SYLLABUS 2024

41st Annual 

Prince George Speech Arts & Drama Festival

Hosted by the volunteers of the 

Prince George Speech Arts and Drama Festival Society

April 20 – April 26, 2024

At UNBC 

Registration February 5 - 20th, 2024

Best of the Fest May 11th, 2024 at 5:30 PM 

at UNBC Canfor Theatre 

Situated on the traditional territories of the Lheidli T'enneh Nation.

2024 PABC Provincial Festival June 2 to June 6, 2024 in Fort St. John, BC.  2024

2024 Canada West Performing Arts Festival Victoria, B.C. July 25 to 27, 2024

Welcome to the 41stAnnual 

Prince George Speech Arts & Drama Festival! 

The Syllabus is our guiding document for the festival and it contains everything you need to know to enter the festival!

Changes this year are: 

1. Our registration date is earlier. The earlier date will allow more time for our valuable volunteers to arrange their time so they can volunteer.
2. Please note the two new classes that Performing Arts BC Provincials is offering. We have had those classes before, but this is the first year for the Provincials.  
3. 2023/2024 Prince George Speech Arts and Drama Volunteer Board of Directors:

President:  Trudy Klassen Vice-President: open

Treasurer:  Aimee Cassie Secretary:  Julia Clemson

Director:  Jana Peters

The Board of Directors can be contacted at pg.speech.arts.drama@gmail.com

Our Partners: 

Private Speech Arts & Drama Teachers:

Contact any of these teachers offering private classes or individual lessons:

Grace Arnott kaleidoscopekids2014@gmail.com

Melissa Glover shootingstarstheathre@gmail.com

Caroljoy Green shinespeecharts@gmail.com

Public and Private School Teachers. We welcome each of you and value your work!

Volunteers: 

The festival is volunteer run and organized by the working volunteer board. Please contact President Trudy Klassen (250-613-8299) or any other Director to find out how your talents and skills can be put to use to build up our future leaders!

Sponsors and Donors:

 We award our top performers and sponsor their attendance at the Provincials. We fund those awards from the generous donations of festival supporters. You may donate pgspeech.arts.drama@gmail.com or by scanning the QR code or contact us to inquire. 

Parents and Guardians:

You may appear last on our list of partners, but NOTHING would happen without your efforts! Whether it’s ensuring your child gets to class or practicing their lines at home, providing the opportunity for your child/ren to build confidence and power in public speaking through performing great literature and scenes is what the festival is all about. 

Registration:

Registration is online on our website www.princegeorgefestival.com and opens on February 1st. Registration deadline is February 15th. Late entries will be accepted until February 20th if they are accompanied by a late fee of $15.00.

Entry fees: 

6 years and under                    $8 per piece (Lollipop League, non-competitive)

7 years to 13 years                  $20 per piece

14 years to 16 years                $25 per piece

17 years to 23 years                $35 per piece

24 years and over                    $35 per piece, non-competitive

Duos                                        $15 per person

Groups (3+)                             $45 per group

 

Provincial Class fees:

Junior                                     $60

Intermediate                         $65 

Senior                                     $70 

Public Speaking and Storytelling Class       $45

Festival Volunteering: 

During each day of the festival, an additional 6 volunteers are needed to take a three- hour shift. After registration and once our program is complete, please check your inbox for an email from us to choose your spot to volunteer at the festival. We will be using ‘SignUp’, an online website. It’s as simple as clicking on the link and choosing the volunteer time that works for you. **Please do not choose a secretary spot when your child is performing.**

Prince George Speech Arts and Drama Festival Syllabus  2024

The primary purpose of the festival is educational. The Festival Classes offered are intended to aid in the study and development of excellence in the Speech Arts & Drama discipline, and to further the recognition and appreciation of good literature. 

We welcome all ages and levels to participate, but only entrants aged 6 to aged 23 are eligible for awards, scholarships and entry in the Provincials classes.

To encourage striving for the highest levels of performance, the festival is competitive. Students receive marks and the top three entries in every category receive a certificate after adjudication. and entrants are eligible for awards. Value of awards depends upon donations received in any given year. 

Adjudicators select competitors and merited participants for the Performing Arts of BC Festival (called “Provincials”) and choose worthy performers for the Best of the Fest, which is held a week or two after the festival.

