Speech & Drama Syllabus 2022
Speech & Drama Syllabus 2022
Speech & Drama Syllabus 2022
presents the
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Speech and Drama Festival 2022
Dear candidates, teachers and parents. Welcome to the 2022 edition of the National Institute
of Allied Arts Speech and Drama Festival!
We are so happy to be back this year and to be able to return to in person performances for
the first time in two years! We are truly looking forward to seeing your faces live on stage
again which is what traditional theatre is meant to be.
We will start off with a trip we haven’t done in two years to MCC for the Gweru part of the
festival and then come back to Harare for the remainder of the festival.
Now for some admin. Please take a careful look through the syllabus as there are some
minor changes to it and also as usual make a note of time/word count limits as there will be
penalties.
Thank you to our sponsors CABS and Pharmaceutical and Chemical Distributors (PVT LTD)
for helping us make this year’s festival a success. Also a huge thank you to our venues
Midlands Christian College, Prince Edward High School and Reps Theatre for
accommodating us.
Lastly, thank you students, teachers and parents for continuing to support us and the arts
because without you, none of this would be possible.
See you at the Festival!
Musa Saruro
Festival Director
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RULES OF THE FESTIVAL
Please read these rules carefully to avoid disappointment.
THE ADJUDICATOR
(a) The Adjudicator’s decision is final and not open for discussion under any circumstance.
(b) No private pupil, relative or employee of the Adjudicator shall enter a section of which the
Adjudicator is in charge, except where:
(i) the candidate is a member of a choir;
(ii) a panel of judges is in operation;
(iii) more than three years have elapsed since regular tuition was received.
CLASSES
(a) All classes are for amateurs only.
(b) In duo classes the names of both candidates should be given. Once entries are submitted, no
substitutes are allowed except in exceptional circumstances and then only with the express
approval of the Executive Committee.
(c) If classes are too large, eliminations may be held before the start of the Festival.
(d) Time / word limits and class specific rules must be strictly adhered to otherwise the
candidate may be disqualified or awarded a lower grade.
(e) Fees are not refundable in the event of non-attendance.
SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES
(a) All entries must be submitted in writing on the correct Entry Form with all the information
required by the prescribed closing date and with the stipulated fee. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL
BE ACCEPTED.
(b) Entry Forms:
- Only emailed excel entry forms (see attached) will be accepted.
- Please enter in class order
- Please make sure duos are bracketed together
(c) All entrants will receive a ballot card, stating the date and time of performance and a ballot
number indicating the order of appearance. These cards entitle the entrants ONLY to free
admission to the session in which they appear.
(d) Fees are per entry, regardless of the number of persons taking part.
(e) Entry fees are not refundable.
(f) Scheduling requests MUST be made at the time of entry submission. Whilst every effort is
made to accommodate candidates for specific dates and times for appearances, the Festival
may charge a fee for any changes requested after the schedule has been set. This also
applies to changes in classes after entry submission
(g) No candidate may repeat work he or she has used in any previous Festival.
(h) The Festival may publish or use any work submitted, copyright permitting. The writer(s) will be
fully credited and acknowledged.
(i) Numbers of entries per class varies. SEE INDIVIDUAL CLASS RULES.
(j) A candidate may not enter more than EIGHT classes excluding choral speaking and group
poetry
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(k) No candidate may enter the same class twice with the exception of Group Poetry and Choral
Speaking Classes ONLY
(l) Please note that where a school has TWO entries in a Group Poetry or Choral Speaking
Class there must be AT LEAST a 50% change in performers between them.
N.B. A CANDIDATE MAY NOT ENTER MORE THAN EIGHT CLASSES EXCLUDING CHORAL
SPEAKING AND GROUP POETRY
DRESS CODE
(a) School uniform is expected in ALL classes except those in which costume or theatrical black
and white is required eg Shakespeare, mime, plays
(b) Candidates from Private Studios may wear school uniform OR black and white in classes
where there is no specific stipulation
COVID PROTOCOLS
(a) All candidates, teachers and parents MUST adhere to ALL COVID protocols as issued by the
NIAA in line with current Zimbabwean Statutory Instruments and Ministry of Health Guidelines
at the time of the Festival.
