Under 12 years

158 Restricted Verse
Not having previously gained a 1st placing in Speech Competitions.
Own Selection. Entries must be by a published author.State titles and authors with entries. 

Action to be used sparingly.
Time Limit: 4 minutes

Under 5 years

149 Poem or Nursery Rhyme in Costume
Entries must be by a published author. State titles and authors with entries. 

Action to be used sparingly. 

Time Limit: 4 minutes. 

Under 8 years

150 Poem or Nursery Rhyme in Costume
Entries must be by a published author. State titles and authors with entries. 

Action to be used sparingly. 

Time Limit: 4 minutes.

151 Verse - Own Selection
Entries must be by a published author. State titles and authors with entries. 

Time Limit: 4 minutes. 

165 Prepared Prose Reading - Patrice Grace
Reading should include a brief introduction. Extract must be read from the book, not a photocopy.
Some words or phrases may be omitted in the selection being read, with suitable linking, but the text in the adjudicator's copy must be complete and unedited, with omissions highlighted.
Time limit: 2 minutes.

8 & under 10 years

152 Verse - Own Selection
Entries must be by a published author. State titles and authors with entries. 

Action to be used sparingly.
Time Limit: 4 minutes.  

153 Verse in Costume
Entries must be by a published author. State titles and authors with entries. 

Action to be used sparingly.
Time Limit: 4 minutes.   

154 Verse or Prose
Own selection. To be memorised and performed wearing an eye mask.
Entries must be by a published author. State titles and authors with entries.
Time Limit: 4 minutes. 

166 Prepared Prose Reading - Margaret Mahy
Reading should include a brief introduction. Extract must be read from the book, not a photocopy.
Note: Some words or phrases may be omitted in the selection being read, with suitable linking, but the text in the adjudicator's copy must be complete and unedited, with omissions highlighted.
Time limit: 2 minutes.

177 Prepared Mime 
No costume or properties. Chair/s may be used.
Title must be provided for the Stage Manager and Adjudicator on the day of the competition.
Time limit: 3 minutes.

180A Mime - Pairs
No costume or properties. Chair/s may be used.
Title must be provided for the Stage Manager and Adjudicator on the day of the competition.
Time limit: 3 minutes.

184 Character Recital 
Suitable for age of performer. Walk-on properties and costume permitted.
Time limit: 5 minutes.

10 & under 12 years

155 Verse or Prose  
Own selection. To be memorised and performed wearing an eye mask.
Entries must be by a published author. State titles and authors with entries.
Time Limit: 4 minutes. 

156 Verse - Own Selection
Own Selection. With music or sound effects. Entries must be by a published author. 

State titles and authors with entries. 

Time Limit: 4 minutes 

157 Verse or Prose
Own Selection. With music or sound effects. Entries must be by a published author.
State titles and authors with entries.
Time Limit: 4 minutes

162 NZ Verse  
By any NZ author. Works by NZ women qualify for Whangarei Speech Communication Association Trophy.

167 Prepared Prose Reading - Maurice Gee
Reading should include a brief introduction. Extract must be read from the book, not a photocopy.
Note: Some words or phrases may be omitted in the selection being read, with suitable linking, but the text in the adjudicator's copy must be complete and unedited, with omissions highlighted.
Time limit: 3 minutes.

174 Reading at Sight 
Passage selected by adjudicator.
Time limit: 4 minutes.

178 Prepared Mime  
No costume or properties. Chair/s may be used.
Title must be provided for the Stage Manager and Adjudicator on the day of the competition.
Time limit: 3 minutes.

178A Mime - Pairs
No costume or properties. Chair/s may be used.
Title must be provided for the Stage Manager and Adjudicator on the day of the competition.
Time limit: 3 minutes.

181 Improvisation - Individual
Speech subject given by adjudicator. Includes mime and spoken word.
Time Limit: 2 minutes.

183A Improvisation - Pairs
Speech subject given by adjudicator. Includes mime and spoken word.
Time limit: 2 minutes.

185 Character Recital  
Suitable for age of performer. Walk-on properties and costume permitted.
Time limit: 2 minutes. 

12 years & over

160 Narrative Verse 
Performance may be abridged, but a full marked script must be provided for the adjudicator.
Time limit: 4 minutes.

170 Bible Reading
A selection of approximately 10 to 20 verses. Copy to be supplied for adjudicator. Reading must be performed from an English version Bible. Selections to be stated on entry form.
Time limit: 4 minutes.

183B Improvisation - Pairs
Speech subject given by adjudicator. Includes mime and spoken word.
Time limit: 2 minutes.

