Collierville Holiday Classic

2026 — Collierville, TN/US

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Middle School Duo Interpretation

Event Description:

Duo Interpretation

Judging Rules and Guidelines

a. Contest requirements

1. Literature

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Literature for performance will be from published, printed novels, short

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

merit.

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.

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

student used in THSSDL competition in any previous contest year.

The original published source of any selections used must be

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

the cutting.

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

(f)

2. Time

(a)

(b)

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

period.

limit.

3. Performance

The introduction to the selection is considered part of the overall time

Penalties will be imposed for exceeding the time limit.

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Two performers will present the literature from memory.

Each of the 2 performers may play one or more characters.

Both performers should participate in the memorized introduction.

Costumes and props may not be used.

The performers must use “off stage focus.” Performers may not make

any physical or eye contact with one another, except during the

introduction.

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

detract from the meaning of the material. Movement is acceptable and

may include standing, stepping, bending, pivoting, stooping, kneeling,

turning, and/or changing positions. Excessive movement is

discouraged. Movement that detracts from the meaning and content of

the written piece of literature should be considered excessive.

b. Judging criteria

Duo interpretation will be judged on the choice of selection - its appropriateness and

literary merit and the challenge it offers the performers. The contestants will also be

judged on their abilities to interpret together on the development of the persona(e)

within the selection, and on their good use of dramatic timing. Vocal and physical

control, as well as the overall effect of the selection, will be considered.

Evaluation will be based on the students’ ability to work together in the interpretation of

the selection, as well as their abilities to reveal their insight into the mood and

implications of the selection. The students’ projection of the dramatic qualities and their

success in creating a uniform scene or story should be considered.