 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
New Jersey Drama and Forensics League
| Categories & Rules of Competition |
DRAMATIC PAIRS: Each dramatic pair will present a cutting of a scene (or scenes)
from any published play classified as a drama (no screenplays or television scripts).
The scene need not be a complete scene or act, but should function as a meaningful
unit of drama. The cutting presented must involve two characters. The actors may
use props, costumes, make-up, and background music (live or recorded). The scene,
with an appropriate introduction, must be at least five minutes and not exceed ten
minutes, including set-up and strike time. Judges will announce when they start the
clock. No scripts or prompters are to be used. All contests are held in regular
classrooms or meeting rooms. A contestant may enter only one (1) dramatic pair.
COMEDIC PAIRS: Each comedic pair will present a cutting of a scene (or scenes)
from any published play classified as a comedy (no screenplays or television scripts).
The scene need not be a complete scene or act, but should function as a meaningful
unit of drama. The cutting presented must involve two characters. The actors may
use props, costumes, make-up, and background music (live or recorded). The scene,
with an appropriate introduction, must be at least five minutes and not exceed ten
minutes, including set-up and strike time. Judges will announce when they start the
clock. No scripts or prompters are to be used. All contests are held in regular
classrooms or meeting rooms. A contestant may enter only one (1) comedic pair.
DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE: Each contestant will present a cutting of a scene (or
scenes) from any published play or monologue book classified as a drama or tragedy
(no screenplays or television scripts). The scene need not be a complete scene or
act, but should function as a meaningful unit of drama. The cutting presented must
involve one character. The contestant may use props, costumes, make-up, and
background music (live or recorded). The scene, with an appropriate introduction,
must be at least 2 minutes and not exceed 6 minutes, including set-up and strike time.
No scripts or prompters are to be used. All contests are held in regular classrooms or
meeting rooms.
COMEDY MONOLOGUE: Each contestant will present a cutting of a scene (or
scenes) from any published play or monologue book classified as a comedy (no
screenplays or television scripts). The scene need not be a complete scene or act,
but should function as a meaningful unit of drama. The cutting presented must
involve one character. The contestant may use props, costumes, make-up, and
background music (live or recorded). The scene, with an appropriate introduction,
must be at least 2 minutes and not exceed 6 minutes, including set-up and strike time.
No scripts or prompters are to be used. All contests are held in regular classrooms or
meeting rooms.
MUSICAL THEATRE PAIRS: The performers must present one selection drawn from
published musicals written for the theatre. No original works, medleys, or screenplays
will be allowed. The selection may contain dialogue, but must be at least 50%
singing. Both participants must be actively involved in the piece. The performers may
use props, costumes, and make-up. Performers may use non-vocal musical
accompaniment, which can be live or electronically produced. Students using tape or
CD must bring their own equipment and be able to operate it themselves or provide an
operator. Criteria for evaluating shall include characterization and interpretation of
roles, staging, delivery, interaction, communication, and balance. There is no
minimum time but category is six minutes maximum with an appropriate introduction
including setup and strike. No scripts or prompters are to be used. All contests are
held in regular classrooms or meeting rooms.
IMPROMPTU SPEAKING: Each contestant shall draw a random quote or topic from
the judge’s envelope and will present a speech based on that quote or topic.
Contestant may use a note card, but should not have a manuscript or prepared notes
of any kind. Total event time will be seven minutes including an appropriate
introduction and preparation time.
PERSUASIVE SPEAKING: Each contestant will present an original speech to
persuade, convince, stimulate, or activate the audience about a certain topic or idea.
The speech should be memorized but may be presented from note cards or a
manuscript. Visual aids are not allowed. Time limit, with an appropriate introduction,
is a minimum of 3 minutes with a maximum of 7 minutes. This is NOT an acting
category.
IMPROVISATIONAL PAIRS: Each improvisational pair will present a scene created
from a situation card to be selected from the judge's envelope. The preparation and
presentation of the improvised scene, with an appropriate introduction, must not
exceed seven minutes. No notes, scripts, or props are to be used (student
chairs/desks in classroom are permitted). All contests are held in regular classrooms
or meeting rooms. Situations are selected as a blind draw – no choices will be given.