183C Improvisation - Group
Group of 3 or more. Speech subject given by adjudicator. Includes mime and spoken word.
Time limit: 2 minutes

191 Conversation Class
Entrants and the Adjudicator, or a facilitator, will be seated on the stage and hold a discussion on a topic selected by the Adjudicator.
A verbal general report is given. Placings are at the discretion of the adjudicator. Speech, poise, fluency and the ability to communicate will be considered.
Time limit: 4 minutes

12 & under 15 years

159 Lyric Poetry  
A poem that expresses thoughts and feelings of the poet. The lyric poet addresses the reader directly, portraying his/her state of mind and perceptions.
Time limit: 4 minutes.

163 NZ Verse 
By any NZ author. Works by NZ women qualify for Whangarei Speech Communication Association Trophy.
Time limit: 4 minutes.

168 Prepared Prose Reading - Witi Ihimaera
Reading should include a brief introduction. Extract must be read from the book, not a photocopy.
Some words or phrases may be omitted in the selection being read, with suitable linking, but the text in the adjudicator's copy must be complete and unedited, with omissions highlighted.
Time limit: 3 minutes.

171A Humorous Verse or Prose
Time limit: 4 minutes.

175 Reading at Sight 
Passage selected by adjudicator.
Time limit: 4 minutes.

179 Prepared Mime 
No costume or properties. Chair/s may be used.
Title must be provided for the Stage Manager and Adjudicator on the day of the competition.
Time limit: 3 minutes.

182 Improvisation - Individual
Speech subject given by adjudicator. Includes mime and spoken word.
Time limit 2 minutes.

186 Character Recital 
Suitable for age of performer. Walk-on properties and costume permitted.
Time limit: 5 minutes.

188 Prepared Talk
Own selection. Visual aids may be used.
Time limit: 4 minutes.

15 years & over

161 One Sonnet
By any author 

Time limit: 4 minutes. 

164 NZ Verse
By any NZ author. Works by NZ women qualify for Whangarei Speech Communication Association Trophy.
Time limit: 4 minutes.  

169 Prepared Prose Reading - Janet Frame
Reading should include a brief introduction. Extract must be read from the book, not a photocopy.
Some words or phrases may be omitted in the selection being read, with suitable linking, but the text in the adjudicator's copy must be complete and unedited, with omissions highlighted.
Time limit: 3 minutes.

172 Humorous Verse or Prose
Time limit: 4 minutes.  

173  Reading from Dickens
Passage may include one or more characters. To be presented as written. No costume, make-up, or properties.
Time limits: 6 minutes.

176 Reading at Sight
Passage selected by adjudicator.
Time limit: 4 minutes. 

180 Prepared Mime 
No costume or properties. Chair/s may be used. 
Title must be provided for the Stage Manager and Adjudicator on the day of the competition.
Time limit: 3 minutes.

183 Improvisation - Individual
Speech subject given by adjudicator. Includes mime and spoken word.
Time limit: 2 minutes.

186A Character Recital
Suitable for age of performer. Walk-on properties and costume permitted. 
Time limit: 5 minutes.

187 Extract from Shakespeare
One character to be full acted in costume with makeup. The effective simplicity of costume and properties will be taken into account.
Time limit: 6 minutes.

189 Prepared Speech - Own Selection
Speech on topic selected be the Adjudicator. 

Time limit: 2 minutes (plus one-minute prep time).

190 Impromptu Speech
Topic selected by adjudicator. One minute preparation time is allowed. Bell to be rung at 1½ minutes and again at 2 minutes.
Time limit: 2 minutes.

193 Solo Performance Recital - 15 to 21 years
A programme consisting of prepared prose (3-4 minutes), one item of poetry & one of characterisation.
The three items to be of contrasting nature.
An introduction and linking commentary should be provided. This should be in extempore style.
Time limit: 13-15 minutes.

Please supply a topic title for your performance, or titles and authors of each item by Friday, 3 September 2023.Scripts for the adjudicator must be sent to: NPACS, PO BOX 1121, Whangarei 0140.

This will not be a Nomination class for PACANZ National Young Performer Awards (NYPA) at our 2023 competitions.

Open to any age

171 Story Telling  
Costume and/or properties optional. Synopsis to be provided for adjudicator.
Time limit: 4 minutes.

192 Original Prose or Poetry
Item must be the performer's own original work.
Two copies of the text are required by Friday, 1 September 2023.
This may be scanned and emailed to speechdrama@northlandperformingarts.org.nz
Time Limit: 4 minutes.

194 Oral History Presentation
A presentation on a topic concerning an event or events in the history of Northland in the 19th or 20th centuries.
Costume may be used and any speech or drama medium may be included as well as visual aids
Time limit: 7 to 10 minutes.

Scripts

Two copies of scripts are required for all entries in Drama classes 199 to 209.

Copies are required for the Adjudicator’s preparation and the Stage Manager.

