The Arkansas Communication & Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) is the official organization sanctioned by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) to govern interscholastic speech, debate, and theatre competitions between AAA member schools in Arkansas. In addition to hosting the state title competition for high school, ACTAA sanctions all speech and debate activities in Arkansas.

Dramatic Interpretation

Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. With a spotlight on character development and depth, Dramatic Interpretation (DI) focuses on a student’s ability to convey emotion through the use of a dramatic text. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances may also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and author.

Event details

DUO Interpretation

Duo. The event everyone wants to do with a best friend. In truth, while the appeal of Duo might be performing with a friend, this approach may not be best. Duo is about balance. Partners need to compliment one another stylistically, have a similar skill set and work ethic. Chemistry is an important element of Duo, but chemistry outside of a practice/performance setting does not always translate to chemistry when practicing or performing at a tournament. Be sure to share your goals with your coach as they help you through the process of getting started in Duo. Duo is an event that can be dramatic, comedic, or a combination of the two. With a ten minute time cap, and a requirement of an off-stage focus, Duo is one of the most unique forms of performance. The main objective is to maintain a sense of balance between performers that focuses on the relationship(s) between the characters they create.

Event details

HUMOROUS Interpretation

Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. Humorous Interpretation (HI) is designed to test a student’s comedic skills through script analysis, delivery, timing, and character development. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances can also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and author.

Event details

IMPROVISED DUET ACTING

Improvised Duet Acting (IDA) is an improvised acting event composed of two students who portray an original scene created after drawing the subject. The scene should establish two characters, a situation or problem and a solution to the conflict. A brief narrated introduction shall be used in establishing the setting and the characters in the scene. Performers will draw three topics and choose one topic for performance. They prepare in the performance room, performers cannot leave once they select their topic. Performers will present topic slip to judges before performing. No costumes, props or makeup may be used during the performance. Only one chair per performer may be used.

Event details

POETRY

Using a selection or selections of literature, students provide an interpretation of Poetry (POE) with a time limit of five minutes, including introduction. Poetry is characterized by writing that conveys ideas, experiences, and emotions through language and expression. Students may choose traditional poetry, often characterized by rhyme or rhythm, or nontraditional poetry, which often has a rhythmic flow but is not necessarily structured by formal meter (meter is a beat, pattern, or structure, such as iambic pentameter). Students may not use prose, nor drama (plays), in this category. Students must use a manuscript in Poetry, which typically consists of a small three-ring binder with page protectors.

Event details

PROGRAM OF ORAL INTERPRETATION

Using a combination of prose, poetry, and drama, students construct a program up to 10 minutes in length using at least two out of the three genres: prose, poetry, and drama (plays). With a spotlight on argumentation and performative range, Program Oral Interpretation (POI) focuses on a student’s ability to combine multiple genres of literature centered around a single theme. Competitors are expected to portray multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used except for the manuscript. Performances also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the titles and authors used in the program.

Event details

Prose

Using a short story, parts of a novel, or another published work of prose, students provide an interpretation of one or more selections with a time limit of five minutes, including introduction. Utilizing a single piece of literature, Prose (PRO) can be drawn from works of fiction or non-fiction. Prose corresponds to usual (ordinary/common) patterns of speech and may combine elements of narration and dialogue. Students may not use poetry, nor drama (plays), in this category. Students must use a manuscript in Prose, which typically consists of a small three-ring binder with page protectors.

Event details