DECLAMATION: Each contestant will deliver an oral interpretation of any famous
speech. Students will pick their own speech between 4-6 minutes long (600-750
words). This is not an acting category, as the student is not being judged on
imitation. The speech may be cut to adhere to time limit. As a forensic interpretation
event, all contestants must stay within a three foot circle from original speaking
location and should not sit, kneel, etc. The use of a manuscript is required. Time limit
with an appropriate introduction is a minimum of 4 minutes with a maximum of 6
minutes.
READER’S THEATRE: Each group will present a cutting of a reader’s theatre piece,
novel, or short story from any published venue. The piece need not be a complete
scene or act, but should function as a meaningful narrative. The cutting presented
must involve three to six actors. All actors must have lines and may play more than
one character. The actors may use props for sound effects only and background
music/sounds (must be live). The scene, with an appropriate introduction, must not
exceed ten minutes, including set-up and strike time. Scripts must be used. All group
members must be sitting or standing in place as consistent with reader’s theatre
rules. All contests are held in regular classrooms or meeting rooms. A contestant
may enter only one (1) group. (Please list actors’ names when completing the
registration from.)
POETRY INTERPRETATION: Each contestant will orally present a selection of poetry
from a published work or online source (a complete poem, a segment of a whole
poem or several poems based on the same theme or poet). Contestants may not
read their own poetry. Contestants must have a manuscript and must use an
introduction and relevant transitions. As a forensic interpretation event, all
contestants must stay within a three foot circle from original speaking location and
should not sit kneel, etc. Time limit is a minimum of 3 minutes with a maximum of 7
minutes, including introduction. This is NOT an acting category.
PROSE INTERPRETATION: Each contestant will deliver an oral interpretation of a
program of published prose, with appropriate introductory and transitional material.
As a forensic interpretation event, all contestants must stay within a three foot circle
from original speaking location and should not sit, kneel, etc. Time limit is seven
minutes with a minimum of 3 minutes. Selections may be single or multiple. The use
of manuscript is required. This is NOT an acting category.
from any published play classified as a drama (no screenplays or television scripts).
The scene need not be a complete scene or act, but should function as a meaningful
unit of drama. The cutting presented must involve two characters. The actors may
use props, costumes, make-up, and background music (live or recorded). The scene,
with an appropriate introduction, must be at least five minutes and not exceed ten
minutes, including set-up and strike time. Judges will announce when they start the
clock. No scripts or prompters are to be used. All contests are held in regular
classrooms or meeting rooms. A contestant may enter only one (1) dramatic pair.
COMEDIC PAIRS: Each comedic pair will present a cutting of a scene (or scenes)
from any published play classified as a comedy (no screenplays or television scripts).
The scene need not be a complete scene or act, but should function as a meaningful
unit of drama. The cutting presented must involve two characters. The actors may
use props, costumes, make-up, and background music (live or recorded). The scene,
with an appropriate introduction, must be at least five minutes and not exceed ten
minutes, including set-up and strike time. Judges will announce when they start the
clock. No scripts or prompters are to be used. All contests are held in regular
classrooms or meeting rooms. A contestant may enter only one (1) comedic pair.
DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE: Each contestant will present a cutting of a scene (or
scenes) from any published play or monologue book classified as a drama or tragedy
(no screenplays or television scripts). The scene need not be a complete scene or
act, but should function as a meaningful unit of drama. The cutting presented must
involve one character. The contestant may use props, costumes, make-up, and
background music (live or recorded). The scene, with an appropriate introduction,
must be at least 2 minutes and not exceed 6 minutes, including set-up and strike time.
No scripts or prompters are to be used. All contests are held in regular classrooms or
meeting rooms.
COMEDY MONOLOGUE: Each contestant will present a cutting of a scene (or
scenes) from any published play or monologue book classified as a comedy (no
screenplays or television scripts). The scene need not be a complete scene or act,
but should function as a meaningful unit of drama. The cutting presented must
involve one character. The contestant may use props, costumes, make-up, and
background music (live or recorded). The scene, with an appropriate introduction,
must be at least 2 minutes and not exceed 6 minutes, including set-up and strike time.
