Original Spoken Word Poetry

Students will present an original, prepared poem without the use of props or costumes. Students must perform their poem from memory. Although students may "sample" a phrase or line from another poet's work, the poem should primarily consist of the student's own writing. No more than 150 words of the original poetry may be direct quotation from any other speech or writing. A copy of the poem must be available upon request; no freestyling. The time limit for Original Spoken Word Poetry is 5 minutes with 30 seconds grace.

Duo Interpretation

Two competitors team up to deliver a ten-minute performance of a published play or story. Using off-stage focus, competitors convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters. No props or costumes are used. The time limit for Duo Interpretation is 10 minutes with 30 seconds grace.

Dramatic Interpretation

Students will present a memorized, dramatic selection from a published source (play, novel, short story, etc.). Non-published movie scenes are not allowed. No costumes, props, or notes are allowed. Movement within the performance area is unrestricted. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author. The time limit for Dramatic Interpretation is 10 minutes with 30 seconds grace.

Readers Theatre

Groups of three to six students will present a selection from a novel, play, or other literary work. The selection must be read from black folders or binders. Minimal props and costumes can be used to suggest characters. Stands and stools can be used, but must be provided by the contestants. No recorded music or sound effects will be allowed. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author. The time limit for Readers Theatre is 12 minutes with 30 seconds grace.

Lip Sync

Individuals or groups (no larger than 6 members) present a lip sync to a song with lyrics. Lip synchronization should match the song vocals. Costumes, hand props, and make-up are allowed. Dangerous choreography is prohibited! All music choices and costumes must be age-appropriate. Songs and choreography that tell a story are recommended. Contestants must provide their own music equipment. The time limit for Vocal Solo is 5 minutes with 30 seconds grace.

Vocal Solo

Individual students sing with or without accompanying music. Costumes, hand props, and make-up are allowed. All music choices and costumes should be age-appropriate. Songs and choreography that tell a story are recommended. The time limit for Vocal Solo is 5 minutes with 30 seconds grace.

Story Telling

Students will present a memorized selection from a published children's story or folk tale. The selection should be appropriate for young children (ages 3 to 8). In accordance with NSDA rules, students may use one chair. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author. The time limit for Storytelling is 5 minutes with 30 seconds grace.

TV Commercial

Students will be given a choice of products, objects, etc., and will have two minutes to prepare a salescommercial for one of them. Good taste will be left to the discretion of the judge. Students will have 2 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes to perform with 30 seconds grace.

Prose - Junior

For Sixth and Seventh Graders Only. Students will present a prose selection from a published source. Students should read/present the selection from a small black binder. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author. Movement below the waist is allowed, but it should be appropriate to the demands of the literature, be a natural outgrowth of the piece, and be limited in scope. The time limit for Prose Interpretation is 7 minutes with 30 seconds grace.

Prose - Senior

For Eighth Graders Only. Students will present a prose selection from a published source. Students should read/present the selection from a small black binder. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author. Movement below the waist is allowed, but it should be appropriate to the demands of the literature, be a natural outgrowth of the piece, and be limited in scope. The time limit for Prose Interpretation is 7 minutes with 30 seconds grace.

Poetry - Senior

Students will present a poetry program from published sources. Students should read/present the program from a small black binder. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author. Movement below the waist is allowed, but it should be appropriate to the demands of the literature, be a natural outgrowth of the piece, and be limited in scope. The time limit for Poetry Interpretation is 7 minutes with 30 seconds grace.

Original Oratory

Students should present an original, prepared speech from memory without using notes. Speech topics should be persuasive in nature. No more than 150 words may be quoted. The oratory must be the original work of the contestant and cannot have been used in competition prior to the current school year. The time limit for Original Oratory is 10 minutes with 30 seconds grace.

Poetry - Junior

For Sixth and Seventh Graders Only. Students will present a poetry program from published sources. Students should read/present the program from a small black binder. Students must have a memorized introduction that includes the title and author. Movement below the waist is allowed, but it should be appropriate to the demands of the literature, be a natural outgrowth of the piece, and be limited in scope. The time limit for Poetry Interpretation is 7 minutes with 30 seconds grace.

Impromptu Speaking

After selecting one topic or quotation from a group of three, students will prepare an impromptu speech. Contestants will be judged on their organization, quality of speech, fluency, movement in the speaking area, etc. Note cards may not be used. Students will have a total of 7 minutes to prepare and perform with 30 seconds grace. This time can be divided as the students see fit.

Informative Speaking

Students should present an original, prepared speech from memory without using notes. Speech topics should be informative in nature. No more than 150 words may be quoted. The informative speech must be the original work of the contestant and cannot have been used in competition prior to the current school year. Non-electronic audio/visual aids may be used to supplement and reinforce the message, but they are not required. The use of live animals or additional people as visual aids is not allowed. Items of dress put on and/or removed for illustration during the course of the presentation are considered costumes and may not be part of the contestant’s presentation. The time limit for Informative Speaking is 10 minutes with 30 seconds grace.

Humorous Interpretation

After selecting one topic or quotation from a group of three, students will prepare an impromptu speech. Contestants will be judged on their organization, quality of speech, fluency, movement in the speaking area, etc. Note cards may not be used. Students will have a total of 7 minutes to prepare and perform with 30 seconds grace. This time can be divided as the students see fit.

Declamation

Students will deliver a published speech from memory. The speech, usually famous or historical, must have been delivered in public. The original speaker's words may not be altered with the exception that cutting is permitted. The presentation should include an introduction with the title and author, as well as relevant information about the situation in which the speech was originally delivered. This event is an exercise in interpretation, so the contestant should avoid trying to reproduce the delivery style of the original speaker. The time limit for Declamation is 10 minutes with 30 seconds grace.

Improvisation - Duet

Teams of two students will draw three topics. After selecting one of these topics, the team will present an improvised, acting performance. An introduction must precede the performance. Failure to maintain good taste will be determined by the judge and may result in disqualification. Teams will have a total of 7 minutes to prepare and perform with 30 seconds grace. This time can be divided as the students see fit.

Improvisation - Solo

Students will draw three topics. After selecting one of these topics, the student will present an improvised, acting performance. An introduction must precede the performance. Failure to maintain good taste will be determined by the judge and may result in disqualification. Students will have a total of 7 minutes to prepare and perform with 30 seconds grace. This time can be divided as the students see fit.

Extemp. Speaking

After selecting one topic from a group of three, students will have thirty minutes to prepare a speech on a domestic or foreign issue. During preparation time, students may access the internet, but they cannot access prepared speeches or outlines. When presenting the speech, one 3x5 note card may be used. The time limit for Extemporaneous Speaking is 7 minutes with 30 seconds grace.