California Youth Leadership Council Resources
What is a Performance?
A performance is the only live presented project. It includes a script, a simple set design, costumes, and props to portray students' research and analysis.
Rules
General rules for a performance include:
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Your performance must be an original production
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Your performance must be presented live
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Your performance must correctly portray your historical evidence
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Your performance must include your analysis
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Your performance must not exceed 10 minutes in length
Performance Rule Book
Performance Planning Template
Performance Judging Rubric
Performance Ideas Map
Performance Organization Tool
Performance Scene Selection
Visit the following resources to help create your Performance!
Where to Start
A step-to-step guide on how to start creating your performance!
1. Gather your research - collect your primary and secondary sources needed to get the full picture of your topic. This is where you should become an expert on your topic! Journal, newspaper, and some website articles are a great source of primary sources, and can help give you the perspective of the public's view of your topic! Websites and books are great secondary sources that summarize your topic!
2. Write and revise your thesis - make sure that you have a strong thesis that connects to the theme. (If you want more information on how to write a strong thesis, click here)
3. Write your script - digitally or physically write out your entire script! This includes what you plan to say, as well as the actions that you perform. Make sure you include your thesis in your script!!! Go into as much detail in your script as needed to ensure that your performance goes as smoothly as possible.
4. Create or purchase costumes - buy and sew fabric or find costumes suitable for the people you play in your performance!
5. Create of purchase props - build any necessary props that you think will help relay your performance to your audience.
6. Practice, Practice, and Practice - This is a one-time performance; everything you did beforehand was all of this one moment.
Sample Performances
Tips
1. Talk loud!
You need to ensure that your audience (including judges) can hear what you are saying.
2. Talk at a medium speed.
You don't need to talk super slow or super fast, but talking in the middle makes it clear to your audience what you are saying.
3. Practice!
If you are in a group, practice as many times as possible together. While memorizing by yourself is good, you should run through your full performance together to ensure everything runs smoothly.
4. Finish everything well in advance.
Aim to have your performance completed at least one month early so you have plenty of time to memorize, rehearse, and perform full out with confidence and comfort.
5. Keep scenes short and focused.
Make scenes very brief to maintain energy and avoid boring your audience.
6. Repeat your theme words often.
Use your theme words repeatedly—even in double-digit amounts—to reinforce your message and make your theme clear.
7. Use creative props and staging.
Find engaging props and creative ways to communicate your point, since performances should be interactive, fun, and memorable.