(b) Candidates not adhering to these may not be allowed to perform, and/or no social media
posts of any allowed performances will not be made.
(c) Non-performance due to non-compliance will not mean a refund of entry fees.
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(c) The following grade scheme will apply:
FEE STRUCTURE
Level Fee (USD)
A $10 Solo, Solo Recital, Duo
B $20 Group, Choral Speaking
Please remember our Festival involves candidates and audiences of all ages, backgrounds,
religions and cultures, so care should be taken in selecting material that will not cause
offence or is discriminatory in any way.
DEFINITIONS
JUNIORS ~ GRADE 4 TO 7
INTERMEDIATE ~ FORM 1 TO 4
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SPEECH
The ability to recite a published work clearly and from memory.
RULES
• All material must be from published works and must be in English.
• All material must be candidate’s own choice.
• All material should be age-appropriate. Work by Maya Angelou, William Wordsworth or any other
poet studied at high school level or higher may NOT be performed in ANY Junior Class.
• No Ken Nesbitt or Shel Silverstein may be performed by any candidate in Grade 6 or older
• Please note Shakespearean Sonnets are not permitted in any of these classes. Please enter the
Shakespeare Section.
• A legible copy of the text must be handed in to the Check-In Desk at registration.
• No costumes permitted.
• No Duo Poem candidate may enter Solo Poetry in the same festival.
• No Props permitted, except for Choral Speaking.
• A note on Spoken Word poetry found on the internet – it is essential that the candidate find
their OWN VOICE and interpret the poem for themselves and not copy or imitate the poet
or spoken word artist.
SONNET Level A
Classes 111- 112 maximum of THREE entries per school per class;
Classes 113 maximum of FIVE entries per school per class
N.B. Do not enter a Shakespearean Sonnet in Class 111-113
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GROUP POETRY Level B
• For 5 - 15 voices.
• Own choice of two contrasting pieces of poetry.
• Moderate movement ONLY is permitted
• Limited props, costumes, acting and mime permitted for Grades 1 – 4
• Teacher assistance with getting on and off stage and minimal direction during poems
allowed for Grades 1 – 2 only.
• Schools may not enter a Group Poetry Class AND corresponding Choral Speaking Class e.g.
Grade 3 Group Poetry AND Grade 3 Choral Speaking
• Classes 121 – 132 maximum of one entry per school per class
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PROSE Level A
• Extract from published book (not a play) to be spoken from memory.
• Moderate gestures allowed. Movement not permitted.
• Classes 160 – 164 Maximum of FIVE entries per school per class
RECITAL
• Candidates must present a recital based on a theme using at least three published works to
support their argument. They may use Poetry, Dramatised Poetry, Prose, Dialogue,
Storytelling, Play Extract or Speech.
Every recital must include an introduction and a conclusion.
• The discussion should form the primary basis of the recital.
• A copy of all the published pieces used must be handed in to the check in desk at registration.
• Candidates may read their published pieces but their discussion must be recited from memory
• The pieces can be recited in any order and the examiner may not interrupt the programme.
Candidates must then be prepared to answer questions put to them by the adjudicator on the
following:
• The reasons behind their choice of repertoire or theme.
• The reasons behind their choice of staging.
• Explain their selection of published work i.e. why those pieces appealed to them.
• Candidates must be able to support their argument.
The themes for Recital Classes 171 – 173 for 2020 are as follows:
a) Stephen Chifunyise
b) Rain
c) Green
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DRAMA
The ability to convey a story, from a published work, through the art of acting.
RULES
• Acting is compulsory.
• Costumes and props should be used.