Entry Directions and Rules

Registration opens on February 1st and closes on February 15th

Late entries accepted until February 20th, 2024 for an additional fee of $15.00

Festival Registration is online at www.princegeorgefestival.com

Questions can be directed to pg.speech.artsdrama@gmail.com

1. No changes to performance selections after the Festival Registration deadline.

2. Festival entrants will be grouped according to age and Festival Class Number.

3. The Festival reserves the right to combine or divide classes where numbers warrant.

4. Correct fees must accompany Festival Registration Forms. Payment is online.  

5. Entrants must provide a typed copy of their selection before their class begins. Please label these copies with the student’s name, age and class in the upper right-hand corner of the page. To comply with copyright law, a waiver will need to be signed by either the teacher or the parent to confirm that the book the selection is published in, is in your possession unless it’s in the public domain. An electronic version of the published material is acceptable, provided receipts are available as proof of purchase. 

6. Unless otherwise stated, the entrant is expected to perform selections from memory.

7. No assistance during performance, except pre-performance for set-up of props for scenes (if necessary), or for the direction of Choral Speaking.

8. No entrant may perform the same selection in more than one festival class, or more than one selection in any one festival class. 

9. Entrants may re-enter pieces performed in previous years, provided that the selection was not a first-place winner.

10. Please endeavour to adhere to performance time limits as noted in this Syllabus. Disqualification may result if time faults occur in timed classes. 

11. It is the responsibility of the entrants and teachers to enter selections in the correct class.  If you are at all unsure which class your performance piece(s) should be entered under, please feel free to contact any of the teachers listed at the beginning of the Syllabus.

12. Any adults (22+years) are invited to enter any Festival Class not specifically age designated.

13. Our Lollipop League is designed to give younger children (Ages 6 and under) an       introduction to the Festival experience in an encouraging, non-competitive setting. 

14. When the program is complete in early March, please watch your inbox. You will receive an email from “Sign-up.” Select  your preferred time slots to volunteer your time for the smooth operation of the festival. 

PERFORMING ARTS BC 2024 PROVINCIAL FESTIVAL

Performing Arts BC (PABC) will be holding the Provincial Festival June 2 to June 6, 2024 in Fort St. John, BC. (Top performing representatives from the PABC festival will be recommended by adjudicators to be eligible to participate in the 2024 Canada West Performing Arts Festival, held in Victoria, B.C. July 25 to 27, 2024.) 

Festival Entrants wishing to be considered for recommendation to the Provincial Festival must enter Class 20: Provincial Class Solo, or Class 21: Provincial Class Public Speaking and Storytelling, at our local Festival.  

Any number of qualifying representatives may be recommended to the PABC Festival PROVINCIAL EXCELLENCE SPEECH AND DRAMATIC ARTS class (ages 22 years and under). The new PABC PROVINCIAL EXCELLENCE SPEECH AND DRAMATIC ARTS class requirements are as follows: “A well-rounded program that is comprised of selections by different authors representing a diversity of time periods. The program must include five to seven selections including one piece by a Canadian author and two contrasting dramatic scenes; one of the scenes must have been written prior to the year 1900. Classical scenes such as Greek, Shakespeare, Restoration or 18th Century dramatic selections may be considered to meet this requirement. All selections must have a unifying theme. At the PABC Festival performers must introduce their theme to the audience at the beginning and then prior to the performance of each selection briefly explaining the selection’s connection to the theme.” ** This class requires a high degree of quality work. Should our festival adjudicator determine that the level or quality of performances presented at our festival are not suitable for recommendation to the PABC Festival no entrants from our festival will be sent for this level. **    

Please see the link to the PABC website: www.bcprovincials.com 

PUBLIC SPEAKING (description as taken from the PABC Syllabus): “Is the act or process of making speeches in public. The selection of Public Speaking must be an original extemporaneous speech and not memorized. Notes should be used but not read from. The speech can be persuasive, informational, or entertaining. The topic should be the speaker’s choice. Research, organization, language and all aspects of delivery and audience appeal should be considered in the competitor’s delivery. Presentation aids may be used but must be set up, utilized, and removed within the specified time.”

STORYTELLING (description as taken from the PABC Syllabus): “Is the interactive art of using words to reveal the elements and images of a story while encouraging the listener's imagination. The selection of storytelling can include an original story or the competitor’s adaptation of a folktale, fairy tale, myth, legend, or story. Stories must be told and must be in the competitor’s own words without the use of notes. Appropriate sounds, props, or limited movement may be included. Such choices should be utilized without disruption in the delivery of the story.

NOTE: Performing Arts BC Provincial winners of the Public Speaking and Storytelling class will not qualify for recommendation to the Canada West Festival. 

Prince George Speech Arts and Drama 

FESTIVAL CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

SOLO CLASSES:

1. LYRIC POETRY: A lyric is a short, unified poem expressing the poet’s own experience, thoughts and feelings. It does not tell a story but describes a scene or emotion in a subjective manner. Usually performed in a relaxed sitting or standing position with no movement.   Time limit: 3 minutes.

