BIBLE READERS THEATER / CHORAL READING
PURPOSE: The purpose of this event is to encourage dramatic, choral readings of scripture to make Bible reading texts come alive, and to vocally emphasize the deeper meanings of scripture.
PROCESS:
Each participant group will:
1. Select a passage of scripture, preferably from the book of II Samuel, and arrange it for a 3 to 6 minute choral reading.
2. Register the team of 3 to 6 readers according to the grade level of its oldest member, and each individual student in the team by proper grade level.
3. When you register, be sure to inform the Event Director of the scripture passage chosen.
4. Be in the performance room at least 5 minutes before the event begins
5. Bring the practiced reading scripts for this event. Each reader MUST hold a complete script.
6. Provide judges as possible, to be used if needed.
The Event Director will:
1. Assign and post in the performance room, a reading schedule for all groups registered
2. Provide 6 chairs and 6 stools to be selected for use by the participants.
3. Provide three judges and a time keeper
4. Oversee the judging process, being sure to have judges in place and with judging forms. Remind judges to judge in consideration of the registered grade level of the group.
5. Report judging results to the convention events coordinator with award recommendations
RULES:
1. There are two grade categories for this event – Grades 3 – 6; Grades 7 – 12
2. A student may move to an older, but not younger grade level group
3. Each team will be made up of 3-6 LTC participants from a local congregation
4. Each team will prepare its Readers’ Theater presentation prior to the convention and register it with the Event Director on or before the pre-convention judging deadline.
5. Props are not allowed, but a complete reading script must be held by each participant. The script might be a Bible; the script is not considered a prop.
6. Costumes are not allowed
7. The team may arrange itself in any way; choosing to, or not use chairs, and or stools.
8. This is a Readers’ Theater. It is NOT a drama presentation. The meaning and emotion of the scripture text chosen is to be mostly conveyed vocally. However, some shifting, changing of positions, and other movement is allowed. Each individual judge will decide if it has become “acting”, and may deduct points accordingly.
JUDGING:
1. There will be three judges and a timekeeper. The award rating will be based on the average of these three judge’s scores.
2. (40 points) Voices: Do the voices blend well? Is there contrast in the voices? Is there vocal variety in rate(speed of reading), volume, and tone(high and low pitches- not monotone)?
3. (10 points) Appearance: Is the appearance of each individual and the team clean and neat? Is the dress appropriate? NO costumes!
4. (10) Movement: Are the movements necessary? Do they help you better understand what this scripture means to this particular group? Do they overshadow the vocal message?
5. (20) Physical Expression: Do all the members of the team seem to be present in all the performance by the looks on their faces and their body language both during the times they are speaking and during the times when they may be silent? Do the facial expressions and body language help you to feel the passages of scripture which are being read?
6. (20) Overall: Does it seem like all readers are enjoying themselves and that they have worked together as a team to convey a single, important message?
7. A three point penalty will be taken away for any 30 seconds under or over the time limit.
AWARDS:
1. Each team will be awarded according to the following scale.
a. Gold = 5 Silver = 3 Bronze = 1
Each participant will receive an appropriately colored engraved plate for the individual’s award plaque. ADDITIONALLY, a team plate will be awarded to each team in each Grade Category
to hang on the congregational plaque.