Performing Arts Guidelines

Dance

Requirements:

1. The solo performance must not exceed five (5) minutes. (Contestants not adhering to the maximum time requirement are subject to point deduction and/or disqualification.)

2. Costumes are optional, but should be appropriate to the choreography performed.

3. Musical accompaniment must be provided by the contestant on a standard cassette or CD player clearly marked with the student’s name and branch. The cassette/CD must contain only the music for the performance. It is recommended that the contestant provide a backup tape.

4. The theme and the dance form (ballet, modern, jazz, ethnic, etc.) of the performance must be identified to the judges prior to the presentation.

5. Aerobic exercises, street dancing, cheerleading and drill team routines may not be used.

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

• Technical Proficiency/Skill (25 pts)

1. alignment

2. strength

3. endurance

4. flexibility

5. coordination

• Clarity and Consistency in Style (25 pts)

• Phrasing/Dynamics/Musicality (25 pts)

• Clarity of Intent/Interpretation of Choreography (25 pts)

Dramatics

Requirements:

1. The performance must be a minimum of three (3) minutes and maximum of five (5) minutes. (Contestants not adhering to the minimum and maximum time requirements are subject to point deduction and/or disqualification.)

2. The selection must be of literate quality.

3. The material must be memorized.

4. Costumes, makeup, and props are optional, but not required.

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

• Projection (10 pts)

• Structure (10pts): Does the performance have transitions/beats and a clear beginning, middle, climax, and end?

• Memorization (10 pts)

• Movement (10 pts) : Is the blocking clear and does the actor commit to and follow through with his/her movements and gestures?

• Emotional Connection and Honesty (10pts): Are you really "selling" that you are becoming this character or are you simply "play-acting" ?

• Imagination and Creativity (15pts) : Are you bringing something different to the piece or are you just reciting lines?

• Stage Presence (10pts)

• Character Work (10pts)

• Specificity of Acting Choices (10pts): Clear pursuit of Actions/Objectives

• Creation of the Space (5pts)

Oratory

Requirements:

1. Only one (1) speech is to be presented, and it must not exceed five (5) minutes.

2. The selection of the speech is the decision of the contestant; it should either be an original (written by the contestant) or an excerpt from a speech written by a famous individual or historical figure.

3. The speech is not to be presented as a dramatic presentation.

4. Costumes and props are not permitted.

5. The material must be completely memorized.

6. Contestants are encouraged to prepare and deliver original selections. However, if the contestant decides to present a selection already published, we recommend that they not limit their selection to speeches delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There are many great speeches by famous people, such as Frederick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, Malcolm X, etc.

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

• Delivery (25 pts)

Voice, Diction, Pronunciation, Enunciation, Gestures, Emphasis

• Interpretation (25 pts)

Content, Subject Adherence, Theme, Logic and Color

• Platform Presence (25 pts)

Poise, Appeal, Impression, Attitude and Effect

• Projection (25 pts)

Voice, Emphasis, Tone, Pitch, & Volume

Music Instrumental

Classical

Requirements:

1. The musical selection must be one specifically written for solo performances. The performance may be an excerpt and may not exceed five (5) minutes. (Contestants not adhering to the maximum time requirements are subject to disqualification.)

2. Contestants must bring six (6) copies of the sheet music to present to the judges at the time of competition.

3. If the selection chosen is written with piano accompaniment, it must be performed in that manner.

4. The composition to be performed must be consistent with the nature of the instrument and the level of musical proficiency of the performer.

5. The selection of music and instrument is solely the decision of the contestant.

6. The only instrument provided for the performances will be a piano.

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

• Interpretation, Expression, Tempo, Phrasing, and Historically appropriate style (20 pts)

• Intonation and touch (piano) (20 pts)

• Stage presence, choice of music (20 pts)

• Technique, articulation, Breathing, Rhythm, Facility and Accuracy (20 pts)

• Tone quality, Beauty, Control, Characteristic timbre (20 pts)

Music Intrumental

Contemporary

Music Vocal

Classical

Requirements:

1. The musical selection must be one specifically written for solo performances and may not exceed five (5) minutes. (Contestants not adhering to the maximum time requirement are subject to disqualification.)

2. The selection performed should feature a solo performance. If other players are needed (as in a jazz selection), they must be provided by the contestant.

3. The only instrument provided for performance will be a piano. Any additional instruments or equipment needed must be provided by the contestant.

4. The selection of music and instrument is solely the decision of the contestant.

5. Examples of contemporary music are Broadway, Jazz, Gospel, Blues, etc.

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

• Effectiveness of style, Improvisation (20 pts)

• Intonation, Touch (piano) (20 pts)

• Stage presence, Choice of music (20 pts)

• Technique, Articulation, Breathing, Tonality, Rhythm, Facility (20 pts)

• Tone quality, Beauty, Control, Characteristic timbre (20 pts)

Music Vocal

Contemporary

Requirements:

1. Only one (1) song is to be performed, and it must not exceed five (5) minutes. (Contestants not adhering to the maximum time requirement are subject to disqualification.)

2. Musical accompaniment can be provided by the contestant on a standard cassette tape or CD. The cassette tape or CD should contain only the instrumental version of the song. Contestants are encouraged to provide a backup tape.

3. The material must be memorized.

4. Costumes are not permitted.

5. Microphones are permitted and will be provided.

6. Examples of contemporary music are Broadway, Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Blues, Soul and Country and Western.

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

• Choice of Music (15 pts):

Matched to vocal ability

• Interpretation (20 pts):

Expression, Phrasing, Style, Tempo, & Arrangement

• Stage presence (15 pts):

Comfort on and control of stage, Posture, & Rapport with audience

• Technique (25 pts):

Breathing, Posture, Rhythm, & Accuracy

• Tone quality (25 pts):

Beauty of sound, Control, Intonation and Diction

Requirements:

1. Only one (1) song is to be performed, and it must not exceed five (5) minutes. (Contestants not adhering to the maximum time requirement are subject to disqualification.)

2. Musical accompaniment can be provided by the contestant on a standard cassette tape. The cassette/CD tape should contain only the instrumental version of the song. Contestants are encouraged to provide a backup tape.

3. Contestants must present six copies of the sheet music to the judges at the time of competition.

4. The material must be memorized.

5.. Costumes are not required.

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

• Choice of Music (10 pts)

• Diction (25 pts)

Correctness of pronunciation

• Interpretation (10 pts)

Expression, Phrasing, Historically appropriate style, & Tempo

• Intonation (10 pts)

• Stage presence (10 pts)

• Technique (10 pts)

Breathing, Posture, Rhythm, & Accuracy

• Tone quality (25 pts)

Beauty of sound & Control