2015-2016 Drama Information

Its an exciting year for Speech and Drama. We have great things lined up and are excited to get
going. There will be a few changes this year to how and when auditions are performed, so make
sure to read over this information carefully.
AUDITIONS WILL TAKE PLACE FOR THE PLAY AND SPEECH AT THE SAME
TIME THIS YEAR. THE AUDITION IS AN ALL IN ONE MASS AUDITION. DONT
MISS OUT ON SPEECH BY NOT TRYING OUT.
You may audition for group speech, individual speech, and/or the play all at once.
Auditions will take place on Tuesday, September 8th @ 7:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., Wednesday
September 9th @ 7:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.. Casting for the play will be decided and posted by
Friday, September 11th, and Speech will be cast and posted by Friday, September 18th.
KNOW THE DATES AND CONFLICTS:
Play: The Games Afoot, or Holmes for the Holidays
-Rehearsals: Begin Tuesday, September 15th, everyday Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to
8:00 a.m. with evening and additional weekend rehearsals to be decided.
-Dates of Show: Saturday, November 14th @ 7:00 p.m.,
Sunday, November 15th @ 2:00 p.m.
Speech:
An Afternoon of Theatre: Sunday, January 17th @ 2:00 p.m. THIS IS REQUIRED FOR
PARTICIPATION IN COMPETITION.
District Group Speech: January 23rd, 2016
State Group Speech: February 6th, 2016
All-State Group Speech: February 20th, 2016
District Individual Speech: February 27th, 2016
State Individual Speech: March 12th, 2016
All-State Individual Speech: April 4th, 2016

SEE MORE INFO ON NEXT PAGE

More Valuable Information:

Play: The Games Afoot, or Holmes for the Holidays

Description: It is December 1936 and Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his
leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast-members to his Connecticut castle for a
weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of
tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. Then its up to Gillette himself, as he assumes the persona of his
beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears. The danger and hilarity are non-stop
in this glittering whodunit set during the Christmas holidays. --From Samuel French

Cast:
William Gillette
Martha Gillette
Felix Geisel
Madge Geisel
Simon Bright
Aggie Wheeler
Inspector Goring
Daria Chase
Large Group Speech:

One act play. A group performs either one act from a longer play, or a whole play
consisting of only one act; no limits are placed on cast size and scene changes.

Reader's Theater. A group performs a presentation of a work, read from a script; There
are no props besides chairs.

Choral reading. Also known as voice choir, where group members recite a work from a
script, whether in unison or not; movements and voice changes are used for effect.

Ensemble acting. Any type of acting scene requiring more than one participant. No
costuming or props allowed except for chairs and a table.

Group mime. A group acts out a scene in silence. Background music (without lyrics) is
allowed.

*Solo mime. An individual acts a scene in silence, usually to background instrumental

music, although this is not required.

Television news broadcasting. A video "broadcast" is prepared in advance by a group,

and displayed for judging; the video includes sections on news, weather, and even commercials.

Radio news broadcasting. A radio "broadcast" is prepared in advance by a group, either

on tape or CD, and is played for judging. As with the video-based competition, the "broadcast"
includes news, weather reports, and commercials.

Group improvisation. A group of 2-6 people choose one topic from a list of three, and
are given two minutes to prepare a scene lasting five minutes or less.

Musical theater. A group of 2 - 6 students performs a series of selections from a musical

play, with background music. This category has a maximum time limit of 10 minutes.

Short film. A film under five minutes is prepared in advance of the contest. The film can
be of any genre, from comedy to action, as long as it meets the time requirements. This contest can
involve as many as fifteen students.

Individual Speech:

Acting-a one act play or a segment of a play, book, or other published material

Poetry-speak a poem or poems

Prose-speak a section of a book or other published material

After Dinner Speaking-a speech like what would be given after a formal dinner about
anything

Improvisational Acting-a short made-up skit, often humorous. 3 characters and 2

situations are drawn, must include 2 characters and one situation from those drawn

Radio News Broadcasting-a radio program made up of current news and drawn up and
performed by one person (not to be confused with LG radio) that should cover most news including a
commercial and a news flash.

Spontaneous Speaking-a short made-up speech concerning important issues such as the
War in Iraq, padlocks on lockers, etc. Draw 3 topics and choose 1.

Original Oratory-a speech created by the speaker.

Review-A general review of a book, movie, compact disc, or other published material.

Storytelling-speaker tells a short story, memorized. Speaker must sit on a stool and
pretend to be telling the story to an audience. The story may be a children's story or have an adult
content.

Literary Program-a combination between poetry and prose categories

Public Address-speaker gives another persons' speech. Think

Expository-a "how-to" speech; a speech that explains how something works; an

explanatory speech.

Solo Musical Theater-speaker sings a song and acts it out. The speaker may record his
voice to the song ahead of time, however the voice and the song must be together.

Non-Acting Positions Needed:

Stage Manager-Play
Costume Manager
Light Crew
Makeup Crew
**Please note: There are only so many slots available for Speech events. It is up to the
directors discretion as to watch slot you will be put into, just as it is up to the directors to
decide what role you get, therefore you assume that you may be placed where the directors
see fit, not necessarily what you audition for.
SEE BACK FOR FINAL INFORMATION
Auditions will have three parts:
1. a cold reading of the script
2. an improv session
3. and if you are auditioning for musical theatre, you will need to prepare a
memorized BROADWAY musical number to perform.

In addition, directors may ask questions and may ask you to perform other tasks specific to
casting decisions.
Tips for auditioning:
-Come prepared
-Be yourself
-Expect to be challenged/try different things
-Know that Speech and Drama are a commitment, if you audition you are a part of a team,
whether you want to do individual or group speech, or the play, others rely on you. Make sure
this is a commitment you are willing to make.
Unexcused/Excused Absence Policy for Drama and Speech
The purpose of rehearsal: Rehearsal is the time when we work with actors and crew to
make sure everything is working smoothly together and that everyone knows their part. We
schedule rehearsals with the idea that we use everyones time optimally. This means that
not everyone is required at rehearsal everyday, which results in the fact that absences are
even more of a serious matter since we may not see you as often.
The following applies to crew or cast members of Speech and Drama:
-You may not miss more than THREE rehearsals, unexcused
-School practices and events in which you participate are valid excused absences, as
long as it is cleared by the directors
-If you miss for a family or other reason, you must provide a signed parent note
-You must let Mrs. Richardson or Mrs. Snicker know at least TWO days ahead of
a planned excused absence
-You are responsible for knowing and checking the rehearsal schedule
-If you are continuously late to a rehearsal, it is up to the directors discretion as to
the consequence
If an actor or crew member does not follow these guidelines, the directors will hold a
mandatory conference with the actor or crew member to decide what action is best for the
cast and crew.