NEW MEMBER AUDITION MATERIALS

Transcription

1 TIGER SPEECH TEAM Our Mission: To be a classy team committed to having fun and striving for excellence. NEW MEMBER AUDITION MATERIALS DEAR AUDITIONEE: Thank you for picking up these materials and considering an audition for our team. The Tiger Speech Team is made up of many types of speakers and performers, coming from different backgrounds - athletes, student leaders, academics, dancers, actors, musicians - the works. So, there is a place for you! Your job in your audition is to show off your talents! Remember, no experience is necessary! Remember to turn-in at your audition: Application Rate Yourself! Sheet Signed Tournament Contract Your audition will take place sometime during November in room A252. Sign-up for a 5-minute audition time near Mr. Purrington s room, A252.

2 Public Address Categories: Speech Category Descriptions Which category best fits your talents? Great Speeches: The contestant delivers an important historical speech. The contestant must also justify the greatness of the speech and include information about the speaker, subject, original audience, and occasion. Research is required. 10 minutes. You re a good fit for this category if you are a: solid writer, passionate and persuasive speaker, person who likes learning about important people/moments in history. Original Oratory: The contestant delivers a persuasive speech of his or her own writing. Usually, the topic is one of universal appeal and not overly controversial. Research and revising is required. Judges consider thought, argumentation, writing ability, and delivery. 10 minutes. You re a good fit for this category if you are a: very strong writer, passionate and persuasive speaker, intellectual thinker. Extemporaneous Speaking: This is a category in which the speech will be on timely news dealing with international social, economic, and political issues. The student will draw a topic 30 minutes before speaking and use news magazines and newspapers as sources. The student will be judged on adherence to the question, well-chosen information, organization of material, and delivery. A note card is permitted. Research and up to date knowledge of news is required. 7 minutes. You re a good fit for this category if you are a: self-motivated worker, intellectual thinker, currentevents fan, strong researcher. Discussion: The contestant participates in small group problem solving. The topic is known ahead of time and the student is judged on his/her contributions to the group effort, knowledge of the topic, and skill relating to the group. Research required. You re a good fit for this category if you are a: frequent participant in class discussions, strong researcher, an opinionated person. Informative: This should be an original, factual speech on a subject of interest to a general audience. The purpose should be to inform. Quality of thought, writing, organization, and delivery will be considered by judges. Research is required. The use of visual aids is expected. 10 minutes. You re a good fit for this category if you are: a solid writer, a friendly speaker, one who enjoys making visual aids, a good researcher.

3 Interpretation Categories Serious Prose: This may consist of any published scene from a short story or novel. The mood must be essentially serious. The student is judged on his or her ability to convey serious meaning through vocal and bodily expression. 10 minutes. You re a good fit for this category if you are a: good literature analyzer, actor. Serious Drama: This must consist of a selection taken from a serious play. The mood must be essentially serious. The student is judged on his or her ability to convey serious meaning through vocal and bodily expression. 10 minutes. You re a good fit for this category if you are a: good literature analyzer, actor. Serious Poetry: This may consist of any published poetry with a serious mood. A collection of poems may be used. The student is judged on ability to convey meaning through vocal and facial expression. 10 minutes. You re a good fit for this category if you are a: very strong literature analyzer, poetry lover. Humorous: This may consist of any published selection of prose, poetry, or drama that is humorous. The contestant is expected to be out-going, expressive, charismatic, creative, and comfortable taking vocal and physical risks in front of an audience. Comfort with exaggerated voices, facial expressions, and, bodily movement in front of an audience is essential. 10 minutes. You re a good fit for this category if you are an: actor, on-stage risk-taker, creative, big, charismatic personality. Extemporaneous Reading: The speaker presents excerpts from an assigned book. This season s novel is THE BOOK THIEF. The student will draw three excerpts from this book and choose one 30 minutes before the round. From there, the student prepares an introduction and practices the reading. Judging is based on the student s ability to introduce the story and to read with effective vocal and facial expression. Book must be used but short introduction must be memorized. 7 minutes. You re a good fit for this category if you are a: very strong literature analyzer, strong out-loud reader. Storytelling: The speaker will prepare stories from an assigned book. The contestant shall draw three titles, choose one and prepare the story 30 minutes before speaking. The speaker must maintain the author s mood and format but does not need to be delivered word for word by the contestant. Emphasis is on creativity, exaggerated voices and facial expressions, and physical involvement. 7 minutes. You re a good fit for this category if you are an: actor, on-stage risk taker, creative and charismatic personality. Creative Expression: The contestant writes his/her own material intended to entertain and provoke thought among the audience. The mood may be serious or humorous or a combination of both. Judge will consider creative imagination and cleverness of the content. 10 minutes. You re a good fit for this category if you are a: funny, creative personality that loves to write, on-stage risk taker. Duo Interpretation: This category features two speakers interpreting literature together. The content may be serious or humorous. Ability for both students to be effective on-stage actors is expected. 10 minutes. You re a good fit for this category if you are an: actor, good fit with another auditionee or current team member

