Mount St Mary Academy Forensics Festival
2025 — Little Rock, AR/US
HS Duet Improvisation
Event Description:
CRITERIA: If a rule is broken, judge should lower performer one ranking and rating.
In Duet Improvisation (IMPROV), a team of two competitors will draw three topics and choose one topic for performance. Performers will use creativity, plot development, and characterization to craft a short, original scene that tells a story and entertains. Use of stock plots, pre-scripted, or re-used material from round to round is strongly discouraged.
*Judge calls contestant to choose a number associated with a group of 3 topics. Contestant chooses topic. That group of topics is now eliminated from being chosen by other contestants. Time begins. Contestant has 7 minutes (30 second grace) to prepare and deliver speech. When contestant is ready to speak, they go to front of room and begin their speech. TIME NEVER STOPS UNTIL CONTESTANT FINISHES SPEAKING!
*Speaker is given a TOTAL of 7 minutes with a 30 second grace period to PREPARE and DELIVER their scene.
*Prep time begins once a student tells judge what topic they choose.
*Minute by minute time signals must be given to contestant. Verbally until the speech begins, then visual.
*No costumes, props or makeup may be used during the performance. Only one chair per performer may be used.
*Performers must present an introduction containing the topic, characters and necessary background .
*The speech is to be delivered from memory. Scripts may not be used; use of scripts is against ACTAA event rules per the Qualifying Document.
*Time limit, inclusive of introduction, is 7 minutes with a 30 second “grace period”. Should the performer go beyond the grace period they may not be ranked 1st. There is no time minimum.
*Note: It is the expectation that performances are the artistic creation of the performer(s). It is plagiarism to copy a performance in detail from a video online. If there is suspicionof plagiarism, please be prepared to cite the source that was copied and consult with the tournament director. The tournament director will then consult with the coach of theperformer(s) concerning consequences, which may result in their disqualification from the tournament.
COMMENTS:
Introduction: Did it establish background information? Did it introduce both actors? Did it set the mood, scene?
Scene: Did it follow a definite storyline (beginning, middle, end)? Did the story flow without pauses? Was the content appropriate?
Delivery: Were the voice, gestures, and facial expressions adapted to the selection? Was tempo correct? Did mime and pantomime and blocking help?
Characterization: Were the characters distinct? Were they portrayed properly? Believable?
Overall Impression: Did the speaker portray the story and characters effectively? Was it entertaining? And/or enjoyable?