Big 8 Conference Tournament

2011 — WI/US

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Group Interpretation

Event Description:

Purpose of the Category

To develop skills related to the ensemble interpretation of a literary script.

Definition of the Category
Contrary to dramatic performance, the challenge of this category is to present a literary script in suchmanner that the audience imagines action being described rather than witnessing it being performed.Symbolic characterization and vocal and physical action rather than a literal dramatization or pantomime isrequired. Ideas are imagined though oral reading and interpretation and not through acting.Rules
1. Group Interpretive Reading is an ensemble presentation by 2-5 readers of a literary cutting, a completework, or compiled from a variety of sources. The material may be prose, poetry, or essay – or acombination of these forms – but drama is prohibited. Original material is allowed. The coach mustbring a photocopy of the students’ original source of materials to provide to the Tournament Practicesand Procedures Committee, should the validity be questioned. The use of a reading stand is permittedbut not required.
2. An introduction, which includes titles, authors, tone and theme is required, and along with any necessarytransitions, is to be presented without the use of notes. The presentation may begin with a read portion ofthe selected material prior to the presenter’s personal introduction. The presentation must begin fromcenter stage.
3. The selections are to be read from a manuscript or book. The material is to be interpreted, however, theparticipant will not be penalized whether or not the selection is memorized. Chairs or stools are notallowed, but reading stands for scripts may be used.
4. Movements to suggest relationships, feelings, changes, ideas, moods, locales, etc., consistent with theoffstage focus of the presentation are acceptable and subject to critique. Onstage focus (direct eyecontact) and physical contact (touching) between participants is prohibited, except in the introduction.Any non-mechanical sound effects and forms of vocal music must be an integral part of the literatureand incidental to the performance. Costumes, props, mechanical sound effects and lighting are notallowed.
5. Maximum time limit: 12 minutes, with an allowable 15-second grace period. There is no minimum timerequirement. Vocal music, if used, must be incidental and consist of no more than 30 seconds total. Anyentry exceeding the grace period and/or the vocal music time limit may not be ranked first in the round.If all entries in a round exceed either time limit, no first rank shall be given in that round.

Criteria for Evaluation
1. The extent to which the introduction and transitions contributed to the coherence of the presentation.
2. The extent to which the ensemble demonstrated an understanding of the intellectual, emotional, andsensory experiences inherent in the literature. Individual judges may lower the rank due to use ofprofanity or vulgarity.
3. The extent to which vocal aspects of the performance were appropriate and enhancing to the meaning ofthe literature, including such items as articulation, pronunciation, vocal clarity, volume, rate, and pitch.
4. The extent to which visual aspects of the performance were appropriate and enhancing to the meaning ofthe literature, including such items as the handling of scripts as well as gestures, facial expression, andbodily movement.
5. The extent to which the ensemble's interpretation constituted a well-paced and unified literarypresentation.