SPEECH AND DRAMATIC ARTS

These rules apply to Penticton Festival Only – Provincial Rules Vary

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COMPETITION AND ADJUDICATION PROCESS

Each competitor must submit an original copy of his or her speech arts selections to the adjudicator's secretary at least 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the class in which he or she is to perform.  The Title, Author, Publisher and name of the publication from which the selection is taken must be specified on the entry form - please be legible. The selected material must be indicated clearly, noting the page, starting and finishing lines. The use of photocopied material is prohibited unless approved through CanCopy or a publisher’s letter. In addition to the original copy of the work, competitors must provide a copy of the script, as a courtesy to the adjudicator. Such copies shall be destroyed following the class.

All selections must be memorized unless otherwise stated.

TIME LIMITS

 All selections must be accurately timed and stated on the entry form. In the Speech Arts Division, timing shall “begin with the first word or stage movement and extend to the final word or stage movement”, but shall not include announcement of the title/author, nor the verbal introduction (see class descriptions for more information), nor applause.

Competitors must enter at least 3 classes to be eligible to advance to the BC Provincial Finals.

Language and content of selections must be of appropriate/acceptable language for all age levels of participants and audience.

COSTUMES AND PROPS

Costuming and props are only permitted for Drama selections and for Shakespeare classes and must be integral to the selection. Competitors should choose material which requires an absolute minimum of props and these should be portable. Competitors must be able to set up their props in a minimum amount of time and without assistance. All props and costumes remain the sole responsibility of the competitor.

Competitors should use good judgment in selections, and suitable dress for their presentations. It is not intended that students use elaborate costumes. Note: no live flame on stage is permitted.

CATEGORIES FOR SOLO CLASSES

Prose

: In prose the speaker is the narrator. The focus should be on the voice. Vocal characterization is encouraged but the quality of prose must be maintained. The selection should include narration, description and dialogue. It should be spoken in the story-telling style, but should not be performed as a dramatic scene, i.e. there is to be no acting. Competitors may stand or be seated.

Drama Solo: In drama the speaker is the character. The selection should be taken from a published play written for two or more characters, intended to be presented on the stage by an actor assuming language, movement and dress of the character portrayed. The selection should be the words of one character only with words of other characters omitted. Shakespeare selections must be taken from his plays rather than his non-dramatic poetry. Stand alone monologues (not from longer plays) are unacceptable as drama.

Drama Duo or Trio: In drama the speaker is the character. The selection should be taken from a published play written for two or three characters, intended to be presented on the stage by an actor assuming language, movement and dress of the character portrayed. Shakespeare selections must be taken from his plays rather than his non-dramatic poetry.

Poetry: In poetry the language is molded into some kind of design; in prose it is not. Speakers may choose to perform either lyric or narrative/dramatic poetry.

Lyric Poetry:

a short unified poem expressing the poet's own experience and emotion to be presented in a relaxed stance with no movement. The speaker interprets but should not identify himself/herself with it. (e.g. Solitude by Bliss Carman: To Autumn by Keats; Sonnets of Shakespeare and Wordsworth.)

Narrative: a poem which tells a story and usually has dialogue: the telling of a story is the primary concern of the speaker (e.g. Hiding by Dorothy Aldis; The King's Breakfast by A. A. Milne; The Raven by E. A. Poe; The Cattle Thief by Pauline Johnson).  A portion of a longer poem may be chosen rather than the complete work. A dramatic poem portrays a character distinct from the poet.  Gestures may be included to enhance the telling of the story.  

Public Speaking: a structured speech , delivered in a deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners.                                                                                                                  

Impromtu Public Speaking: Entrants are required to speak for 2 or 3 minutes on a subject supplied by the Adjudicator. All aspects of delivery will be judged. Ten minutes preparation time will be allowed.

Storytelling: Time Limit, 4 min Jr. / 6 min Inter., Sr. & Adults - This may be an original or the retelling of a known story. Stories must be told, not read, and should sound spontaneous rather than memorized. The storyteller should differentiate between characters and have eye contact with the audience.

Creative Storytelling: Time Limit, 3 minutes – ALL - The Adjudicator presents a picture to the competitor who then creates a story pertaining to it. There will be 5 minutes to prepare. All stories should have a beginning, middle and an end, with characters, setting and a plot. Presentation should follow storytelling format.

Bible Reading: Time Limit, 3 minutes – ALL – A passage read from the Bible. The King James Authorized version is preferred for its majesty of language.

Shakespeare: This is a scene for two or more from any of Shakespeare’s plays to be performed as if from the play in its entirety. Simple costumes and props may be used.

Sight Reading: Time Limit: 2 minutes. Read at sight a prose passage selected by the Adjudicator. Competitors will be judged on vocal delivery.

GROUP CLASSES

Choral Speaking - One or two pieces not to exceed 10 minutes.  This is a group interpretation of poetry, verse or prose consisting of two contrasting selections. The group works with a text, orchestrating with the human voice as instrument, using solo and massed voices of different colour and quality, creating vocal sound-effects with dynamic effect.  Some solo and small group voices may be included. There may be actions or gestures performed by the chorus, but no movement from place to place once the piece has begun. A leader may conduct the performance but may not participate verbally.

Shakespeare - This is a scene for two or more from any of Shakespeare’s plays to be performed as if from the play in its entirety. Simple costumes and props may be used.

 
Dramatic Scene - A group scene taken from a published play using four to seven actors.  Limited use of costumes and props. Duos and Trios are in the solo entries. 

Categories will be sorted into the following age groupings:

JUNIOR A ages 10 and under

JUNIOR B ages 14 & under
INTERMEDIATE ages 15-18
SENIOR age 19 and over

 
Age must be on entry form.

ENTRY FEES:

Solo Classes All Ages:  $16.00
Duos, All Ages: $9.00 per person
Groups, All Ages:  $35.00
Sight Reading: $5.00

NON-COMPETITIVE SPEECH ARTS CATEGORIES

Non-competitive performances will receive an adjudication only. Age groups are Junior, 14 years and under, Intermediate, 15 - 18 years and Senior, 19 years and over. Categories as above.

Revised: January 2010