Dubuque Senior Drama
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  • Home
  • Shows
    • The 25th Annual Putnam ...
    • Unscripted
    • 100th Anniversary Celebration
    • Clue: On Stage
  • Callboard
    • Clue: On Stage
    • Speech Team
    • Tech Crew
  • 100 Year Celebration
  • History
  • Thespians
  • Support
    • Business Partners
  • Speech Team

Iowa High School Speech Association
dUBUQUE SENIOR SPEECH TEAM

Sign up for your speech audition time here
Dubuque Senior High School is a proud member of the Iowa High School Speech Association.  Each year, Dubuque Senior competes in both Large Group and Individual Events Speech Contests, with over 100 students participating.    Participation in IHSSA is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in acting, singing, dancing, improvisation, oratorical skills, and ensemble performance.

What is the IHSSA?
The Iowa High School Speech Association consists of high schools from four districts in Iowa.  Dubuque Senior High School participates in the Northeast District of Iowa.  The IHSSA hosts competition in Large Group and Individual Events (see description of events below).  At district contest, students must receive a Division I Rating to move on to State competition.  At State, students must earn a Division I Rating AND receive nominations from judges to move on to All-State.  At Large Group All-State Festival, students may earn the Critic's Choice Award from the judge as the best performance of the day.  

2022/2023 IHSSA New Team Member Meeting
If you have not participated on the speech team before, be sure to attend our informational meeting on Thursday, September 22 during SUPPORT TIME or from 2:30-2:50 PM in Room A209. At this meeting, you will be able to learn about the different categories, sign up for auditions, and see great performances from the past year. This meeting is also important to the team to determine how many students are interested in being involved so we can finalize coaching assignments.

2022/2023 Audition Dates
  • Monday, November 14 (3:00 - 6:00 PM)
  • Tuesday, November 15 (6:00 - 9:00 PM)
  • Wednesday, November 16 (3:00 - 6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, November 17 (6:00 - 9:00 PM)
*A sign-up for audition times will be posted on the online callboard in late October

Rehearsal Information
A detailed rehearsal schedule will be released when the IHSSA events are cast by the directors. Most Large Group Events rehearse 1-2 hours per week.Individual Events rehearsals are scheduled by the students and are typically 30-45 minutes per week. We will schedule around most conflicts, so you are able to participate in other activities and/or work during the IHSSA season.

2022/2023 Contest Dates/Locations

DISTRICT LARGE GROUP
January 21, 2023
Cascade High School
Cascade, Iowa

STATE LARGE GROUP
February 4, 2023
Waterloo West High School
Waterloo, Iowa

ALL-STATE LARGE GROUP
February 17-18, 2023
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa

DISTRICT INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
February 25, 2023
West Delaware High School
Manchester, Iowa

STATE INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
March 11, 2023
Starmont High School
Arlington, Iowa

ALL-STATE INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
March 27, 2023
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa


DESCRIPTION OF LARGE GROUP EVENTS

Choral Reading - a group of 2 to 15 students perform a collection of works with an emphasis on ensemble reading (may include singing).  Facial expression and vocal blend are important.
Length: up to 15 minutes with scripts

Ensemble Acting
 - two to six students act out a scene from a play or book.  A table and chairs are the only props allowed, and no costumes or makeup is permitted.
Length: up to 15 minutes memorized

Group Improvisation
 - two to five students are given a situation and improvise a scene with limited preparation time.  Creativity, working together, and character development are essential.
Length: 3-5 minutes without scripts

Group Mime - A group of 2 to 6 students act out a situation or story with their bodies, no talking is allowed.  Music is allowed, but mime makeup is not permitted.
Length: 7 minutes, no dialogue

Musical Theatre - two to six students perform song(s) and scene(s) from a musical.  A table and chairs are the only props allowed, and no costumes or makeup is permitted.
Length: up to 10 minutes memorized

One Act Play 
- a group of two or more students perform one act of a play on the stage.  Costumes, makeup, props and sets are permitted.
Length: up to 35 minutes memorized

Radio Broadcasting 
- a group of up to 8 students gather, edit, and organize a radio broadcast which includes news, sports, and weather.  The performance is pre-recorded.
Length: between 5-6 minutes with scripts

Readers Theatre
 - a group of between 2 and 15 interpret a dramatic work or piece of literature with an emphasis on body and vocal expression.
Length: up to 25 minutes with scripts

Short Film
 - A group of between 2 and 15 students create an original film of no more than five minutes.  Length: up to 5 minutes memorized

Solo Mime - You act out a story or situation with your body and facial expression, no talking allowed. Music is allowed, but mime makeup is not permitted.
Length: 5 minutes, no dialogue

Television News - a group of 8-12 students gather, edit, and organize a news broadcast which includes news, sports, and weather.  The performance is pre-recorded and requires on and off camera positions.
Length: between 12-15 minutes with scripts


DESCRIPTION OF INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

Acting - a student acts out a monologue from a play, serious or humorous.  Only a single chair may be used.
Length: up to 8 minutes memorized

After Dinner Speaking 
- a student writes and delivers a humorous speech intended for a particular audience.
Length: up to 5 minutes memorized with notes not to exceed 50 words on a notecard

Expository Address 
- a student writes and delivers an informative speech on a topic of interest.
Length: up to 6 minutes memorized with notes not to exceed 50 words on a notecard

Improvisational Acting 
- a student draws characters and a situation and acts out a scene with limited preparation.
Length: up to 5 minutes imagination needed

Literary Program 
- a combination of prose and poetry is presented on a theme.  Facial and vocal expression are key.
Length: up to 8 minutes with script

Original Oratory 
- a student writes and delivers a persuasive speech on a topic of interest. A lectern may be used.
Length: up to 8 minutes memorized with notes not to exceed 50 words on a notecard

Poetry/Prose 
- a student interprets works of either poetry or prose. Interpretation and expression are essential.
Length: up to 6 minutes with script

Public Address
 - a student selects a speech originally delivered by another, communicating the intent of the author.
Length: up to 8 minutes memorized with notes not to exceed 50 words on a notecard

Radio News 
- a student prepares a news program with given news copy in 30 minutes.  A speaker system is used with the audience located in another room.
Length: between 4-5 minutes with script

Review
 - a student writes and delivers a critical analysis of a book, movie, video game, or any other media.
Length: up to 8 minutes memorized with notes not to exceed 50 words on a notecard

Solo Musical Theatre
 - a student performs one song from a musical using recorded music.  A single chair may be used.  Length: up to 5 minutes memorized

Spontaneous
 - a student draws a contemporary issue topic to speak about with 3 minutes of preparation.  Research is important in this category.
Length: up to 5 minutes

Storytelling - a student tells a children's story with facial and body expression.  A stool may be used.
Length: up to 5 minutes memorized
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DUBUQUE SENIOR DRAMA
1800 CLARKE DRIVE, DUBUQUE, IOWA 52001
563.552.5555        ADEAN@DBQSCHOOLS.ORG