An observation of 2013 Readers Theater Contest

"Congratulations to all the teams, no matter you get the awards or not because you all made it!"

The award list:

Group A

第一名: 立人國中
第二名: 大甲國中、東山高中、豐東國中
第三名: 福科國中、光明國中、居仁國中、大雅國中、西苑高中
佳 作: 沙鹿國中、五權國中、大業國中、爽文國中、成功國中

Group B
第一名: 漢口國中
第二名: 雙十國中、后里國中
第三名: 豐原國中、安和國中、育英國中
佳 作: 黎明國中、萬和國中、光正國中

Group C
第一名: 新社高中
第二名: 東峰國中、立新國中
第三名: 神岡國中、清泉國中、梧棲國中
佳 作: 龍井國中、北勢國中、清海國中

Group D
第一名: 明道中學
第二名: 新民高中、曉明女中
第三名: 東大附中、華盛頓中學、衛道高中
佳 作: 常春藤高中、大明高中、葳格高中

My first time as an MC this year was an interesting and excising mission. A total of 63 teams made the competition even more challenging and nervous. Before the formal performance, the next two teams had to stand by aside or outside. You would never see any team really "stand" by. They not only kept trying the fluency of their lines, but checked each other's make- up or costume in order to impress all the judges and audience. Here are the feedback and suggestion from the judges.

1. All the contestants were brave and well- trained to finish the task which made the standard of this competition better and better.

2. Although actions, gestures, or costumes are not the main point for judgment, however, to make these aids proper is able to help release the tense and interact to each other meaningfully.

3. This is not a competition for reading aloud, but an interpretation of the scrip. The performers need to be the media between the roles and themselves, the roles themselves, and the audience and the roles. Therefore, the performers should not just read, but involve themselves into the roles and the story. Gestures and eye- contact are very helpful.

4. Trying controversial issues, including politics is creative, and brave, but risky. However, it is worth doing.

My opinion:

I cried when two teams were performing. They had something in common.

1. Be the characters! They were well prepared, but become the roles themselves. Therefore, the audience could go through the stories as if they were in the story.

2. Be dramatic! These two teams activated their voice interestingly and properly. Due to their fluency, the emotion of the audience were tied tightly along with the turn taking of each role.

Thanks for all the contestants. Even though it was just a practice before and formal performance, their eyes were sparkling. Through their eyes, I saw the aggressiveness and passion towards English, and proud. Yes, you all should be proud! Well done!