PHS Speech & Drama Team The Prairie High School Speech & Drama Team runs from September to April. The team participates in the Iowa High School Speech Association contests- Large Group during the fall and Individual during the spring. Both contests have district, state, and all-state levels. By receiving a Division I rating from a judge in their event, the contestants are eligible to compete at the next level. All-state nominations require a Division I rating and judge nomination.
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Speech & Drama Team Season Celebration BanquetThe 2019 Speech and Drama Banquet
Monday, May 20th Location: High School Cafeteria Time: 5:30-7:00 p.m. Who: Anyone who participated in the speech and drama program this school year and their families What: Potluck dinner, awards, social Seniors: Bring a dessert Juniors: Bring a beverage Sophomores: Bring a side dish Freshman: Bring a meat dish or casserole |
Large Group Speech Events
Short FilmShort Film is a presentation of a recorded visual performance. Judging is based on creative storyline, acting/performance, and technical skills.
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Musical Theatre Musical Theatre is a theatrical performance where individuals utilize music in the form of song and/or dance. Judging is based on characterization, effective vocal/music delivery, physical delivery, and total ensemble effect.
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Group ImprovisationGroup Improvisation is creating and presenting a story motivated by drawn criteria within a limited preparation time. Ensemble playing and spontaneity are essential for a successful Group Improvisation. Judging is based on storyline, environment, creativity, ensemble playing, and technical presentation.
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Radio BroadcastingRadio Broadcasting is an audio recorded news program. The news team will be judged on voice quality, style, flow of content, clarity, organization, and unity of the news team's performance.
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Solo/Group MimePantomime is the art of expressing a message or creating a story without the use of words. A major consideration of this category should be originality of the message/story. Judging is based on performance energy, facial expression, convincing illusions, use of space, precise bodily movement, character development, creativity, interaction with environment & others, consistent style, and storyline.
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TV NewscastingTV Newscasting is a video-recorded news program. Effective transitions and organization are essential for a successful news program. Judging is based on broadcast/content, vocal and visual delivery, creative commercials, and technical elements.
Choral ReadingChoral Reading involves group interpretation of a text using a variety of solo and ensemble speaking. Successful Choral Reading depends on effective oral interpretation. Judging is based on interpretation and effective physical/vocal delivery.
One-Act PlayOne-Act Play is a theatrical performance of a play or play-cutting. The time limit is 30 minutes. A successful One-Act Play depends on blending effective staging and acting.
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Ensemble ActingEnsemble Acting is a theatrical performance by 2 to 6 people. Judging is based on characterization, vocal and physical delivery, and ensemble effect.
Reader's TheatreReader's Theatre focuses on the interpretation of poetry, prose, and/or drama. Reader's Theatre does not allow the use of the costumes, make-up, set, or props. Judging is based on interpretation, characterization, vocal delivery, and physical delivery.
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Individual Speech Events
Solo Musical Theatre
Solo Musical Theatre is a theatrical performance where the individual utilizes music in the form of song and acting. Judging is based on effective acting & singing. A large part of solo musical theatre is characterization and energy, energy, energy!
Original Oratory
Original Oratory is written by the speaker. The speech must be inspirational or persuasive, as opposed to solely informative. This category encourages research, logical thinking, and effective public speaking techniques. Content and delivery are considered equally important. The subject chosen for the Original Oratory should be contemporary, as having real-life impact.
Improvisation
Improvisation is the art of creating and presenting a story using a situation and two separate characters. Evidence of the student's creativity is essential to this category. As always, there is a limited "prepare" time and limited performance time.
Expository Address
Expository Address is an original informative speech that may be enhanced with the use of audio or visual aids. However, the content should be able to stand alone without such aids. Emphasis is placed on organizational skills, language choice, and delivery techniques.
Radio News Announcing
Radio News Announcing is the art of presenting a four to five minute news program after selecting and organizing news copy within a limited preparation time. The newscast should reflect the student's ability to select newsworthy items from the copy provided. Each news piece should have smooth flow and emphasis.
Storytelling
Storytelling is the art of sharing an original or published narrative with a listener. At the completion of a successful storytelling, the audience should remember the story more than the performance. The storyteller must radiate with the enjoyment of sharing his/her story. This category heavily depends on interpretation of the narrative and appropriate characterization.
Review
Reviewing is an informative speech in which the presenter shares his/her viewpoint of a chosen piece of literature, movie, drama work, concert, movie made for television, music selection, or any other form of media. Judge's evaluation is based on insights into plot, characterization, style, theme, editing, acting, historical importance, and comparison with other works in the genre.
After Dinner Speaking
After Dinner Speaking is am effective, entertaining speech with a theme that adheres to a stimulated "formal dinner" environment. Limited notes may be used. The speech may be informative, inspiring, impressive, or entertaining.
Acting
Acting is a memorized presentation of a scene with a primarily serious or humorous tone. Students are to develop believable characterizations; the focus is not on how many characters the actor portrays, but how well he/she portrays them.
Spontaneous Speaking
Spontaneous Speaking involves a speech given on a particular "worldwide issue" prepared in a limited time frame. It requires students to demonstrate knowledge in the selected topic area by taking a position. The student should do their best to develop a structure and provide details on their selected topic.
Literary Program
Literary Program combines both selections of prose and poetry, which have a common theme. The prose and poetry pieces should balance each other out; the contestant must also convey the tone, intent, and style of the prose/poetry combination. You can read more about poetry and prose as individual events below.
Poetry
Poetry is the oral interpretation of a selection of poetic material chosen by the contestant. The student's presentation should convey the tone, intent, and style of the material. Poetry combines effective vocal techniques, facial expressions, and bodily reactions, but does not need to be memorized.
Prose
Prose is the oral interpretation of a selection of prose material chosen by the contestant. It is judged by the same standards as Poetry.
Public Address
Public Address is a presentation of another author's material. It encourages effective public speaking techniques; the material should be able to stand the test of time (be applicable to today). Public address
Contact Us
To learn more about Prairie High School's Speech & Drama Team, please contact our Speech Team Director:
Lori Ling - [email protected]
Lori Ling - [email protected]