Collierville Holiday Classic

2026 — Collierville, TN/US

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Middle School Dramatic Interpretation

Event Description:

Dramatic Interp

Judging Rules and Guidelines

a. Contest requirements

1. Literature

(a) Literature for performance will be from published, printed novels, short

stories, plays or poetry. The material should be of recognized literary

merit.

(b) (c) Recorded material that is not printed and published is prohibited.

Material from the Internet that is not printed and published in any

other media is prohibited.

(d) A student may not use a cutting from a work of literature that the student

used in THSSDL competition in any previous contest year.

(e) The original published source of any selections used must be

immediately available at the tournament, as well as a complete script

of the cutting.

(f) The literature may not be the student's own work.

(g) Monologues are acceptable.

2. Time

(a) The maximum time limit is ten (10) minutes with a 30 second “grace”

period.

(b) The introduction to the selection is considered part of the

overall time limit.

(c) Penalties will be imposed for exceeding the time limit.

3. Performance

(a) Vocal, facial, and bodily expressions may be used as long as they do not

call attention to the interpreter as a performer, detract from the meaning

of the material, or constitute acting or impersonation.

(b) Evaluation will be based on the student’s ability to reveal insight into the

mood and implications of the selection, projection of the dramatic qualities,

and success in creating a uniform scene or story.

(c) Literature will be performed from memory.

b. Judging criteria

Oral Interpretation of Dramatic Literature will be evaluated on the choice of

selection - its appropriateness and literary merit and the challenge it offers the

performer. The contestant will also be judged on the development of the

character(s) within the scene and the effective use of dramatic timing. Vocal

and physical control, as well as the overall effect of the selection, will also be

considered.