Includes chant, recitation, storytelling, etc.; category does not include performance composed primarily of singing or dance, or as listed under Dramatic Performance. Embellishment of performance may include, as appropriate, instrumental accompaniment (live or recorded, by entrant or other); dance; acrobatics; juggling; animal acts; etc. Original material (by entrant or other) may be used if it is completely authentic in style. Material may be written or extemporaneous; in original language or translation. Entrant must submit 3 typed copies of text or of outline if material is extemporaneous. Time limit: 10 minutes.
DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points) Give one point for each of the following elements that are present:
- time
- place
- title and author
- For non-original material: cite source of text For original material: cite period sources upon which piece is based.
AUTHENTICITY (0-4 points) Give one point for each element present:
- 0: Blatantly modern in material choice or performance style; OR complete misinterpretation of content of material.
- 1: Mixes performance elements and material of variant period or styles.
- 2: Most performance elements are consistent with the selection and period.
- 3: All performance elements are appropriate to the material, performance environment, nationality and time period.
- 4: Special care taken to enhance authenticity, in addition to above (e.g. period instrumental accompaniment, period costumes or props, etc.)
COMPLEXITY (1-5 points) Rank the ambition of the attempt, NOT the workmanship, on a scale of 1 to 5 based on the following:
- vocal elements attempted (see Workmanship)
- physical elements attempted (see Workmanship)
- interpretive elements attempted (see Workmanship)
- scope of endeavor (length, variety of elements, overall complexity)
WORKMANSHIP (1-5 points) Rank the success of the attempt based on the following:
- Vocal elements: variety (tone, pace, pitch and volume); inflection; projection; articulation; use of metrical values, rhyme, sound color; dialect; impersonation/imitation, etc.
- Physical elements: facial expression; gesture, movement, mime, stunts, acrobatics; use of performance space; costume/makeup; grace, control; balance and interaction of multiple performers; props, musical instruments, etc.
- Interpretive elements: communication of levels of meaning; use of physical and vocal elements to enhance meaning; interest level maintained; humor and emotional effects; characterization, etc.
- Integration of elements: overall timing, pace; unity; translations; all elements enhance and support each other; creation of atmosphere as setting for piece (e.g. with an introduction), etc.
- Audience interaction and awareness.
CREATIVITY (1-6 points)
- 1: Awkward performance; performer would rather be anywhere else.
- 2: Performer seems bored, uninspired; performer lacks confidence. (Flat "reading" with little or no performance embellishments to basic text or story.)
- 3: Completely straightforward performance. (Introduces only obvious embellishment, e.g. movement blatantly demanded by text, occasional gesture.)
- 4: All performance elements show logical innovative additions to basic "reading".
- 5: #4 plus the performer "gets into" the piece; the audience enjoys the performance
- 6: #5 plus the performance is striking, using new or unusual ways to capture audience's attention and to evoke a period mood.
Evaluate the work as a whole. NOTE: This category is subjective; however, the judge should take into account prior category scores, aesthetic appeal, presentation, intuitive response, and other such items not previously addressed.
DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points)
- 0: No documentation
- 1: Very inaccurate documentation.
- 2: Minimum information, on material only; listing time, place, title, author. For non-original material, cites source of text. For original material, cites period sources upon which piece is based.
- 3: #2, plus some discussion of performance elements (as listed under Workmanship).
- 4: #3, plus more detail and sources and rationale for all five performance elements (as listed under Workmanship).
- 0: Blatantly modern in material choice or performance style; OR complete misinterpretation of content of material.
- 1: Mixes performance elements and material of variant period or styles.
- 2: Most performance elements are consistent with the selection and period.
- 3: All performance elements are appropriate to the material, performance environment, nationality and time period.
- 4: Special care taken to enhance authenticity, in addition to above (e.g. period instrumental accompaniment, period costumes or props, etc.)
COMPLEXITY (1-5 points) Rank the ambition of the attempt, NOT the workmanship, on a scale of 1 to 5 based on the following.