4 AUDITIONS! Prepare All FOUR audition areas below. We do not require you to be memorized (although it wouldn t hurt). Being very familiar with the material will give us a better idea of what you can do. Anybody can just get up and read we want you to show off YOUR TALENTS! 1. THE FUNNY STUFF (Possible Categories: Humorous, Duo, Storytelling, Creative Expression) This is a spoof on how the media gives too much attention to crime. In the story, Manny, a talent agent, tries to make big money by trying to turn a mild-mannered burglar into a famous criminal. Bring the characters to life and make them different physically and vocally. If you are uncomfortable making energetic and fun vocal distinctions between these two characters, that s fine, but we will NOT consider you for Humorous. Lonnie: (to Manny) I don t know, I m just not cut out for crime. Maybe I oughtta just give it up. Manny: Take my advice kid. There s bucks in this business. Lonnie: You really think I could be a star criminal? I feel ridiculous in this skeleton costume carrying a trick-or-treat bag. Manny: Put your mask on. Flap your arms. Do something freaky. Now, do your thing. I m the guy in the house. Lonnie: Manny, please. Manny: C mon, c mon, I m the guy. You ring the doorbell, and I answer it. Lonnie: Ding dong. Manny: Okay, I open the door, and it s pitch black outside, and nobody s there! Oooooh, I got chills already! Then suddenly you jump out, and you say--- Lonnie: Trick or treat you pig. Manny: And I say Oh my gosh, it s him! It s that hot new psychopath killer! And you take your gun out of your bag and you blast me! Lonnie: You really think I can be in Newsweek for this? Manny: Newsweek, Time, People, Us, We, They, Them, and It! Heck, you d probably make the cover of Highlights for Children. 2. THE SMART STUFF (Possible Categories: Original Oratory, Informative, Discussion, Extemporaneous Speaking, Great Speeches) Below is an excerpt from an Original Oratory about our sleep deprived society. Use your most convincing, persuasive voice and sell these ideas to us. Don t be afraid to bring out the humor too! We all remember when we were in kindergarten and we refused to lie down and take a nap. We would stall. We would plead. We would do anything to avoid that dreaded nap. What were we thinking? I mean really, today I m thinking why can t my school offer a class called nap time? Now that s a class worth getting up for! But seriously, it s easy to see that most of us are tired these days, and it s no wonder why -- we re sleep deprived. In fact, The National Sleep Foundation found that only 15% of us are getting sleep we need. Russell Foster, a professor of neuroscience, reveals that in the 1950s, most of us were getting around eight hours of sleep a night. Nowadays we only get about six. There s little doubt -- we are all too tired.

