North Campus

Theodore Gibson Oratorical Project

Rules and Guidelines

  • Participating schools may enter a team of no more than 6 students, each reciting different selections, in the regional competitions. Except K-8 Centers or Elementary Schools that have a 6th grade. These schools can enter teams in both the Elementary (K-5) and Middle School (6-8) Competitions.
  • All selections must adhere to the 1-3 minutes time restriction. All high school participants (9-12) must write and perform original pieces written by them.
  • All selections must be memorized and must not be a retired selection.
  • In all categories, scripts, props, and costumes are not allowed. Language that may be considered offensive and/or derogatory is also not allowed. School uniforms are encouraged, and recitations are to be in English.
  • Teacher/Sponsor should give preference to selecting pieces written by authors of African descent; however, any selection relating to the African experience and/or civil and human rights are acceptable.
  • Teacher/Sponsor is responsible for making all transportation and field trip arrangements for their students. Students should arrive prepared and on time for the competition. Field trip arrangements should be made well in advance of the events, including parent's permission. At the regional and final competitions, each sponsor is responsible for making lunch arrangements for their students.
  • At the conclusion of all regional competitions, the results are shared on the website.
    ONLY THE STUDENTS WITH THE HIGHEST SCORES WILL BE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FINAL COMPETITION.
  • Teacher/Sponsor must complete the student registration forms, including the name and author of the selections. Incomplete forms will NOT be processed and will be returned.
  • Teacher/Sponsor will receive confirmation of participants' entries prior to the date of the competition.
  • Students may choose to recite a medley of short poems/prose (no more than 3 poems by the same author); however, they must introduce the performance as an author's medley and proceed through the rendition without introducing each piece during transitions.
    EXAMPLE: "I will recite a Langston Hughes medley." The student cannot introduce each poem. They must recite each selection with only a brief pause between poems. If the student introduces the names of the selections, it will be considered more than one selection, and the competitor will be immediately disqualified. The medley must be within the appropriate time limit.
  • A student will not be judged if: within the presentation they stop and start over from the beginning, leave the stage before completing the selection, and/or arrive late or after their name has been called to recite.
  • Any alteration to the student's appearance will be considered a costume (e.g. rolled up pant, leg or shirt sleeves, messy hair, parts below wait etc. Halter tops and/or excessively short skirts are prohibited. Also, any articles of clothing worn and is a significant part of the student's selection is considered a costume (e.g. a piece is about wearing a hat, and the student is wearing a hat).

There are no breaks in the competition to use the restroom or attend to personal concerns before the competition begins. Please note the room may be colder than usual, so please bring a jacket or sweater. Movements are prohibited by members of the audience when a student is performing.