Talent Showcase

Description/Objective:

• To provide an opportunity for 4-H youth to develop a spirit of cooperation through working together to develop self-confidence through public appearance.
• To stimulate interest and encourage a broad-based recreation program in Texas 4-H at the club and county level.
• To encourage 4-H members to discover and develop their talents.
• To provide for social, cultural, and leadership development of 4-H youth.

Categories

[expand title=”Celebrate 4-H”]
An entry may consist of one (1) to nine (9) participants. May be a 4-H based story line, promoting 4-H, community service, a project or activity. This category may also address a specific youth issue and present ways in which this issue can be addressed through 4-H efforts. May incorporate music, vocal selections, and/or choreographed routines but these aspects cannot be more than half of the performance. Skits can be humorous, creative and make fun of but not degrade Extension employees or the 4-H program. All 4-H members entered in the category must be a part of the act. Judged on material chosen, talent, creativity, showmanship, costumes and props. Four (4) minutes for set-up and break down; maximum of six (6) minutes for presentation for a total of ten (10) minutes per act.
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[expand title=”Choreographed Routines”]
An entry may consist of one (1) to nine (9) participants. No speaking to form a skit or story line. The act requires choreography and can be demonstrated through twirling, pom pom squad routines, jump rope teams, basketball dribbling exhibitions, or dance (jazz, tap, country & western, ballroom, etc.). Sign language presentations to music have been added to choreographed routines. However, if a participant is SINGING and SIGNING, this entry should be entered in the Vocal Category. All 4-H members entered in the category must be a part of the act. Acts may use recorded music on CD or digital music player, but may not use an accompanist. Judged on material chosen, talent, uniformity, creativity, showmanship, costuming, and material chosen. Four (4) minutes for set-up and break down; maximum of six (6) minutes for presentation for a total of ten (10) minutes per act.
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[expand title=”Dramedy”]
An entry may consist of one (1) to nine (9) participants. This is an acting category. A dramedy (also known as a comedy-drama or comedic drama) is an act that combines elements of comedy and drama, having both humorous and sometimes serious content. Acts cannot incorporate 4-H related material or theme. (Otherwise, it would be categorized as Celebrate 4-H.) Skits can be currently available scripts, original material, or a combination of the two. Humor and creativity are encouraged, but the degradation of any individual or organization is not permitted. May incorporate music, vocal selections, and/or choreographed routines, but these aspects cannot be more than half of the performance. Judged on material chosen, talent, creativity, showmanship, costumes and props. Four (4) minutes for set-up and break down; maximum of six (6) minutes for presentation for a total of ten (10) minutes per act.
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[expand title=”Musical/Instrumental”]
An entry may consist of one (1) to nine (9) participants. Musical presentation may be musical instruments accompanied by background recorded music or an instrumental performance only. No accompanist will be allowed. Participants may not sing or incorporate a skit, poetry, prose, or choreography with their act. Judged on talent, showmanship, musical presentation, and material chosen. Four (4) minutes for setup and break down; maximum of six (6) minutes for presentation for a total of ten (10) minutes per act.
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[expand title=”Poetry/Prose”]
An entry may consist of one (1) to nine (9) participants. Acts which showcase poetry or prose are required. The act may NOT incorporate vocal, musical, and/or choreographed routine. This category does not require 4-H related material, however, if an original poem or prose piece showcasing 4-H is written, this would be acceptable. Every 4-H member entered in the category must be a part of the performance on stage. All material must be memorized. No script may be used during the performance. Judged on material chosen, message, talent, presentation style, props/costuming. Four (4) minutes total for set-up and break down; maximum of six (6) minutes for presentation for a total of ten (10) minutes per act.
**Defining Poetry and Prose: Poetry is generally characterized by structured meter and rhyme that tells a story or provides a message to the reader. Prose is distinguished from poetry by its greater variety of rhythm and its closer resemblance to the patterns of everyday speech. Another description might be an excerpt from a larger piece such as a play or book.
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[expand title=”Solo/Band Performance”]
An entry may consist of one (1) to nine (9) participants. This act incorporates a combination of vocal and musical/instrumental talents. Acts that are vocal only or musical/instrumental only are not to be entered in this category. All 4-H members entered in the category must be a part of the act by playing a musical instrument, singing, or both (solo performance must play an instrument and sing). Participants MUST incorporate singing in the acts, but cannot incorporate skits, poetry, or prose. They may, however, move around the stage and incorporate choreography with their presentation for the purpose of enhancing their showmanship. Judged on talent, showmanship, musical presentation, vocal presentation when applicable, and material chosen. Four (4) minutes for set-up and break down; maximum of six (6) minutes for presentation for a total of ten (10) minutes per act.
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[expand title=”Vocal”]
An entry may consist of one (1) to nine (9) participants. Vocal presentation may be done a cappella or with an accompaniment CD, iPod, or other mp3 player. No accompanist will be allowed for this category. All members in the act must be singing. No lip sync will be allowed. Contestants may not present skits, poetry or other speaking during the act. They may, however, move around the stage and incorporate choreography with their presentation for the purpose of enhancing their showmanship. Sign language may be added to enhance the performance, but entries that strictly showcase sign language without vocal presentation are not permitted in this category. They must be entered in Choreographed routines. Judged on talent, showmanship, vocal presentation, and material chosen. Four (4) minutes for set-up and break down; maximum of six (6) minutes for presentation for a total of ten (10) minutes per act.
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Complete State Roundup Share-The-Fun Guide: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/files/2014/10/2015_STF_Letter.pdf