No scripts or prompters are to be used. All contests are held in regular classrooms or
meeting rooms.
MUSICAL THEATRE PAIRS: The performers must present one selection drawn from
published musicals written for the theatre. No original works, medleys, or screenplays
will be allowed. The selection may contain dialogue, but must be at least 50%
singing. Both participants must be actively involved in the piece. The performers may
use props, costumes, and make-up. Performers may use non-vocal musical
accompaniment, which can be live or electronically produced. Students using tape or
CD must bring their own equipment and be able to operate it themselves or provide an
operator. Criteria for evaluating shall include characterization and interpretation of
roles, staging, delivery, interaction, communication, and balance. There is no
minimum time but category is six minutes maximum with an appropriate introduction
including setup and strike. No scripts or prompters are to be used. All contests are
held in regular classrooms or meeting rooms.
IMPROMPTU SPEAKING: Each contestant shall draw a random quote or topic from
the judge’s envelope and will present a speech based on that quote or topic.
Contestant may use a note card, but should not have a manuscript or prepared notes
of any kind. Total event time will be seven minutes including an appropriate
introduction and preparation time.
PERSUASIVE SPEAKING: Each contestant will present an original speech to
persuade, convince, stimulate, or activate the audience about a certain topic or idea.
The speech should be memorized but may be presented from note cards or a
manuscript. Visual aids are not allowed. Time limit, with an appropriate introduction,
is a minimum of 3 minutes with a maximum of 7 minutes. This is NOT an acting
category.
IMPROVISATIONAL PAIRS: Each improvisational pair will present a scene created
from a situation card to be selected from the judge's envelope. The preparation and
presentation of the improvised scene, with an appropriate introduction, must not
exceed seven minutes. No notes, scripts, or props are to be used (student
chairs/desks in classroom are permitted). All contests are held in regular classrooms
or meeting rooms. Situations are selected as a blind draw – no choices will be given.
DECLAMATION: Each contestant will deliver an oral interpretation of any famous
speech. Students will pick their own speech between 4-6 minutes long (600-750
words). This is not an acting category, as the student is not being judged on
imitation. The speech may be cut to adhere to time limit. As a forensic interpretation
event, all contestants must stay within a three foot circle from original speaking
location and should not sit, kneel, etc. The use of a manuscript is required. Time limit
with an appropriate introduction is a minimum of 4 minutes with a maximum of 6
minutes.
READER’S THEATRE: Each group will present a cutting of a reader’s theatre piece,
novel, or short story from any published venue. The piece need not be a complete
scene or act, but should function as a meaningful narrative. The cutting presented
must involve three to six actors. All actors must have lines and may play more than
one character. The actors may use props for sound effects only and background
music/sounds (must be live). The scene, with an appropriate introduction, must not
exceed ten minutes, including set-up and strike time. Scripts must be used. All group
members must be sitting or standing in place as consistent with reader’s theatre
rules. All contests are held in regular classrooms or meeting rooms. A contestant
may enter only one (1) group. (Please list actors’ names when completing the
registration from.)
POETRY INTERPRETATION: Each contestant will orally present a selection of poetry
from a published work or online source (a complete poem, a segment of a whole
poem or several poems based on the same theme or poet). Contestants may not
read their own poetry. Contestants must have a manuscript and must use an
introduction and relevant transitions. As a forensic interpretation event, all
contestants must stay within a three foot circle from original speaking location and
should not sit kneel, etc. Time limit is a minimum of 3 minutes with a maximum of 7
minutes, including introduction. This is NOT an acting category.
PROSE INTERPRETATION: Each contestant will deliver an oral interpretation of a
program of published prose, with appropriate introductory and transitional material.
As a forensic interpretation event, all contestants must stay within a three foot circle
from original speaking location and should not sit, kneel, etc. Time limit is seven
minutes with a minimum of 3 minutes. Selections may be single or multiple. The use
of manuscript is required. This is NOT an acting category.