DUDL Drama

Drama gives students the opportunity to select, interpret, and perform a piece of literature.

This literature can be humorous or dramatic in nature and may be entered as a single competitor entry or duo. Prose, Plays, and screenplays may be used in the Drama category. Poetry may not be entered in the Drama category. Literature in the Drama category and must be published* and cannot be self-authored.

Presentations may not use physical objects or costuming. Although gestures or pantomime may be used,
they should be used with restraint and the performance must begin and end from the center stage area
during the presentations, the contestant/team must name the author and the book or magazine from which the cutting was made.

Competitors must use the same piece for the entire tournament and may keep a piece all competition year. Students may use the same piece for the entire school year, or can change the
piece for each tournament. Students cannot reuse the same piece beyond one competition year. Material
does not have to be memorized, but memorization is encouraged.
Selection:
  • Is the material appropriate for the student?
  • Does the material meet the rules of the category?
  • Is there an emotional/intellectual understanding​ of the material?
Physical Presentation:
  • Eye contact - consistent, effective
  • Facial expressiveness/gestures - natural,​appropriate, expressive
  • Speaker presence - Confident, poised, energetic, polished, lackadaisical, comfortable with material
Interpretation:
  • Character development - strong, appropriate, consistent, interesting, multiple characters are distinguishable
  • Emotion - appropriate to character/selection,​ believable, intensity, tone
  • Transitions - fluid, explanatory
Introduction:
  • Effective, explanatory, attention-getting, sets​ mood/feeling
Vocal Elements:
  • Vocalization - Volume, emphasis, intensity, diction, inflection, mumbling, speed/pacing, expressiveness, projection, enunciation, pitch
  • Phrasing/pacing - Fluid, choppy, flowing, rhythmic, hesitant