Please refer to the Honours Awards section for award descriptions.

Please refer to Rules specific to the Speech Arts Discipline on Page 5 before submitting entries.

Public Speaking:  TBA entries are allowed in this class only.  Notify the director ASAP with the competitors’ names.  The selection must be the entrant’s original prepared speech. Selections need not be memorized, as notes should be used (but not read from).  Participants will be judged on such details as research, organization, language, and all aspects of delivery and audience appeal.  Scripts are not required by the adjudicator.  The topic need not appear on the entry form.  Marks will be deducted if the speaker is more than one minute over or under the time allowed.  Junior (11 years and under), Intermediate (12–13 years) and Senior (14–15 years) should be 3–5 minutes long and Open (over 15 years) should be 5–8 minutes.

Choral Speech:  In cases where mixed grades are in one class, please choose selections for the top grade.  The Class number is that of the oldest grade (i.e. Grade 1/2 would be Class 3007).  Group entries must have 8 or more participants.  All classes are required to have two selections.  These selections should contrast in mood, rhythm, or feeling.

Choral Drama:  Involves the speaking of the text by a speech choir.  Actors may then add movement, mime, solo voices and characterizations to help tell the story.  Some costumes, props, music and sound effects may be included.  The group leader may assist with set-up, and may conduct the group, but should not participate verbally.  No spoken voices should be on tape.  Time limit for set-up and performance must not exceed 10 minutes.

Lyric Poetry:  A lyric is a short unified poem, expressing the poet’s own experience, thoughts and feelings. The lyric does not tell a story or contain dialogue but describes a scene or emotion in a subjective manner, and is rarely, if ever, humorous.  It is usually performed in a relaxed sitting or standing position with no movement. (e.g. “The Swing” by Robert Louis Stevenson or “Daffodils” by William Wordsworth).  Time limit is 3 minutes.

Narrative or Dramatic Poetry:  A narrative poem tells a story and usually contains dialogue.  The telling of the story is the primary concern of the speaker.  A portion of a longer poem may be chosen rather the complete work.  A dramatic poem portrays a character distinct from the poet. Both types of poem are written objectively and may be humorous.  Gesture may be included to enhance the telling of the story. (e.g. “Hiding” by Dorothy Aldis or “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe).  Time limit is 4 minutes.

Sonnet:  Any sonnet by any sonneteer!  One own choice selection.

Poems for Two:  Any type of poem may be chosen and performed by two contestants.  Some of the best poems include dialogue between two characters.  The best performances would include places where each voice speaks alone and in combination.  Gesture and limited staging may be used to enhance the performance.

Canadian Poetry:  Each contestant must select a poem written by a Canadian poet, which must be memorized.

Original Poetry:  Each contestant shall present a poem written by himself/herself, not necessarily memorized.

Humorous Poetry:  Any form of light or humorous verse.  Gesture may be included to enhance the performance.

Story Telling:  The participant will be required to tell a short story.  It may be original or the retelling of a known story.  Stories with a clear narrative work best.  Stories must be told, not read, and must be told in the entrant’s own words.  Good storytelling sounds spontaneous rather than memorized.  The use of props is discouraged in Festival Standard storytelling.  Titles to be announced at the time of the performance as scripts are not required by the adjudicator.  Time limit is 5 minutes.

Impromptu Story Telling:  Participants are given 2 minutes to look at a picture.  They must then tell a story based on the picture.  Time limit is 5 minutes.

Story Reading:  Entrants will read a story from a book of their own choice.  Performances will be adjudicated on vocal skill, quality of presentation, and suitability of the presentation style for the “target audience” of the particular story.  Preferably, the older the participant, the more complex the story should be.  Longer stories may be edited to fit the time limits.  Titles are not required with the entry form.  Time limit is 5 minutes.  Please edit stories to fit time limit.

Memorized Prose:  Each reading should be a complete story or a piece from a story that is complete in itself.  The story must be memorized, not read.  Time must be between 2 and 4 minutes.

Bible Reading:  A selection from any version of the Bible.  The selection should be read and should not appear memorized, except in the youngest class, where entrants may choose to present their work from memory.  Participants will read from their own copy of the Bible.  Please provide an additional copy of unusual versions (i.e. not King James Version) for the adjudicator.  Please indicate version, book, chapter and verses on the entry form.  Time limit is 3 minutes.

Sight Reading:  A suitable prose selection is provided at the time of the performance.  No preparation time is allowed.

Reader’s Theatre:  Maximum of 12 participants per group.  The entrants are required to present a play or story in the Reader’s Theatre script.  Groups may dramatize stories or books, or use an existing reader’s theatre script.  Some movement is permissible, but emphasis should be on the use of the voice.  Scripts must be carried, but may be used merely as props, rather than read from.  Simple costumes are permissible.  Time limit is 15 minutes, including set-up and performance.

Drama Division

Mime:  Mimes may be individual or presented by groups of not more than six members.  The selection is to be prepared in advance.  The contestant(s) are expected to introduce the Mime with a title.  Title of mime and name(s) of individuals must be on the entry form.  If time is required to set up props, please indicate on entry form.  No more than 3 minutes will be allowed for setting up props.  Time limits for performances are: 9 and under – 5 minutes, 10-11 years – 8 minutes, 12-13, 14-15 years and Open – 10 minutes.

Dramatic Scene – Monologue: A solo dramatic scene should be a speech of one character from a published play.  Lines of other characters may be deleted, but the solo should be performed as if part of the whole play.  Reading the entire play helps to find the character.  Simple costumes and props may be used, and movement may be employed to help express the character.  Indicate on the entry form: play, author, act, scene, character.  Time limit is 5 minutes including title and introductions.

Dramatic Scene – Duo: A scene for two players from any play.  May be adapted from a story.  Scene should be staged as though taken from the complete performance.  Simple costumes and props may be used.  Indicate on the entry form: play, author, act, scene, character.

Dramatic Scene – Group: A scene for 3–7 players. Selection should be a play or portion of a play, or a dramatization of a story. A single scene often works best.  Lines must be memorized.  If used, costumes and props should be kept simple. Indicate on the entry form: play, author, act, scene, character. Time limit is 15 minutes, including introduction.

Improvisation:  A team of 4 or 5 students will be given a subject by the Adjudicator.  The team will have 5 minutes to prepare a scene to be acted out by them.  A teacher or adult may help with the preparation but may not participate nor coach.  In this class of drama section, practice really does make a difference.

Puppetry:  1 to 3 puppeteers will present a puppet play using any type of puppets and staging.  Original or published plays may be used.  Entries will be judged on vocal skills and overall entertainment value.  Include a copy of any original work with entry.  Time limit is 10 minutes including set-up and performance.

Shakespeare – Solo Scene: A monologue of one character from a play by William Shakespeare.  Lines of other characters may be cut, and a series of speeches performed as a monologue if the sense of the passage can be maintained. Simple costumes may be worn.  Indicate on the entry form: play, act, scene and character.

Shakespeare – Duo:  A scene for two from any of Shakespeare’s plays, to be performed as if from the play in its entirety.  Costumes and simple props may be used. Indicate on the entry form: play, act, scene, beginning and ending.

Shakespeare – Group:  A scene for 3–7 players from any play by William Shakespeare, presented as if part of the whole play.  Costumes and simple props may be used.  Indicate on the entry form: play, act and scene.

Speech Arts Classes

Drama Classes

Shakespeare

Cariboo Festival Society 1974 Fox Mt. Rd. Williams Lake, B.C. V2G 5B5

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