SPEECH ARTS & DRAMA
Refer to the General Rules and Information section at the front of this syllabus for more information.
PROCEDURE
By choosing selections in the Provincial categories, participants will be better prepared, should they be recommended to compete at the Provincial level.
Performers should be on site at least 15 minutes before the class starts.
A warm-up room is generally not provided. Please do not make use of any room at the venue without consulting the on-site Festival representative.
Only one selection is to be performed from each category.
Clip the registration slips to the pages of the selections to be performed and place them at the Adjudicator’s table as you go to the front. Please pick up material from the Adjudicator’s Secretary after adjudication.
SPEECH ARTS & DRAMA CATEGORIES
Select entries from the following list:
Canadian Poetry
A poem written by a Canadian poet. Either lyric or narrative may be chosen. (For
presentation style, refer to category description).
Time limit…l3 yrs & under (3 min)…..16 yrs & under (4 min)…..17 yrs & over (5 min)
Humorous Poem
Any form of verse.
Time limit ...13 yrs & under (3 min)…..16 yrs & under(4 min)…..17 yrs & over (5 min)
Lyric Poem
A short, unified poem expressing the poet’s own experience and emotion 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.
Time limit…..13 yrs & under (3 min)…..16 yrs & under (4 min)….17 yrs & over (5 min)
Narrative Poem
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 by Pauline Johnson.
Time limit…..13 yrs & under (3 min)…16 yrs & under (4 min)…17 yrs & over (5 min)
Original Poem (OPEN TO ALL AGE GROUPS)
The selection to be written and performed by the participant.
Sonnet (Solo) – Junior
A lyric poem of fourteen lines treating only one leading idea, thought or feeling.
Sonnet (Sequence) – Intermediate/Senior
Two sonnets joined together by a work or theme that is common to both.
DuO Poetry
A poem recited by two people. Poems that are conversations, dialogues or have two
distinct moods work well.
Time limit…..13 yrs & under (3 min)….16 yrs & under (4 min)….17 yrs & over (5 min)
Prose
A selection or excerpt taken from a novel, short story or essay: e.g. Treasure Island, Lord
of the Flies, essays by William Hazlitt, Charles Lamb, George Orwell, short stories by
Stephen Leacock, Katherine Mansfield. 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 storytelling
style, but should not be performed as a dramatic scene, i.e. there is to be no acting.
Participants may stand or be seated.
Time limit…..13 yrs & under (3 min)…..16 & under (4 min)….17 yrs & over (5 min)
Solo Drama
An excerpt from a published play intended to be presented on stage by an actor assuming
language, movement and dress of original character. The scene should be stated. Selections from published anthologies of individual monologues are acceptable if they portray a character and not a narrator.
For examples, refer to:
Scenes for Young Actors C. Perry, Encore Performances, Publisher
Scenes for Young Actors L. Cohen, Avon Publisher
Great Monologues for Young Actors vol. I & II Craig, Slaight, Smith & Krauss Inc., Publisher.
Stand-alone monologues (not from longer plays) are unacceptable at the Provincial level.
DUO DRAMA
A scene for two players from any play. May be adapted from a story. Scenes should be
staged as though taken from the complete performance. Simple costumes and props may
be used.
GROUP DRAMA
3 to 7 actors – An excerpt from a published play or a dramatization of a story. Simple
costumes or props may be used.
Time limit.(Solo/Duo/Group…..14 yrs & under (5 min)…..15yrs & over (8 min)
SOLO SHAKESPEARE
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. Limited use of costumes and props.
Time limit………14 yrs. & under (4 min)…………15 years and over (6 min)
DUO SHAKESPEARE
A scene for two from any of Shakespeare’s plays. To be performed as if from the play in
its entirety. Limited use of costumes and props.
Time limit……..14 yrs & under (5 min)…..15 yrs & over (8 min)
MIME – DUO MIME – GROUP MIME
A performance of a brief story without words. The title may be announced out loud or
displayed on a card before the performance begins. Music background is permitted. A
chair or a single prop may be used.
Time limit…………..14 yrs & under (3 min)…………..15 yrs & over (4 min)
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Must be the participant’s original prepared speech. Selections need not be memorized.
Note cards may be used. Participants will be judged on details such as research,
organization and presentation.
Time limit………….14 yrs & under (3 min)…………..15 yrs & over (4 min)
IMPROMPTU PUBLIC SPEAKING
Participants speak on a subject assigned by the Adjudicator, (10 min. preparation time).
Time limit…………..14 yrs & under (3 min)………….15 yrs & over (4 min)
STORYTELLING
May be an original story or the retelling of a known story, using good storytelling sounds.
It should appear spontaneous rather than memorized. The storyteller should differentiate between characters and should have eye contact with the audience.
Time limit …..13 yrs & under (3 min)….16 yrs & under (4 min)…17 yrs & over (5 min)
CREATIVE STORYTELLING
Five minutes prior to the class, the Adjudicator will show the participants an illustration.
Participants are expected to create a story based on the picture.
Time limit…….(all ages)…….3 minutes
SIGHT READING
Participants read a passage selected by the Adjudicator.
Time limit………..14 yrs & under (2 min)………….15 yrs & over (3 min)
BIBLE READING
Participants read a selection from the King James Bible (either Old or New Testament).
Eye contact with the audience is required.
Time limit……..(all ages)……3 minutes
REGISTRATION FEES
11 and under $15.00
12 to14 $17.00
15 to17 $19.00
18 and over $21.00
Open 29 and over $21.00
Duo $21.00
Small Groups (3 to 6 performers) $10.00/person
Schools/Large Groups $50.00