Iowa High School Speech Association - Large Group Events

Large Group Events

• One act play. A group performs either one act from a longer play, or a whole play consisting of only one act; no limits are placed on cast size and scene changes.
• Reader's Theater. A group performs a presentation of a work, read from a script; There are no props besides chairs.
• Choral reading. Also known as voice choir, where group members recite a work from a script, whether in unison or not; movements and voice changes are used for effect.
• Ensemble acting. Any type of acting scene requiring more than one participant. No costuming or props allowed except for chairs and a table.
• Group mime. A group acts out a scene in silence. Background music (without lyrics) is allowed.Also, traditional mime facepaint is no longer used in competition as it was deemed "racist."
• *Solo mime. An individual acts a scene in silence, usually to background instrumental music, although this is not required.
• Television news broadcasting. A video "broadcast" is prepared in advance by a group, and displayed for judging; the video includes sections on news, weather, and even commercials.
• Radio news broadcasting. A radio "broadcast" is prepared in advance by a group, either on tape or CD, and is played for judging. As with the video-based competition, the "broadcast" includes news, weather reports, and commercials.
• Group improvisation. A group of 2-6 people choose one topic from a list of three, and are given two minutes to prepare a scene lasting five minutes or less.
• Musical theater. A group of 2 - 6 students performs a series of selections from a musical play, with background music. This category has a maximum time limit of 10 minutes.