5 3. THE SERIOUS STUFF (Possible Categories: Drama, Prose, Duo, Extemporaneous Reading, Poetry) FEMALES ONLY: This is from a story about a young woman who is grieving over the death of her baby son, Caleb. The key to this material is internalization or really feeling the character addressing us. Be sensitive and thoughtful with your choices so we can understand and feel her struggle. Don t look, I told myself. If I look down at the crib, it will be empty. Don t look. But, I couldn t help myself. I leaned and. looked. and there was Caleb, his eyes bright, his skin pink, cheeks and legs and arms all plump. My baby. Caleb, I whispered, lifting him into my arms. My baby. My boy. Shh.Shh, I m here. At the moment, I was both inside of the dream and outside of it and I could see everything, could feel everything - the weight of the baby in my arms. In my dream, in my arms, my baby opened his eyes and smiled. But then, beside me, I felt my husband, his breath gentle against my cheek and at that moment, I knew my arms were empty once again. MALES ONLY: This is a story about a young man who telling us the story of how he was first diagnosed with cancer. The key to this material is internalization or really feeling the character addressing us. Be sensitive and thoughtful with your choices so we can understand and feel his struggle. For the last few years I had been seeing Dr. Jenner every six months. As he d examine me, he d uh huh, uh huh, yep like usual and send me on my way. But, it was a Wednesday night when I felt him touch the back of my neck. How long s that been there? he said. I didn t know what he was talking about. He touched it again. That, he said in a voice I had never heard before. He looked longer and harder at whatever was on my back then he ever had before. I kept waiting for him to say uh huh, uh huh, yep but he didn t. He just said Let s get that out. When he was through, I asked him what he thought it was and he said he thought it was a melanoma. He started to describe all of the new treatments and I listened without hearing and I asked him how long I had to live. He said, at best, I had six months. 4. THE WRITE STUFF (Possible Categories: Original Oratory, Informative, Great Speeches, Creative Expression, Extemp Speaking) Write a strong 7-8 sentence paragraph about an aspect of the weather. Research any aspect of the weather and inform us on something(s) we may not already know. Be sure to cite at least one source. This will show us your potential for research and writing. Or If you prefer, you can bring in a piece of your writing that you ve done for a class. If you do this, you do NOT need to write the weather paragraph.

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7 Tiger Speech Team New Member Application Turn this in at your audition! Name: Grade: Home Address: Your Cell Phone: Locker#: Attach recent photo here. Any two current teachers and grades in each class: Parents Names: Parents Parents Phone: 1. Why do you want to be a part of the Tiger Speech Team? 2. In looking at the tournament contract, what school, work, or other conflicts do you have with the Speech season? 3. Remember, no experience is necessary to be in Speech! But, if you do have experience, we d like to know what it is. What speaking and performance experience do you have? (theatre, middle school speech or theatre, dance, solos in choir, church singing or speaking, piano recitals, 4-H speaking, etc.) It s ok to put none here.

8 4. Please rank your TOP 6 CATEGORY CHOICES 1-.6 You may put 1 NO next to a category you feel you would not be successful in or would not enjoy. For more info about each category, please see the category descriptions in this packet. Creative Expression Discussion Duo Interpretation w/partner (if you know of someone) Extemporaneous Reading Extemporaneous Speaking Great Speeches Humorous Interpretation Informative Speaking Original Oratory Serious Drama Interpretation Serious Prose Interpretation Serious Poetry Interpretation Storytelling 5. Please explain your #1 and #2 ranks. What is it about these two categories that interested you? Why do you think they are a good fit for you? 6. Please explain why you put NO next to the category you did above. 7. Are you willing to compete in any category the coaches believe you could be successful in? Yes or No. Explain your answer please. 8. If we feel we need more information about you as we make final decisions about your category placement, who is one teacher here at MHS you feel could speak to your talents and work ethic? What do you think this teacher would say about you? 9. Please use the space below for any final comments or information you d like to share with the coaches.

9 Name Grade: 2017 Tiger Speech Team ~ Contract Turn this in at your audition! In order to plan ahead for buses, lodging, entry fees, judges, etc. Mr. Purrington needs a commitment from all team members for each tournament. We expect all team members to attend all tournaments but exceptions can be made. Yes, I am able to attend. Or No, I am unable. If unable to attend, what is the conflict you have? Date Nov 22 Tournament or Other Important Event Kickoff Team Meeting at MHS 3:15pm Nov 29 Parent Meeting at MHS 6:30-7:30 Dec 3 Jan 14 Jan 21 Jan Feb 4 Feb 11 Feb 18 Feb 25 Mar 3 Mar 4 Mar Mar 16 Mar 18 April 8 April Team Workshop at MHS 9-noon Mock Tournament at MHS Chanhassen Marshall Speech Spectacular Prior Lake Pipestone Eastview Chaska Speech Spotlight at MHS Shakopee Eagan (overnight, playoff team only) Big South Conference at New Ulm (playoff team only) SMSU (playoff team only) Section 2AA State Qualifiers at Chanhassen (playoff team only) JUNIORS - DO NOT TAKE THE ACT THIS DAY! State Speech at Apple Valley (qualifiers only) I understand that I have committed to the dates indicated above. If I miss the bus or am absent from a tournament without adequate notification I will be required to reimburse MHS $20 to cover the cost of my transportation, entry fee, and judge. If circumstances arise that prevent me from competing on a date I have committed to, I understand that it is crucial to contact Mr. Purrington as soon as possible. Advanced notice will, in most cases, help avoid the $20 reimbursement charge. Signed Student s signature Signed Parent/Guardian signature Mr. Purrington s Contact Info: Rick.Purrington@marshall.k12.mn.us cell phone:

