BG Vette City Virtual Junior Speech Tournament

2020 — Online, KY/US

• Invite
• Pairings
• Live Updates
• Results

Junior - Improvisational Duo

Event Description:

IMPROVISATIONAL DUO—Junior and Senior Divisions (2020-2021)

Students were given these instructions:

Improv Duo Topic

May be played humorous or serious. Must establish a problem to be solved.

Prep time: up to 5 minutes

Performance time: No greater than 6 minutes

Students are to film their prep time AND their performance time.

Students may communicate in prep time on their shared Zoom or Google Meet call or by telephone call.

In performance, we should be able to see both students in the frame, though they may step out for a moment as needed.

They may NOT be in the same room when filming for fairness/safety’s sake.

They may have a timer or time themselves.

This is a Round 2 / Quarters / Finals -style prompt. Students must present a scene that includes this line:

“Distance makes the heart grow fonder.”

Judge Instructions

Rules

1. In this event involving limited preparation, two students create and present a performance portraying two characters. Preparation time for Improvisational Duo is three minutes for senior division and five minutes for junior division. Setting up the chairs, when used, is part of preparation time. Preparation time is separate from performance time.

1. The time limit for the performance is six minutes. There is a fifteen-second grace period, after which the student must be dropped in rank/rating. No violation of the grace period in Regional/State Quarterfinal, Semifinal, or Final rounds may result in disqualification. No performance violating the grace period may receive ‘1’ in the round.

1. TIME SIGNALS DURING THE PERFORMANCE ARE REQUIRED. The count-down method is required. In this method, the judge holds up a number of fingers indicating the number of minutes remaining out of the six minute performance time limit.

1. No make-up, costumes, props, or lighting are permitted, but two chairs may be used. Doors and walls are considered props. Each performer may portray ONE and only ONE character during the scene; dialogue must be equally shared over the course of the scene. An introduction by one or both students is required to set the scene, and a resolution of the conflict must be evident at the end of the scene.

1. Profanity, sexual innuendo, and/or excessive physicality will result in the performance being marked last in the round.

Judge Guidelines

1. The scene must be a self-contained unit holding together a story itself. Students must resolve the conflict presented in the topic.

1. The suitability of the material to the maturity level of the performer should be considered.

Criteria for Judging

1. Introduction of Selection

Was there adequate information to set the scene? Innovative introductions should not be discouraged.

1. Teamwork and Characterization

Was there evidence of effective timing, cue work, and rhythm? Was there evidence of character analysis and understanding? Were the characters clearly delineated?

1. Blocking and Stage Movement

Did the scene move appropriately and effectively? Was the use of movement, gestures, and business in evidence as the scene and characterization developed?

1. Line Delivery

Were the actors clearly understandable? Did the actors adapt to the size of this room?

1. Resolution and Effectiveness of Scene

Was there a sense of wholeness and total dramatic effect in the scene? Was a resolution of the conflict obvious at the end of the scene?