Benton Speech
WELCOME TO BENTON SPEECH!
Sign up for the 2022-23 season here:
Join the Remind group to receive updates via text or email. You can sign up by texting @speechbc to 81010
Who can participate?
Anyone in grades 9-12 maintaining passing grades
What is speech?
There are two areas of participation: Large Group & Individual Events. Speech is a performance activity. Students will compete against other students across the state in different performance categories. Speech is a great way to build acting and public speaking skills.
Each of these areas has a District, State and All-State level. Students must receive a division I rating at District competition to go on to State. At State, a student must receive at least two I ratings to receive an overall division I rating. Students must be nominated as outstanding performers by at least two judges to be chosen to perform at the All-State level.
When is the speech season?
Speech season usually starts after the fall musical and runs through April. Rehearsal times vary before and after school. Students will practice for 1-3 hours per week during their season per event. Large Group happens first and runs from November until February. Individual Events start practicing in January and run through March.
Where are contests?
Contest sites vary from year to year. All contests are held in Iowa high schools and colleges. We are assigned the nearest location in our Southeast District.
Why should I participate in speech?
Speech helps develop poise and confidence, and the ability to speak effectively. These are life skills. The Iowa High School Speech Association believes that no form of activity is more important than that of learning to speak effectively. It is also a lot of fun to go to contests and spend time enjoying theatre performances. You can also letter in speech by earning 80 points in a season. Points are earned any time students perform and each time students participate in a new category. Students must perform in two categories over the two speech seasons to be eligible to letter (for example: 2 large group events, 2 individual events, or 1 large group and 1 individual event)
Large Group Speech
STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN 2 EVENTS PER SEASON
One-Act Play: theatrical performance of a play. Memorized performance, students can use costumes, set pieces and props.
Reader’s Theatre: up to 15 people perform with scripts. No costumes, makeup, etc. Emphasis on character development.
Ensemble Acting: 2-5 people perform a memorized theatrical performance with no makeup, costumes, props, etc.
Choral Reading: group interpretation of a text using a variety of solo and ensemble speaking. Up to 15 people using scripts. Costumes and props can be used.
Group Mime: a group of students creating a message or story without the use of words.
Solo Mime: one-person pantomime.
Radio broadcasting: a taped radio news program.
Group Improvisation: creating and presenting a story using a given situation. 2-5 people. Two min prep.
Musical Theatre: theatrical performance by 2-6 people that utilizes music in the form of song and/or dance.
Short Film: 2-15 students create and edit a 5-minute film.
Individual Events
STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN 2 EVENTS PER SEASON
Radio News Announcing: a coherent 4-5 minute news program is presented after selecting and organizing news copy during a 30 minute prep time.
Expository Address: an original informative speech that includes visual aids.
Storytelling: sharing an original or published story. Told, not read. Performer sits on a stool.
Improvisational Acting: creating and presenting a story using a given situations, and two separate characters. You draw topics at the site, with a 15-minute preparation time.
Review: an information speech in which the speaker shares his/her viewpoint of a movie, book, video, etc.
After-Dinner Speaking: an original speech directed toward a specific listening group. It should be entertaining, with a theme.
Public Address: a memorized presentation of another’s material.
Acting: memorized presentation of a scene.
Interpretative Reading-Poetry: not memorized, an oral interpretation of a selection of poetic material.
Interpretative Reading-Prose: not memorized, an oral interpretation of selected prose.
Interpretative Reading-Prose: not memorized, an oral interpretation of selected prose.
Literary Program: presentation of poetry and prose on a common theme. Not memorized.
Original Oratory: written by the speaker, this speech must be persuasive or inspirational.
Spontaneous Speaking: a speech is prepared at the contest site, from three current events topics drawn by the student. Three minutes to prepare.
Solo Musical Theatre: One-person performance of a song from a musical. Emphasis on characterization.
Team Information
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Contest Etiquette:
- Be at school at the appointed time
- No school apparel can be worn (this applies to parents and friends who come to watch performances as well)
- Dress professionally: no jeans, sweatpants, etc.
- Be quiet outside of performance areas
- Be polite and respectful to the room chairs, timers and judges (really just be polite and respectful all of the time - you are representing your school and family)
Visit the Iowa High School Speech Association site for more information
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