Phoenix Invitational
2019 — Phoenix, OR/US
Open Prose
Event Description:
PROSE
Number of Judges: One Two Three
Judges: Please wait for the correct number of judges to begin the round. No Oral Critiques.
Length: There is no minimum time limit; contestants shall speak no more than eight minutes with a 30-second period of grace including the introduction and reading. If laughter delays the speaker, the timekeeper shall make allowance by stopping the watch at the beginning and starting it at the end of each interruption. Time signals may be given at the speaker’s request; however, presentation within the time length is ultimately the responsibility of the speaker. Contestants who violate the time limit may receive a lower rank. No contestant may be penalized if a stopwatch was not used for timing.
Introduction: Each reader shall appropriately introduce the reading. Introductions should be memorized or delivered extemporaneously.
Presentation: The materials are to be read from a manuscript or printed page. Continued practice during the time of preparation may result in memorization of some passages. The aim of the reader, however, should not be complete memorization. Rather frequent references must be made to the manuscript during the presentation of the materials. Contestants may use limited gestures while standing in one place and freely using facial, verbal and vocal expression. Contestants may use transition steps during introductions and transitions, which should be presented in an extemporaneous manner making use of appropriate gestures and physical movements.
Materials: The materials shall be cuttings from published, printed short stories, novels or essays, published electronically or in print. No material may be presented from any work that is identified as a play / drama, poem, stand-up-comedy routine, sermon or speech. Adaptations may be made for the purpose of continuity only. Selections may be chosen from any good literature without regard to publication date. Both narration and dialogue are encouraged, but MORE THAN 50% OF THE WORDS IN THE SELECTION MUST BE NARRATION.
Instructions to the Judges. This is a contest for the interpretation of a cutting from a published, printed short story, novel, or essay. No speaker shall be penalized for a lack of dialogue in his or her presentation. The responsibility of the speaker is to entertain the audience with the material used. The speaker should suggest the characters, moods, and changes of situation largely through his voice. Characterizations should be confined to facial expressions, postures, and character placement, but there should be no movement of the entire body. Special Note. Judges should expect that some readers, from constant practice of their selections, may be able to present portions from memory. Speakers are not to be penalized for this, as long as they refer rather frequently to their manuscripts or to the printed page in front of them.