• A legible copy of the script must be handed in to the Check-In Desk at registration.
• Please ensure that all pieces are age and audience appropriate.
• Performances must be from published works. Scripts downloaded from the internet must be
checked and verified for legitimacy and accuracy. Extra care must be taken with these scripts to
ensure high quality.
• A short synopsis of the background to the piece must be handed to the announcer back stage
at the commencement of the class. This will assist with setting the piece.
• Set up and preparation time must be limited to under three minutes prior to performance.
MONOLOGUE Level A
Classes 301 – 303 Maximum of FIVE entries per school per class
DUOLOGUE Level C
Classes 311 – 313 Maximum of FIVE entries per school per class
The NIAA extends very sincere thanks to our special partners in 2022:
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SHAKESPEARE
Shakespearean Sonnet: The ability to make Shakespeare’s poetry come alive through the art of
clear recital.
Shakespearean Monologue, Duologue Or Dramatic Excerpt: The ability to make Shakespeare’s work
come alive through the art of acting.
RULES
• Acting compulsory in Monologues, Duologues and Excerpts.
• Black or white clothing MUST be worn for ALL classes. No Elizabethan-style clothing.
• Sonnets are not permitted in the Monologue or Duologue classes.
• A legible copy of the script must be handed in to the Check-In Desk at registration.
• A short synopsis of the background to the piece for classes 411 – 431 must be handed to the
announcer back stage at the commencement of the class.
• Set up and preparation time must be limited to under three minutes prior to performance.
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ORIGINAL WORK
The ability to write creative, new and challenging work with the intention of performance.
RULES
• Copies of all original work scripts must be submitted to the office by Wednesday 15th June,
• N.B. No changes may be made to the script after submission.
• A strong script is necessary for a good performance. Candidates and teacher should ensure that
the script is of a high enough standard before beginning to work on the performance.
• All original work may be published by the Festival.
The themes for Experimental Programme Classes 530 – 533 for 2019 are as follows:
a) Flood
b) Influence
c) Yes!
RULES
• Candidates must create and perform a presentation based on the key words.
• Acting is compulsory and costumes and props should be used.
• Work may be original or include published or unpublished pieces.
• A short synopsis of the background to the piece must be handed to the announcer back stage at
the commencement of the class.
• The essential ingredients are imagination and creativity, which should be used freely in
presentation.
• The use of original ideas and of different disciplines including Poetry, Mime, and Dance is
encouraged. Presentations should include elements of Design, Symphony, Story, Meaning
and Playfulness.
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PREPARED TV NEWS READING
• Unpublished Original work only to be written and performed by the entrant..
• Well-practised and polished reading of varied news items is required.
• Candidate should be seated at a news desk, unless the reading requires standing.
• Candidate should indicate whether reading is of a serious or comical nature on the entry form.
Comical News Reading requires clear characters to be established. The acting of these
characters will be graded based on believability and acting. Grading will include the comical
timing, cleverness of the writing, appropriate use of props and costumes, media and other
devices.
Serious News Reading requires a formal setting and should echo the styles currently
presented by reputable news media channels, like AlJeezera or Sky News. The
characterisation should emphasise the believability of the news and the reality of the setting.
• Exact timing is very important.
It is important not to use pre rehearsed ideas or re-do an idea that worked in preparation rehearsals.
Trust your creativity as the original ideas are always the best the first time they are performed.
RULES
• The performance of pre-rehearsed work will be disqualified, but students are encouraged
to practise improvising styles to understand what works best.
• Black or white clothing must be worn. No shoes, socks or stockings.
• Benches, chairs and tables only may be used. NO other props are permitted. Mime should be
used
• Acting, movement and use of space are essential. Speech MAY be used where appropriate.
• Time limits to be strictly adhered to. A bell will be rung when the minimum time is reached
and again when the maximum time is reached.
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AWARDS
MARGARET GRACE POETRY CUP Best Item of Junior Poetry
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