Events
The district and region contests and the State Festival shall be divided into seven contest events. With the exception of Non-Original Oratory and Readers Theatre, all selections used shall be secured from copyrighted, printed published sources (i.e., books or magazines) and shall be accessible to the public in print form. The use of a manuscript is required in all contest events.  Electronically published materials may not be used in SDHSAA interp contests. The time limit for each presentation shall be ten minutes.
Non-Original Oratory This contest event shall include selections such as orations, addresses, lectures and essays that are conducive to oratorical interpretation.  The Non-Original Oration can be serious, humorous or a mixture of serious and humorous sentiments. Selections shall not be the original work of the contestant.
Interpretation of Serious Plays This contest event consists of interpreting a selection of dramatic literature (plays), with literary merit and appropriate to the reader.  The mood of the selection must be essentially serious in nature.
Interpretation of Serious Prose This contest event consists of interpreting a selection of prose with literary merit and appropriate to the reader. Any selection that is not poetry, a play or cutting from a play or a delivered speech will be considered prose.  The mood of the selection must be essentially serious.
Poetry Reading Literature for the poetry contest event shall be selected by the contestants. They shall choose poetry to develop one theme or to illustrate the abilities, moods or characteristics of one author. If they choose to develop a theme, the contestants may select the works of one or more authors. In any case, the poetry may be one long selection, a cutting from a longer selection, or a series of short selections. The contestants may include in their presentation such introductory or transitory remarks as are necessary to establish mood and to orient the audience properly. Only poetry from the best of literature should be used. This includes plays.
Humorous Reading Humorous prose shall include all stories, plays and essays written in prose, together with all plays written in verse.   Only the best literature and selections of literary value should be used since it offers the greatest opportunity for interpretation.
Duet Interpretation Duet Interpretation is an exercise composed of two students who portray cuttings from plays, verse plays or other works may be presented. A selection may be of humorous or serious nature. A narrated introduction or transitional material within the cutting may be given by one or both members. During the presentation of the introduction and/or original transitional material, eye contact may be made with the audience and/or duet partner. The contestants must remain standing at all times during the performance. The contestants may react to each other’s verbal and/or non-verbal expressions, but they may not touch each other. Pivoting, turning or one or two steps may be used to indicate stage directions or transitions. Throughout the selection, each of the two performers may play one or more characters, so long as performance responsibility remains balanced.
Readers Theatre Readers Theatre is an event in which a group of three to six students interpretively present literature. Readers Theatre encourages the students to create a scripted ensemble performance that focuses on the use of interpretative skills to present prose, poetry and/or drama without the aid of costumes, make-up, set or props although participants may dress in a uniform manner. Materials used may include prose, verse, drama, speeches, diaries, letters, essays, original compositions, etc. Performers may use either a uniform set of stools (between 24" and 30" high, having no back and unable to swivel) or a set of straight chairs.  Limited stage movement shall be allowed. Then narrator may move about and the compositional groupings may change. The performers may react to each other’s verbal and/or non-verbal expressions, but they may not touch each other. Only during the introduction may eye contact be made with the group members. Mechanical or instrumental sound effects are not allowed. However, vocally emitted noises and sound effects created by the performers are permissible.

Student Eligibility
Only students in grades 9 through 12 in high schools/junior high schools which are members of the SDHSAA are eligible to enter district/region contests or the State Festival. Contestants shall be selected by each school and the principal or superintendent shall sign the entry form to certify that each contestant from their school is eligible as stated in the Speech By-Laws. A school is allowed one entry per section. Students can enter a maximum of two sections of solo or duet contests.

Judging Criteria
Interpretation: Includes thought content, emotional content, characterization, creation of mood, and image.
Voice: Includes articulation, pronunciation, force, timing, quality, and pitch.
Bodily Action: Includes poise, posture, movement, facial expression, gesture, and coordination of thought and action.
Audience Contacts: Includes the kind and degree of communication, creating and holding interest and attention, and accomplishment of purpose.

State Festival Awards
Individual trophies will be awarded to all "solo" and "duet" contestants achieving a composite "superior" rating. Individual gold medals will be awarded to all Readers Theatre group members when the group achieves a composite "superior" rating. Class "A" and "B" Team Excellence Award" plaque will be awarded to all Class "A" and "B" schools receiving at least two "superiors". Class "AA" Team Excellence Award" plaque will be awarded to all Class "AA" schools receiving at least four "superiors."

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