2. NARRATIVE POETRY:  A narrative poem tells a story and often contains dialogue.  It may contain lyric passages, but the telling of the story is the primary concern of the speaker. The poem is written objectively and may be humorous. Gestures may be included.  Time limit:  3 minutes.

3. DRAMATIC POETRY: In a dramatic poem, the performer assumes a character distinct from him/herself and the poet. The primary objective of the performer is to reveal a character’s thoughts, feelings and motivations to the listener. Gestures may be included, and the poem may be humorous.  Time limit:  3 Minutes.

4. CANADIAN POETRY: Any poem written by a Canadian poet.  Time limit:  3 minutes.

5. HUMOROUS POETRY: Any form of light or humorous verse.  Time limit:  3 minutes.

6. I LIKE THIS POEM: Any age-appropriate poem spoken from memory. The Entrants should be prepared to explain their choice in 30 seconds or less. The poem may be shared in any language with a side-by-side translation provided.   Time limit:  3 minutes. 

EXAMPLE:

I wandered lonely as a cloud Yo vagava tan solo como una nube

That floats on high o’er vales and hills Que flota en alta o’er de vales y colinas.

When all at once I saw a crowd, Cuando de una vez vi una multitude,

A host, of golden daffodils: Un receptor, de los narcisos de oro:

Sign Language is allowed with simultaneous spoken English. Adjudication for this class will be in English.

7. SONNET/SONNET SEQUENCE: A sonnet is a poem normally of 14 lines in any of several specific patterns.  Sonnets characteristically express a single theme or idea. 

For this Festival, a student can choose to share a single sonnet or a pair of sonnets related in some way. The sonnets’ theme, form or author are connections that could be made. This relationship should be explained as part of the performance.  Time limit:  5 minutes.

8. PROSE:  A concise selection of a few paragraphs from a novel or story that form a dramatic unit. Spoken in storytelling style, using the exact words of the author. Editing is permitted where quality of the prose can be maintained. Please note edits with [...] on typed copy. No movement around the stage or acting, but characterization and some gesturing are encouraged. A balance of narration and dialogue is optimal.  Time limit:  5 minutes.

9. SACRED READING: A selection from any sacred book. The selection should be read not memorized, except for very young children, who may choose to present their work from memory. Entrants will read from their own book. Please note title and version of the sacred book from which the selection is taken on festival registration form.  Time limit:  3 minutes.

10. DRAMATIC SCENE (SOLO): A speech of one character from a play (for Shakespeare, enter class below) or a monologue from a book. Lines of other characters may be deleted, with the solo performed as if part of the whole play. Simple costumes and hand props may be used, and movement employed to help express character. Adaptations from stories may be used for entrants under 11 years.  Time limit:  5 minutes.

11. SHAKESPEARE SOLO:  A speech of one character from a play by William Shakespeare. Lines of other characters may be cut, and a solo created if the sense of the passage can be maintained. The solo should be performed as if part of the whole play. Simple costumes and hand props may be used.  Time limit:  5 minutes.

12. SIGHT READING:  A prose selection suited to the age of the entrant will be provided at the time of performance.  The entrant will read the selection aloud to the audience.  60 seconds preparation time will be allowed.  

13. CONCERT VARIATIONS:  The Entrant will perform a short program of two or three selections of different form, but on a similar theme. (eg. lyric poem, prose passage, narrative poem, storytelling/oral history). For storytelling, the entrant will tell a story in their own words; using an informal storytelling style. Stories may be original, oral history, or a re-telling of a published folktale, fairytale, myth, legend, or story.  The entrant is expected to introduce and explain the choices, linking them together with suitable commentary, and will be adjudicated on the total presentation.  Time limit:  12 minutes.

14. SOLO MIME:  The Entrant will perform a mimed story.  Up to two chairs or stools can be used, but no hand props.  Entrants may announce titles or display on a sign. Entrants must submit a brief typed outline. Time limit:  3 minutes. 

15. PUBLIC SPEAKING: Extemporaneous, Historic, or Literary Speech entrants have an option to present either an original extemporaneous speech (from notes) or a performance of a Public Speech from history or literature. Please submit a brief outline if performing an original extemporaneous speech, or full text typed copy if performing a Historic or Literary Speech. If performing a Historic or Literary Speech, a waiver confirming your possession of the source book must also be signed. Time limit:  4 minutes.

16. STORYTELLING: Entrants will tell a story in their own words; using an informal storytelling style. Stories may be original or a re-telling of a folktale, fairy tale, myth, legend, or story. Time limit: 4 minutes.

