Serious Drama Interpretation

Are you a bit dramatic at times? A competitor in this category performs a selection of literature that is taken from a published play. The selection is serious and dramatic in nature. You will have the challenge of portraying the emotions of the characters in the play and making the play come alive for your audience.

Serious Drama

Official Rules - 2013

Serious Drama Interpretation uses any published selection of dramatic literature (plays, radio plays, television plays, or screenplays) with literary merit and appropriate to the reader. The term "dramatic" here refers to the genre of the literature and does not include prose or poetry that is serious. The mood of the cutting must be essentially serious.
A copy of the script must be filed with the Contest Manager before each contest. Updated copies of the script must be submitted at Subsection, Section, and State levels.
The student should be judged on ability to get and give meaning through the use of vocal and bodily expression. Poise, vocal and physical delivery, and appropriateness of the selection to the interpreter should be considered.
The use of a script is optional, provided it is not used as a prop.
THE MAXIMUM TIME OF PRESENTATION, INCLUDING THE REQUIRED INTRODUCTION, IS EIGHT (8) MINUTES. NO GRACE PERIOD IS PROVIDED IN THIS EVENT.

Complete speech rules and FAQs on rule interpretations can be found on the MSHSL website.

illustration by Milt Kahl