The Competitions
2024 Speech Arts & Drama Competition Spring/Summer
2024 Speech Arts & Drama Competition Spring/Summer
Competition Opens March 1st, 2024 to July 15th, 2024
Showcase date: Nov 9th, 2024 at 8PM
“Speech is power:
speech is to persuade,
to convert, to compel.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Competition Type & Categories
Magnum Opus reserves the right to determine the scope of performance categories for each Competition. For example, one Competition may focus on speechmaking, another on poetry and prose; one may focus on classical texts while another may include all possible categories; or, new categories may be introduced. Regardless, eligible categories will be made clear in each Competition's submission guidelines.
Entrants are encouraged to choose material that challenges themselves as well as the listener. Also, they are reminded that humorous pieces are as welcome as serious ones.
Poetry
Intended to convey ideas, experiences, and emotions by way of purposely structured language. Entrants may choose any type of poetry, being sure to match performance choices to the author's intention and the poem's style.
Prose
Defined by non-metrical writing, either fiction or non-fiction, where the speaker is the narrator. The focus should be on vocal, not dramatic, performance. The selection should include narration, description, and dialogue. It should be spoken in the storytelling style, and not performed as a dramatic scene. Vocal characterization is allowed, but the quality of the prose must be maintained.
Dramatic Performance
A monologue, soliloquy, duologue, or scene (not Elizabethan or Jacobean), where speakers are characters. Entrants should approach the performance as actors: by embracing the language and deportment of the character portrayed. Selections should be judiciously edited to reflect the number of characters speaking while maintaining sense.
And,
Dramatic Performance (Elizabethan & Jacobean)
A period-appropriate monologue, soliloquy, duologue, or scene, where speakers are characters. Entrants should approach the performance as actors: by embracing the language and deportment of the character portrayed. Selections should be judiciously edited to reflect the number of characters speaking while maintaining sense. Material should be sourced from dramatic plays, not poetical works.
Solo
Duologue
Group
Storytelling (Original)
Considered an unpublished story written by the Entrant, delivered in a vivid style that feels extemporaneous. Themes range widely and may include, for example, mysteries, heroism, or fairy tales. Entrants are encouraged not to equate “storytelling” with immature subject matter or young audiences.
Storytelling (Non-Original)
Considered a published story not written by the Entrant, delivered in a vivid style that feels extemporaneous. Themes range widely and may include, for example, mysteries, heroism, or fairy tales. Entrants are encouraged not to equate “storytelling” with immature subject matter or young audiences.
Speech (Original: Persuasive)
Considered an unpublished discourse with the general purpose of persuasion, written by the Entrant and delivered in a style that feels extemporaneous, appropriate to the imaginary circumstances, and suitable to its specified audience.
Speech (Original: Informative or Demonstrative)
Considered an unpublished discourse with the general purpose information or demonstration, written by the Entrant and delivered in a style that feels extemporaneous, appropriate to the imaginary circumstances, and suitable to its specified audience.
Speech (Original: Entertaining)
Considered an unpublished discourse with the general purpose entertainment, written by the Entrant and delivered in a style that feels extemporaneous, appropriate to the imaginary circumstances, and suitable to its specified audience.
Speech (Non-Original)
Considered a published discourse from any historical period, delivered in a style that feels extemporaneous and appropriate to the original speaker's intent.
