Mount St Mary Academy Forensics Festival
2025 — Little Rock, AR/US
JH Duet Improvisation
Event Description:
CRITERIA: If a rule is broken, judge should lower performer one ranking and rating.
*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 speech.
*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 props, costumes or makeup may be used during performance. (Only one chair may be used by the performer.)
*An introduction should be presented containing information necessary to understand story.
*Title and performers’ names should be presented in the introduction.
*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 expressionsadapted 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 portraythe story and characters effectively? Was it entertaining?And/or enjoyable?