A cast list with ages is also required in order to assist with programming.
Changes to cast is allowed, but must be notified before the performance date.

Scripts are to be sent to us before Friday 1 September 2023 by:

• post: NPACS, PO Box 1121, Whangarei 0140.

• email:  speechdrama@northlandperformingarts.org.nz

Age groups

To assist with problems encountered in casting plays in this section, it is allowable to enter younger performers in the senior classes, provided that the majority of players conform to the age stated for the class.

Open to any age

199  Play, Sketch, or Scene
Songs allowed but majority of performance must be spoken, i.e. acting not singing will predominate.
Time limits: 5 minutes set-up, 15 minutes performance.

204  Devised Drama
Devise a performance using a stimulus from a poem, short story or novel. 2 to 20 performers.
An outline of the performance piece or a text and a very brief explanation of how the piece evolved, is required for the adjudicator.
Time limit: 20 minutes.

Under 12 years

200  Group Play or Scene from Play
4 or more characters. Narration allowed.
Time limits: 5 minutes set-up, 15 minutes performance.

202  Devised Drama - 8 & under 12 years.
Devise and present a performance piece for a purpose or audience. 2 to 6 performers.
Time limit: 20 minutes.

205 Mini Play
For 2 or more characters.
Time limits: 5 minutes set-up, 10 minutes performance.

207 Humorous Sketch
For 2 or more characters.
Time limits: 5 minutes set-up, 10 minutes performance.

209  Choral Speaking
Verse or prose. Minimum of 5 performers. Two selections.
Time limit: 8 minutes.

12 & under 18 years

201  Group Play or Scene from Play
4 or more characters. Narration allowed.
Time limits: 5 minutes set-up, 15 minutes performance.

203  Devised Drama
Devise a performance using a stimulus from a poem, short story or novel. 2 to 12 performers.
Time limit:  20 minutes.

206  Mini Play
For 2 or more characters.
Time limits: 5 minutes set-up, 10 minutes performance.

208  Humorous Sketch
For 2 or more characters. S
Time limits: 5 minutes set-up, 10 minutes performance.

210  Choral Speaking
Verse or prose. Minimum of 5 performers. Two selections.
Time limits: 10 minutes. 

Beginners Cup under 8 years.
Classes: 150, 151 & 165 aggregate points.

John & Mary Cup 8 & under 10 years.
Classes: 152, 153 & 166 aggregate points.

Dreamtime Trophy 8 & under 10 years.
A promising performer. Classes:152, 153, 154, 166, 177, 180A & 184 aggregate points.

Junior Speech Cup 10 & under 12 years.
Classes: 156, 162, 167, 178 & 181 aggregate points.

James Rice Memorial Trophy 10 & under 12 years.
Classes: 156, 167 & 185 aggregate points.

Studio Trophy 12 & under 15 years.
Classes: 160, 163, 168 & 186 aggregate points.

ASB Shakespeare and Dickens Cup 15 years & over.
Northland resident.
Classes: 173 & 187 aggregate points. Must enter both classes.

Progressive Society Cup 15 years & over.
Classes: 161, 176, 180, 183 & 193 aggregate points.

Dame Sybil Thorndike Trophy 15 years & over.
Classes: 164, 169, 172, 180, 183 & 187 aggregate points.

Zonta Trophy 15 years & over.
Classes: 189 & 190 aggregate points.

Birt Trophy Highest
Highest mark gained by a boy under 16 years.

Speech Communication Assn. Trophy
Northland resident.
Highest mark gained by a girl under the age of 16 years.

Karen Soich Trophy
Highest mark gained by a girl over the age of 16 years.

Verna Preece Memorial Trophy under 12 years.
Competitor gaining most first placings over all classes in the Speech section. 

Harbour Board Trophy 12 years & over.
Competitor gaining most first placings over all classes in the Speech section.

Whangarei & Districts Housewives Assn. 25th Jubilee Trophy  8 & under 20 years.
Most first placings in:

• Character Recitals classes: 184, 185, 186, 186A

• Verse classes: 152, 156, 159, 161

• Prepared Readings classes: 166, 167, 168, 169.

Wilf & Leoni Teasdale Novice Cup
To be awarded to a first-time performer under 12 years.

Wilkinson Cup
To be awarded to a first-time performer under 15 years, at adjudicator’s discretion.

FM Pryor
Awarded to a worthy non-cup winner.

Whangarei Children’s Theatre Memorial Trophy
Adjudicator’s selection.

Whangarei Speech Communications Association Trophy
For best performance of the work of a NZ female writer over all relevant classes in the Speech Section. Awarded in commemoration of the 1993 Centennial of Women’s Suffrage.
To be considered for this trophy, competitors must supply titles and authors with entries.