Overture Awards Scholarship Competition

Theater Criteria

THEATER CRITERIA ____________________________________________________________________________

 

CATEGORIES:  Drama and Musical Theater

 

1. All criteria set forth on this page apply to the Regional, Semi-Final and Final Competitions unless otherwise noted.

 

2. Students should perform their best work and not choose works that are more difficult than their current level of proficiency to impress the judges.

 

3. You must select characters of an age that you can realistically portray.

 

4. No parents, teachers or coaches will be allowed in the competition area.

 

5. Performances will be primarily judged on, but not limited to, the following:

 

·         Individual talent, skill and potential

·         Stage presence

·         Projection

·         Articulation/Pronunciation

·         Interpretation and understanding of text, artistic expression

·         Physical movements and gestures

 

6. Prepared pieces must run no less than 1.5 minutes but no more than 5 minutes total.

 

7. For the Regional Competition, competitors will be stopped at 5 minutes.  At the Semi-Final and Final Competitions, competitors will not be stopped.  However, time is being kept and the judges will deduct overruns from the competitor’s score.

 

8. Competitors need not perform the same piece(s) they perform at Regionals if they advance to the Semi-Final and Final Competitions.

 

9. A chair and one table will be provided for use. Simple hand props are permitted if they are an integral part of the scene.  They must be provided by the competitor.

 

10. COSTUMES: Costumes are optional.  Blacks are appropriate at the Regional and Semi-Final Competitions.  Audition apparel should enhance the work performed.

 

11. DRAMA CATEGORY (does not apply to Musical Theater):  Competitor’s two selections must consist of one contemporary (20^th and 21^st century) and one classical (pre-1900) monologue.

 

12. MUSICAL THEATER CATEGORY (does not apply to Drama):

·         Competitor’s two selections will consist of one classical (pre-1900) monologue and one song from the musical theater repertoire.

·         Competitors must be accompanied by piano.   Students may use their own accompanist for all rounds of the competition.  If you do not have an accompanist, the Overture Awards will supply one for you if you indicate your need on your application and enclose a copy of your music clearly market for the accompanist.

·         In order to adhere to time limits, appropriate cuts in the song are acceptable and should be marked on the accompanist’s copy if you are using an Overture Awards accompanist.

·         Dancing will not be adjudicated. Blocking of your musical number, although not required, is strongly encouraged.