Requirements –Dance: Traditional:

To perform a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music to reflect the life of the people of a certain region or country.

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. The theme and the dance form (African, Cuban, Afro-Latin, etc.) of the performance must be identified to the judges prior to the presentation.

Contestants will be judged by the following criteria:

• Technical Proficiency/Skill (25)
Alignment, strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination

• Clarity and Consistency in Style (25)

• Phrasing/Dynamics/Musicality (25)

• Clarity of Intent/Interpretation of Choreography (25)

Requirements – Dance: Ballet:

To perform a series of rhythmic and highly technical patterned bodily movements usually performed to music using grace and precision.

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. The theme and/or type of the performance must be identified to the judges prior to the presentation. Types include: Classical Ballet, Contemporary Ballet, Neo-classical Ballet, or Story Ballet.
4. The piece must be performed in ballet slippers/flats, or pointe/demi pointe shoes. Bare feet are only acceptable for Contemporary Ballet.

Contestants will be judged by the following criteria:

• Technical Proficiency/Skill (25)
Alignment, strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination

• Clarity and Consistency in Style (25)

• Phrasing/Dynamics/Musicality (25)

• Clarity of Intent/Interpretation of Choreography (25)

Requirements – Dance: Contemporary

To perform a series of rhythmic and technical patterned bodily movements usually performed to music.
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. The theme and the dance form of the performance must be identified to the judges prior to the presentation. Dance forms include: Broadway/Musical Theater, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, and Tap.
4. Aerobic exercises, miming, cheerleading and drill team routines may not be used.

Contestants will be judged by the following criteria:

• Technical Proficiency/Skill (25)
Alignment, strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination

• Clarity and Consistency in Style (25)

• Phrasing/Dynamics/Musicality (25)

• Clarity of Intent/Interpretation of Choreography (25)

Requirements – Dance: Modern:

To perform a series of rhythmic and patterned bodily movements usually performed to music that focuses on the dancer’s interpretations using their emotions and moods to develop choreography.

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. The theme of the performance must be identified to the judges prior to the presentation.
4. Each performance must derive from Dunham, Graham, Horton, Humphrey, Limon, or other modern techniques.

Contestants will be judged by the following criteria:

• Technical Proficiency/Skill (25)
Alignment, strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination

• Clarity and Consistency in Style (25)

• Phrasing/Dynamics/Musicality (25)

• Clarity of Intent/Interpretation of Choreography (25)

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.

Note: The deadline for submission of National registration documents is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will be accepted at the National Competition.

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 followthrough with his/her movements and gestures?

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

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

Stage Presence (10 pts)

Character Work (10 pts)

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

Creation of the Space (5 pts)

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. Contestants requesting accompaniment must submit sheet music with their registration packet.

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.

Note: The deadline for submission of National registration documents is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will be accepted at the National Competition.

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)

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.

Note: The deadline for submission of National registration documents is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will be accepted at the National Competition..

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)

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 requesting accompaniment must submit sheet music with their registration packet.

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

5. The material must be memorized.

6. Costumes are not required.

Note: The deadline for submission of National registration documents is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will be accepted at the National Competition.

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

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. Piano accompaniment is available only if the contestant has provided and brings his/her own sheet music.

4. The material must be memorized.

5. Costumes are not permitted.

6. Microphones are permitted and will be provided.

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

Note: The deadline for submission of National registration documents is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will be accepted at the National Competition.

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.

Note: The deadline for submission of National registration documents is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will be accepted at the National Competition.

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Submit six (6) notarized copies of the original poem.

2. The top of each page must include the contestant’s name, page number and unit name and number.

3. Poems should be typed, using 12 point Times New Roman, Verdana, Georgia, or Comic Sans. Please no other fancy typefaces or graphics. Poems should retain original form that they were created in and do not have to be double-spaced. Individual poems may be free verse or rhymed metrical poetry containing stanzas. Poems should not exceed 3 pages.

4. The contestants must perform their work before a panel of judges. The performance must not exceed three (3) minutes. (Contestants not adhering to the maximum time requirement are subject to point deduction and/or disqualification.)

Contestants will be judged by the following criteria:

Emotional/Physical Presence (20)- Is the poet emotionally connected to the topic they are presenting? Is the poet demonstrating eye contact, body language and poise?

Original Thought (20) – Has the poet tackled an interesting subject or created something new with their work, or are they simply parroting belief systems or ideas that they have heard from someone else.

Voice and Articulation (20) – Does the poet exhibit appropriate volume, pace, rhythm, intonation and proper pronunciation?

Structure or Form, and Overall Presentation (20) – How is the poem constructed? Are there appropriate line and stanza breaks? Does the poem have a strong title? Does the poem contain appropriate grammar and punctuation?

Evidence of Understanding/Accuracy (20) – Does the poet comprehend the material they’re presenting and makes the audience understand? Does the poet miss written words or mispronounce words during their recitation?