17. STORY READING: Entrants will read a story or selection from a book of their own choice. The selection should be age appropriate, include some character dialogue and be learned, but not memorized. Selections may be taken from a novel but must be edited to fit the time limit. Adjudication will be based on the entrant’s vocal skill and quality of presentation. Periodic eye contact with the audience is encouraged. No acting. Time limit:  4 minutes.

18. ORIGINAL WORKS: Entrants will perform 1 or 2 selections of their own original work. Poems should be performed from memory; stories may be read.  Performances will be adjudicated on vocal skills, quality of presentation, and suitability of presentation style for the “target” audience of the particular story.   Time limit:  5 minutes.   

19. THESPYS (CONTRASTING MONOLOGUES): A student performs 2 short monologues from published plays. Lines of other characters may be deleted, with the solo performed as if part of the whole play. No costumes are allowed but the dress should be theatre blacks, and the only prop to be used is a single chair with any other props to be mimed.  Scenes may contrast in mood, or character, timeframe, etc.  Adjudication is based on the student’s ability to create a believable character, handle transitions into and out of character, and integration of voice, body and staging.  The student introduces both monologues at the start, with the name of the play and author, (role is optional) before starting the two monologues which need to be performed in under 3 minutes total for both.  (Longer versions of these monologues can be performed separately in the festival as a “Dramatic Scene Solo” or “Shakespeare Solo” with costumes and props.   Time limit:  3 minutes.

PROVINCIAL CLASSES # 20-21:

Entrants can be recommended to the Performing Arts BC Provincial Festival in either the Provincial Class-Solo or the Provincial Public Speaking and Storytelling Class. Entrants may enter both Provincial level classes at our festival but can only be recommended for one of these two Provincial classes.

Merited Participants may also be recommended to attend the Performing Arts BC Festival by our adjudicator. Merited Participants are entrants who show promise in their performances and attend as an opportunity to further develop their skills. Merited Participants can observe competitor performances, participate in workshops, and perform in one of the Future Stars concerts where they will receive a written adjudication. 

**NEW - TOTAL TIMES: All times for all Provincial Solo classes are total times on stage and will start with the first word of the first introduction, time between works, time for applause, further introductions and any costume additions needed. In the Provincial Public Speaking and Storytelling classes all times are maximum times.

**It is the responsibility of each entrant to read and comply with all rules governing the Performing Arts BC Festival that may affect performances at our festival.**

20. PROVINCIAL CLASS-SOLO: Entrants will be considered for recommendation to the Performing Arts BC Festival as competitors.

**Competitors residing outside of the boundaries of School Districts 57 and 91 may only be given consideration to represent The Prince George Speech Arts & Drama Festival as a Provincial Delegate, Alternate or Merited Participant if there are no qualifying Competitors who reside inside the boundaries of School Districts 57 and 91**.

Junior and Intermediate level competitors will perform a series of three selections: one each of Poetry, Prose, and Dramatic Scene CONSECUTIVELY, RECITAL STYLE, IN ANY ORDER.

Senior level competitors require the additional performance of a sonnet as part of their selections. A theme is required for the selections. The theme must be clearly stated as well as the theme’s connection to each of the selections. Selections may be performed CONSECUTIVELY, RECITAL STYLE, IN ANY ORDER.

NOTE: The entrant’s selections should be chosen to demonstrate versatility and fit within age category time limits. Additions of simple costume pieces may be added for the Drama section, but set-up and/or costume changes MUST be handled by the entrant only and without leaving the performance space. Costumes may be worn throughout the three performances to allow for smoother transitions between selections. Costume changes should be kept to an absolute minimum such as adding a scarf or picking up a book.

20J. Junior (11 - 13 years) - Time limit 15 minutes

20I. Intermediate (14 – 17 years) - Time limit 17 minutes

20S. Senior (22 years and under) - Time limit 20 minutes  

21. PROVINCIAL CLASS PUBLIC SPEAKING AND STORYTELLING

Entrants wishing to be considered for Provincial Competition must enter this class. All levels Junior, Intermediate and Senior will perform one selection of original Public Speaking and one selection of Storytelling CONSECUTIVELY, RECITAL STYLE, IN ANY ORDER. 

