76th Annual Townsville Eisteddfod
Drama
15 Sep 2026 to 18 Sep 2026
(To be confirmed after receipt of Entries and Programming has been finalised)
View Discipline Rule

SPEECH & DRAMA DIVISION CHECK FOR CHANGES   

ADJUDICATORS:

SOLO: Kitty Goodall, Brisbane   GROUP: Naomi Middlebrook, Gold Coast

RULES & CONDITIONS

  1. CHORAL SPEAKING Title & Poet to be recited. Maximum number of voices:30
  1. Choir risers: 3 sets of 4 levels (plus floor). Placed in a static position.
  2. School choirs shall consist solely of current bona-fide students of that school.
  3. Competitors must not perform in more than one choir in the same Section.
  4. A conductor may be used.
  5. Unison: Natural gestures optional.
  6. Part work: Simple costumes, hand props & choreographed movement optional. Performed on risers or floor.
  7. Enter & exit stage from Auditorium.
  8. Only groups who are competing in the relevant section may be seated in the auditorium.
  1. POEM IN PAIRS Title & Poet to be recited.
  1. One of the competitors may be under the Age Limit but may not enter BOTH the higher Age Section and their own Age Section.
  2. If any competitor is prevented from performing due to the withdrawal of one member, a substitute may be used. The Backstage Marshall must be notified of the change prior to the commencement of the Section.
  3. May be Unison, Part or Combination.
  1. POETRY Natural gestures optional
  1. OWN CHOICE Title & Poet/Author to be recited except Drama sections & Character Poem.
  1. SET POEMS & TITLES Title & Poet/Author to be recited except Prepared Mime.

Available from the Eisteddfod website:  www.townsvilleeisteddfod.org or from the Eisteddfod Office.

  1. DRAMA SECTIONS

Scripts must be age appropriate and with the realisation that there will be children in the audience. Optional: Curtain & a typed 25 word synopsis (to be read by Chairperson) handed to the Registrar prior to the commencement of the Section, except Impromptu Drama.

Prepared Mime: Chairperson Form must be submitted; Warning bell: 30 secs before allotted time

  1. EXTEMPORISEDSECTIONS

Failure to appear before commencement will mean disqualification.

Only Marshalls & competitors will be allowed backstage.

Improvisation topics/readings will be provided by the Adjudicator with a preparation time of 1 minute.

Impromptu Drama: Warning bell: 30 seconds before allotted time. If the performance exceeds the allotted time, a second bell will be rung & adjudication will be given but no mark.

  1. PREPARED PUBLIC SPEAKING SECTIONS

Warning bell: 30 seconds before allotted time. If the performance exceeds the allotted time, a second bell will be rung & adjudication will be given but no mark.

  1. PROMPTING

Adjudicator only, except for Group Drama. Penalties may apply.

  1. PROPS

Hand held props optional for Poem in Pairs, Character Poem, Humorous Poem, Bush Poetry & Drama.

1 table & 1 chair will be provided for Drama. 

Group Drama: Props must be set within 2 mins & sound effects/music must be provided on USB. Curtain optional.

  1. COSTUMES

Optional for Poem in Pairs, Character Poem, Humorous Poem, Bush Poetry & Drama sections only.

Theatre Blacks required for Impromptu Drama & Prepared Mime.

Costume required for Shakespearean Solo.

  1. MICROPHONE

No microphone will be allowed in any Speech & Drama Sections.

SPEECH & DRAMA AWARDS

DRAMA BURSARY Any Townsville competitor age 15 to18 who, in the opinion of the Adjudicator, shows the most potential. Must have competed in Drama Championship.

SPEECH BURSARY Any Townsville competitor age 15 to18 who, in the opinion of the Adjudicator, shows the most potential. Must have competed in Championship Recitation.

AWARDS:

  • Most promising Drama competitor age 15 and over in any of the following Sections:

Shakespearean or Solo Drama or Impromptu Drama

  • Drama Group (3 or more competitors) of the Adjudicator’s choice.
  • Encouragement for Recitation competitor aged 13 to 18.
  • Most promising Recitation competitor aged 12 & under.
  • Primary Choral Speaking Choir of the Adjudicator’s choice.
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 15/06/2026 11:59:00 PM +10:00 (AEST)
Age 15 to 18
237 Drama Championship Solo     Age 15 to 18

Time Limit: 04:00

Own Choice; costume optional. Must compete in appropriate Age Solo.

The Esme Schrock Trophy donated by the Schrock Family

Entry: $15.001st Trophy          2nd Trophy          3rd Trophy          
238 Shakespearean Solo     Age 15 to 18

Time Limit: 04:00

Own Choice; costume optional.

Donated by Arminelle Fleming

Entry: $10.001st Trophy          2nd Medal          3rd Medal          HC          
239 Drama Solo     Age 15 to 18

Time Limit: 04:00

Own Choice other than Shakespeare; costume optional

Donated by the Dyer Family

Entry: $10.001st Trophy          2nd Medal          3rd Medal          HC          
Age 14
240 Drama Solo     Age 14

Time Limit: 03:00

Own Choice other than Shakespeare; costume optional

Donated by the Ireland Family

Entry: $10.001st Trophy          2nd Medal          3rd Medal          HC          
Age 13
241 Drama Solo     Age 13

Time Limit: 03:00

Own Choice other than Shakespeare; costume optional

Donated by the Ireland Family

Entry: $10.001st Trophy          2nd Medal          3rd Medal          HC          
Age 15 to 18
242 Duologue Duo     Age 15 to 18

Time Limit: 05:00

Own Choice; extracts from any theatrical drama; costumed

Donated by Dr Harry Stalewski, Paediatric Surgeon/Urologist

Entry: $14.001st Trophy          2nd Trophy          3rd Trophy          HC          
Age 13 & 14
243 Duologue Duo     Age 13 & 14

Time Limit: 05:00

Own Choice; extracts from any theatrical drama; costumed

Donated by Dr Harry Stalewski, Paediatric Surgeon/Urologist

Entry: $14.001st Trophy          2nd Trophy          3rd Trophy          HC          
Age 13 to 18
244 Comedy Skit Duo     Age 13 to 18

Time Limit: 05:00

Own Choice; costume optional

Donated by the Bradshaw Family

Entry: $14.001st Trophy          2nd Trophy          3rd Trophy          HC          
Age 13 to 18
246 Prepared Mime Solo     Age 13 to 18

Time Limit: 02:00

Own Choice; warning bell 30 secs before end; hand held props, music/sound effects optional - operated by performer

Donated by the Yu Family

Entry: $10.001st Trophy          2nd Medal          3rd Medal          HC          
Age 9 to 12
247 Prepared Mime Solo     Age 9 to 12

Time Limit: 01:00

Own Choice; warning bell 30secs before end; hand held props, music/sound effects optional - operated by performer

Donated by the Sanders Family

Entry: $10.001st Trophy          2nd Medal          3rd Medal          HC          
Age 15 to 18
248 Impromptu Drama Solo     Age 15 to 18

Time Limit:

Choice 2 Topics from Adjudicator; prep time 1 min; warning 30 secs before end

Donated by Arminelle Fleming

Entry: $10.001st Trophy          2nd Medal          3rd Medal          HC          
Age 12 to 14
249 Impromptu Drama Solo     Age 12 to 14

Time Limit:

Choice 2 Topics from Adjudicator; prep time 1 min; warning 30 secs before end

Donated by Arminelle Fleming

Entry: $10.001st Trophy          2nd Medal          3rd Medal          HC