2026 Syllabus - Speech Arts

Please read the General Rules at the front of the Syllabus as well as those pertaining to the Speech Arts Section. TO AVOID DISQUALIFICATION, please read all rules CAREFULLY.

Fees must NOT be divided amongst competitors in duologues or group scenes. One fee must be clearly paid by ONE competitor on ONE online entry.

All selections are to be performed from memory with the exception of Public Speaking.

Speech Arts materials MUST be provided for the adjudicator at the time of performance. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Material may be acquired from the Internet. If the Internet material has been purchased, a copy of the receipt must be shown to the Desk Clerk before performing.

For assistance, please call the Section Head, Ann Shuttleworth at 905-510-8482.

OPEN CLASSES ARE SOLELY INTENDED FOR AGES 19 YEARS AND OVER. Ages are as of Dec. 31, 2025.

POETRY CLASSES - No costumes or props are to be used for Poetry Classes. It is recommended that competitors 9 years and over enter at least two classes. To avoid disqualification due to choice of poem, please be sure that you have entered the correct class (category). If you need assistance with this, please contact the Section Head prior to entering.

DRAMA CLASSES - Selections must be taken from a published play, an adaptation from a published novel, or from a published anthology of published plays. Prose taken from other sources, including original works, are not permitted. Any request for an exception to these rules MUST be approved by the Section Head prior to entering. The Festival reserves the right to reject any material that it considers inappropriate.

Please note that Choral Speaking classes have been moved to the School Choirs Section.

QUALIFYING FOR PROVINCIALS - Upon completion of the 2026 local festival, competitors MAY be selected to compete at the Provincial level, based upon recommendation of the adjudicator. Currently there are 5 age categories: Elementary 11-12 years, Junior 13-14 years, Intermediate 15-16 years, Senior 17-18 years and Advanced 19-28 years. Rules regarding Provincials are available at www.OMFA.ca. Three or four selections would be required for Provincial performances and should show a contrast in mood, ie. serious , comical, reflective. At least one of the selections MUST have been performed at the originating local festival.

ART ORATOIRE (French) - NEW (nouveau)
Les concurrents peuvent s’inscrire dans une des disciplines suivantes: art oratoire (français langue première), immersion française, ou français cadre (core French). Les concurrents peuvent s’inscrire à leur niveau d’études actuel et une fois à un niveau supérieur, mais pas à un niveau inférieur. Le Festival se réserve le droit de rejeter la matière qu’on considère inconvenante. Les concurrents sont obligés de présenter toutes leurs sélections par cœur, à l’exception des discours. C’est permis, mais pas obligatoire, d’utiliser des gestes théâtraux et des costumes. Toutes les présentations sont en solo en 2026.

If you have any questions, please check with the Speech Arts Section Head, Ann Shuttleworth at 905 510-8482