21J. Junior Public Speaking and Storytelling (Age: 11-13 years) - Time Limit: 12 minutes

21I. Intermediate Public Speaking and Storytelling (Age: 17 years and under) – Time Limit 14 minutes 

21S. Senior Public Speaking and Storytelling (Age: 22 years and under) – Time Limit 16 minutes 

NOTE: The Provincial Public Speaking and Storytelling class selections MUST be the original work of the entrants or an adaptation in the case of the Storytelling selection. Prepared outlines must be submitted to the adjudicator’s secretary, in the order in which they will be performed. Outlines MUST be labeled with the name, class and selection title. The Public Speaking selection outline MUST include: • Purpose • Central Idea • Intended Audience • Introduction • Body • Conclusion. The Storytelling selection MUST include a very brief plot outline indicating the key events that comprised the story. The selections can be performed consecutively, but in either order. These selections are not to be memorized but must be delivered in the competitor’s own words.

***END OF PROVINCIALS CLASSES***

GROUP CLASSES:

22. POEMS FOR 2 to 4 VOICES: One selection arranged for and recited by 2 - 4 entrants. Poems that are conversations, dialogues or that have two distinct moods work well. Simple movements and costuming may be included.   Time limit: 3 minutes.

23. CHORAL SPEAKING: A group of 5 to 30 voices performing primarily in unison or as two groups within the larger group. This is a group interpretation of poetry, verse or prose. Movement should be limited to gestures that can be performed in place; entrants should not move around on the stage. A leader may conduct the group but should not participate verbally. Lines must be memorized. One selection only.  Time limit: 4 minutes.

24. CHORIC DRAMA GROUP: A dramatic presentation by 3 to 30 entrants in which the     chorus plays a major role in the action, either as a commentator or to advance the narrative. The chorus may play in unison or have solo voices in combination. Props/costume/movement are permitted. Lines must be memorized. Teachers cannot offer direction during performance.  One selection only.   Time Limit: 5 minutes.

25. DRAMATIC SCENE GROUP:   Dramatic Scene for 3 to 10 entrants. Selection should be a play, a portion of a play or a dramatization of a story. Lines must be memorized. If used, costumes and props should be kept simple. Teachers cannot offer direction during performance. One selection only.   Time limit: 1 minute (max) Introduction, 12 minutes, Performance

26.  SHAKESPEARE GROUP: A scene for 3 to 10 entrants from any play by William Shakespeare. The scene should be presented as if part of the whole play. Scenes may be edited or combined as long as Shakespeare’s words are used. Costumes and props should be kept simple. Teachers cannot offer direction during performance.  Time limit:  1 minute (max) Introduction, 10 minutes, Performance

27. SHAKESPEARE DUO: A scene for 2 entrants from any play by William Shakespeare. The scene should be presented as if part of the whole play. Scenes may be edited or combined as long as Shakespeare’s words are used.  Costumes and props should be kept simple.  Time limit: 10 minutes, including introduction.

28. READERS’ THEATRE: A group of not more than 12 entrants are required to present a play or story in the Readers’ Theatre style; holding scripts, which may be read from, used as props, etc. Some movement is permissible, but the emphasis should be on the voice.  Simple costumes are permissible. Teachers cannot offer direction during performance.  Time limit: 10 minutes, including set-up.

29. DRAMATIC DUOLOGUE: A dramatic scene for 2 entrants from any play or published source. May be adapted from a story. Scenes should be staged as if taken from a complete performance.  Simple costumes and props may be used. One selection only. Time limit:  10 minutes.

***end of classes***

Questions? Please contact us at pg.speech.arts.drama@gmail.com

Prince George Speech Arts and Drama Festival 

Festival Society $150 Scholarship

• The applicant must be graduating from Grade 12, or turning 18 years old in the year applied.

• The applicant will have participated in The Prince George Speech Arts & Drama Festival for a minimum of 3 years (non-consecutive years is acceptable)

The Applicant will submit a copy of this Application Form and engaging video answering the following questions to the Prince George Speech Arts & Drama Festival Society’s Board of Directors to pg.speech.arts.drama@gmail.com by May 6, 2023. 

Name_________________________________ Birthdate______________

Mailing Address________________________________________________________

Phone _____________________

Email Address___________________________________________________

Parental Consent (for video submission)

Parents Name:

Signature________________________________________________

1. How long have you participated in Speech Arts & Drama? How did you get started?

2. How has Speech Arts & Drama impacted your life?

3. What has made you want to continue in Speech Arts & Drama?

4. In what way(s), has your Speech Arts & Drama experience helped you serve the community at large?

5. Tell us your BEST story related to Speech Arts & Drama. 

6. In your future endeavours, how will the lessons you have learned in Speech Arts will benefit you?

7. Have you taken any RCM Practical or Theory Exams? If yes, what levels have you achieved?

The Scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of the Prince George Speech Arts & Drama Festival Society’s current Board of Directors. (Board members related to a potential scholarship applicant will not be involved in any part of the scholarship recipient selection process).