- vocal elements attempted (see Workmanship)
- physical elements attempted (see Workmanship)
- interpretive elements attempted (see Workmanship)
- scope of endeavor (length, variety of elements, overall complexity)
WORKMANSHIP (1-5 points) Rank the success of the entry on a scale of 1-5 based on the following:
- Vocal elements: variety (tone, pace, pitch and volume); inflection; projection; articulation; use of metrical values, rhyme, sound color; dialect; impersonation/imitation, etc.
- Physical elements: facial expression; gesture, movement, mime, stunts, acrobatics; use of performance space; costume/makeup; grace, control; balance and interaction of multiple performers; props, musical instruments, etc.
- Interpretive elements: communication of levels of meaning; use of physical and vocal elements to enhance meaning; interest level maintained; humor and emotional effects; characterization, etc.
- Integration of elements: overall timing, pace; unity; translations; all elements enhance and support each other; creation of atmosphere as setting for piece (e.g. with an introduction), etc.
- Audience interaction and awareness.
- 1: Flat "reading" with little or no performance embellishments to basic text or story.
- 2: Introduces only obvious embellishment, e.g. movement blatantly demanded by text, occasional gesture.
- 3: Most performance elements indicate creative interpretation or embellishment logical to period context; OR one or more elements are outstandingly innovative.
- 4: All performance elements show logical innovative additions to basic reading.
NOTE: This category is subjective; however, the judge should take into account prior category scores, aesthetic appeal, presentation, intuitive response, and other such items not previously addressed.
DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points)
- 0: No documentation or very inaccurate documentation.
- 1: Minimum information, on material only; listing time, place, title, author. For non-original material, cites source of text. For original material, cites period sources upon which piece is based.
- 2: #1, plus some discussion of performance elements (as listed under Workmanship).
- 3: #2, plus more detail and sources and rationale for all five performance elements (as listed under Workmanship).
- 4: #3 with complete discussion and support for methods of integrating material and performance elements; discussion of intended performance environment in context of specified period (e.g. mead hall, war camp, etc.) and appropriateness of material and performance style to that environment.
AUTHENTICITY (0-4 points)Give one point for each element listed below that is present:
- 0: Blatantly modern in material choice or performance style; OR complete misinterpretation of content of material.
- 1: Mixes performance elements and material of variant period or styles.
- 2: Most performance elements are consistent with the selection and period.
- 3: All performance elements are appropriate to the material, performance environment, nationality and time period.
- 4: Special care taken to enhance authenticity, in addition to above (e.g. period instrumental accompaniment, period costumes or props, etc.)
COMPLEXITY (0-6 points)Rank the ambition of the attempt, NOT the workmanship, on a scale of O to 6 based on the following.
- vocal elements attempted (see Workmanship)
- physical elements attempted (see Workmanship)
- interpretive elements attempted (see Workmanship)
- scope of endeavor (length, variety of elements, overall complexity)
WORKMANSHIP (0-6 points)Rank the success of the attempt on a scale of 0 to 6 based on the following.
- Local elements: variety (tone, pace, pitch and volume); inflection; projection; articulation; use of metrical values, rhyme, sound color; dialect; impersonation/imitation, etc.
- Physical elements: facial expression; gesture, movement, mime, stunts, acrobatics; use of performance space; costume/makeup; grace, control; balance and interaction of multiple performers; props, musical instruments, etc.
- Interpretive elements: communication of levels of meaning; use of physical and vocal elements to enhance meaning; interest level maintained; humor and emotional effects; characterization, etc.
- Integration of elements: overall timing, pace; unity; translations; all elements enhance and support each other; creation of atmosphere as setting for piece (e.g. with an introduction), etc.
- Audience interaction and awareness.
CREATIVITY (0-4 points)
- 0: Flat reading; no performance embellishments to basic text or story; OR performance is completely illogical in context of period.
- 1: Introduces only obvious embellishment, e.g. movement blatantly demanded by text, occasional gesture.
- 2: Most performance elements indicate creative interpretation or embellishment logical to period context; OR one or more elements are outstandingly innovative.
- 3: All performance elements show logical innovative additions to basic reading.
- 4: Special effort to embellish and enrich; outstandingly creative in all areas; choice of material or performance style appropriate to specific occasion, person or performance environment
NOTE: This category is subjective; however, the judge should take into account prior category scores, aesthetic appeal, presentation, intuitive response, and other such items not previously addressed.