10 Name Grade: Turn this in at your audition! RATE YOURSELF! Put a number in each of the boxes by rating the PERSONALITY CATEGORIES in your own opinion. CLASS Not me at all Somewhat me Describes me perfectly CLOWN You re very charismatic and out-going, love being the center of attention in front of groups and you re very willing to take goofy risks in front of people you don t know, you are comfortable doing funny faces and crazy voices like accents and lisps in front of a crowd, you have acting experience. (Possible Categories: Humor, Duo, Storytelling, Creative Expression) DRAMATIST You could be a serious actor, you can make a character come to life in a believable way, you enjoy reading plays and other literature out loud in class. (Possible Categories: Serious Drama, Serious Prose, Duo, Extemporaneous Reading, Serious Poetry) CRITIC You re opinionated, you re vocal about how things are run in this society, you have opinions about current events, you re a good student and get good grades. (Possible Categories: Original Oratory, Discussion, Extemporaneous Speaking, Great Speeches) NEWSHOUND You re up on current events, you enjoy discussing things that are going on in the world, you would enjoy learning even more about current events. (Possible Categories: Discussion, Extemporaneous Speaking) BUSINESSPERSON You re more formal and traditional, more conservative in front of groups, you have a professional presence but you usually feel uncomfortable being goofy or taking risks in front of a group, you re a good student and get good grades, writing comes pretty easy for you. (Possible Categories: Informative, Great Speeches, Original Oratory, Discussion) STORYTELLER You never quite grew up, you love reading children s stories just so you can do all of the goofy voices the old kings, the magical frogs, the evil witches, the talking mirrors, you are very comfortable taking crazy risks in front of a group. (Possible Categories: Storytelling, Humorous, Creative Expression, Duo)

11 Name Grade: 2017 Tiger Speech Team ~ Contract Keep this copy! In order to plan ahead for buses, lodging, entry fees, judges, etc. Mr. Purrington needs a commitment from all team members for each tournament. We expect all team members to attend all tournaments but exceptions can be made. Yes, I am able to attend. Or No, I am unable. If unable to attend, what is the conflict you have? Date Nov 22 Tournament or Other Important Event Kickoff Team Meeting at MHS 3:15pm Nov 29 Parent Meeting at MHS 6:30-7:30 Dec 3 Jan 14 Jan 21 Jan Feb 4 Feb 11 Feb 18 Feb 25 Mar 3 Mar 4 Mar Mar 16 Mar 18 April 8 April Team Workshop at MHS 9-noon Mock Tournament at MHS Chanhassen Marshall Speech Spectacular Prior Lake Pipestone Eastview Chaska Speech Spotlight at MHS Shakopee Eagan (overnight, playoff team only) Big South Conference at New Ulm (playoff team only) SMSU (playoff team only) Section 2AA State Qualifiers at Chanhassen (playoff team only) JUNIORS - DO NOT TAKE THE ACT THIS DAY! State Speech at Apple Valley (qualifiers only) I understand that I have committed to the dates indicated above. If I miss the bus or am absent from a tournament without adequate notification I will be required to reimburse MHS $20 to cover the cost of my transportation, entry fee, and judge. If circumstances arise that prevent me from competing on a date I have committed to, I understand that it is crucial to contact Mr. Purrington as soon as possible. Advanced notice will, in most cases, help avoid the $20 reimbursement charge. Signed Student s signature Signed Parent/Guardian signature Mr. Purrington s Contact Info: Rick.Purrington@marshall.k12.mn.us cell phone: