Onsite Only Competition
Club Competition
The Living Literature competition provides an opportunity for students to present an interpretation of a scene from a work of literature. Students should choose a scene and characters from any form of literature, including but not limited to, a novel, short story, poem, or play. Students recreate the scene through costumes, scenery, and props. Essentially, students become “wax museum figures” depicting the scene. A club may have only one entry.
A club/school may not submit the same entry for competition in different divisions (EL, JR, SR).
Elementary Betas are eligible to compete in Elementary competitions only.
Junior Betas are eligible to compete in Junior competitions only.
Senior Betas are eligible to compete in Senior competitions only.
Competition Guidelines
- A description of the scene, title of the piece of literature, author, and school name MUST be incorporated within the dimensions of the scene.
- Scene cannot be based on a song or song lyrics.
- Electricity/outlet and internet will not be provided.
- The dimension of a scene may not exceed 12 feet wide by 12 feet deep by 12 feet high.
- Set up will not be monitored. A designated window of time, of no more than one hour, will be allowed for set up. Adults may assist with set up and disassembling the set. Assembling of the props/scenery outside of the square can take place prior to set up.
- Sound effects or music are not permitted in the scene.
- Movement is not permitted with props or scenery. However, the flickering of battery powered lights/candles is allowed.
- Competitors must be prepared for judging at the designated time.
- Entrants must clean their assigned scene area and remove all props immediately after the viewing.
- Water, paint, liquids or other materials that can create a mess are not allowed.
- SAFETY - No use or portrayal of ANY weapons.
- SAFETY - Sitting in chairs, lying in beds, or floor-level positions are allowed. Students must not be lifted or elevated into the air (this includes raised or elevated platforms).
- SAFETY - The scene should be entirely free standing, not leaning on walls.
- SAFETY - Metal or wood may not be used in the construction of the scene. However, metal or wooden bases, no taller than 36 inches, can be used to transport and/or support the scene. Props (table, chairs, bed frame/headboard, etc.) made of wood or metal may be used as intended. Photo/Video Studio Background Stands and Pop-up Portable Canopy tents are prohibited.
- SAFETY - Balloons, hay, fog machines, liquids, live animals (Excluding service animals), dry ice, or fire/open flame are prohibited by National Beta and the facility.
Educational Connections
- Visual and Performing Arts Standards
- Creativity and Innovation
- Communication and Collaboration
- Information and Media Literacy
How to Enter
Visit www.betaclub.org/events/conventions and follow directions.
Register students and then select competitions to enter.
National Eligibility
All Plaques Awarded at State Convention
Judging Criteria
| Living Literature | 16-20 | 11-15 | 6-10 | 1-5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Originality of Literary Selection and Interpretation of Scene | Literary Selection demonstrates excellent originality and the portrayal of an actual authentic scene from the piece of literature. | Literary Selection demonstrates good originality and the portrayal of an actual authentic scene from the piece of literature . | Literary Selection demonstrates average originality and the portrayal of an actual authentic scene from the piece of literature. | Literary Selection demonstrates minimal originality and the portrayal of an actual authentic scene from the piece of literature. |
| Craftsmanship of the Scene | Scene construction consists of excellent craftsmanship with attention to detail. | Scene construction consists of good craftsmanship with attention to detail. | Scene construction consists of average craftsmanship with attention to detail. | Scene construction consists of minimal craftsmanship with attention to detail. |
| Attention to Detail of Costumes | Costumes display excellent detail in the portrayal of characters in the scene. | Costumes display good detail in the portrayal of characters in the scene. | Costumes display average detail in the portrayal of characters in the scene. | Costumes display minimal detail in the portrayal of characters in the scene. |
| Characterization in Posing of the Scene | Participants display an excellent ability to hold a pose in the scene. | Participants display a good ability to hold a pose in the scene. | Participants display an average ability to hold a pose in the scene. | Participants display aminimalability to hold a pose in the scene. |
| Display of Information | An excellent description of the scene, title of the piece of literature, author, and school name are incorporated within the scene. | A good description of the scene, title of the piece of literature, author, and school name are incorporated within the scene. | An average description of the scene, title of the piece of literature, author, and school name are incorporated within the scene. | A minimal description of the scene, title of the piece of literature, author, and school name are incorporated within the scene. |
| Deductions :This will be taken one time by the coordinator. | Did not follow competition guidelines-10 | Did not follow SAFETY guidelines-15 |