STUDENT FAQs
for parent/judge FAQs click here
for parent/judge FAQs click here
What is speech?
Speech is best described as competitive acting and public speaking. The Massachusetts Speech and Debate League offers seventeen different speech events that cover many different kinds of communication from acting to poetry reading to off-the-cuff speaking. You can see the complete list of events here. The Bancroft Speech Team competes on select Saturdays against other high schools from all over the state. Speech tournaments regularly attract 30-40 schools and hundreds of competitors. At the end of the year, we compete at National Tournaments in various cities across the country, These tournaments regularly attract 3000 competitors.
If you are at all interested in theater, public speaking or performance, there is an event for you!
If you are at all interested in theater, public speaking or performance, there is an event for you!
How do I get started?
Speech can seem huge and complicated and hard to jump into at first. But if you come to a team meeting we will simplify it and help you get started. After attending team meetings, the best second step is to sign up with the coaches or captains to start looking for and working on a piece. We have calendars on the speech board in the main hallway where you can sign up to get started or you can email any of us. There is also lots of information on this website.
When are team meetings? Are they mandatory?
We meet every G Day from 9:15 to 10:00 in the Speech Room. We also have Squad meetings at 11:45 on other days of the rotation. We do workshops, prepare for upcoming tournaments, watch videos of performances, or give feedback on each other's pieces. If you are on the team, you should come to the meetings unless you have an academic conflict.
How do I sign up for a tournament?
About 10-14 days before each tournament, Mr. Sheldon sends out a google doc so you can fill in your name, event and any judges that you can provide. If that doesn't work or you aren't getting the google doc, email Mr. Sheldon or Mrs. Sheldon.
If I'm on the team, how many tournaments do I have to go to?
That is entirely up to you. You can come to all of them or only one. Some members of the team only start after the fall sports season. Most team members come to many but not all tournaments.
I'm nervous about joining the team and don't know where to start.
Speaking in front of people can be scary, but don't let it keep you from giving it a try. All of the team members have gone through those nerves and are very interested in helping get you up to speed. Don't wait until you think something is "good enough" to sign up to work with the coaches and captains; we are here to help you from square one.
Can I play sports and be on the speech team?
Absolutely. It is one of the best ways to do theater/performing if you can't be in the drama or musical due to your athletic commitments. Every year, many speech team members play on teams. It is not hard to find time to work with the Speech coaches or captains during X block or during free periods. The only real conflict is if you play a sport outside of Bancroft that has a lot of Saturday games or practices.
Who can help me find and cut a piece?
Mr. Sheldon and Mrs. Sheldon or the student captains would LOVE to work with you to find a piece. Talk to or email any of them to set up a time to start looking. You don't need anything other than an interest in getting started.
where can I find potential scripts, books, poems, speeches, etc.?
Mr. Sheldon has a large number of resources in his office. The coaches and captains can point you toward lots of other sources on the internet and can help you to evaluate, choose and prepare one. Just sign up to work with one of us.
How long can I use one piece?
You can compete with any given piece for one academic year. In September, you have to find a new piece even if you only did your former piece once during the previous year.
I'm doing a reading event; where can I get a binder?
Mr. Sheldon has a stack of them. Bring him $5 and he will give you a binder.
How many pieces/events can I do?
Most local tournaments only allow you to do 2 events at any single tournament (or 3 if you are doing Multiple Reading as the third event). The university tournaments (Harvard, Yale) sometimes allow more. However, you can rotate between events at different tournaments so that you can do many different events in a given year of competition.
How long is a tournament?
It varies depending on how far we have to drive, but usually we leave school by 7:00 am and return around 8:00 pm.
What do I do for lunch at a tournament?
The tournaments always sell lunch. It is generally pizza, sandwiches, etc. and can vary in quality. If you are picky, bring your own food. While we are doing virtual tournaments, you need to bring your own lunch to Bancroft.
What should I bring to the tournament?
Your binder if you are in a reading event. A water bottle. Snacks. Lunch. Something to work on between rounds (homework, a book, iPad, music, cards, etc.)
WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE AT A TOURNAMENT?
Dress nicely. Many competitors will be wearing suits and you want to look like you are taking this seriously. For men, at the very least you need to wear a dress shirt with tie and slacks. Even better is a sport coat or suit. No cargo pants. Wear dress shoes. For women, most will be wearing a pantsuit or a suit jacket and blouse with a skirt. Women should also wear dress shoes - either heels or flats are fine. For both men and women, you cannot wear or carry anything that identifies you as a Bancroft student.
How much money should I bring to a tournament?
None for virtual tournaments. Not much for in person tournaments. Generally the only money needed for a local tournament is what you would need to buy lunch, probably less than $10 depending on how much you eat. Overnight tournaments are a different matter and will be discussed in the week leading up to the tournament.
Who pays the fees for tournaments?
The fees for local tournaments ($6 per entry) are paid by the team with our budget. Overnight tournaments, which tend to be more expensive are paid for by each student. We do have money set aside to assist students with fees if paying would be a financial hardship. A student should never choose to not go to a tournament because the fees are too high; talk to Mr. Sheldon or Mrs. Sheldon first.
What if I have to drop out of a tournament that I signed up for?
It happens. Get in touch with Mr. Sheldon or Mrs. Sheldon as soon as you know you won't be able to come. If you drop out before the final registration deadline, it is a simple matter of just changing your entry online. If you drop after the deadline, you may owe the team the $6 entry fee and the $6 penalty fee that is charged for late drops. If you get sick, we don't make you pay the fee.
What are the rules at Tournaments?
Generally, all school rules apply. Specifically, there are only two rules, but we are very serious about them. First, you may not leave the school building without explicit permission. Second, if your parents pick you up from the tournament, you must tell Mr. Sheldon or Mrs. Sheldon personally once they arrive or give a signed note to one of the student captains. Violation of these rules could result in your removal from the team.
How do I qualify for states and nationals?
It's a little complicated; it may be easier just to talk to the Coaches or the Captains about this, but here goes...To qualify for states in most categories, you have to get a two "bids" to the State Tournament through your performance at regular, local MSDL tournaments. In order to get a bid, you have to have a cumulative score of 9 or less in your three preliminary rounds. In order to qualify for the NCFL National tournament you have to place in the top 5 in your event at the CFL qualifying tournament in February. In order to qualify for the NSDA National tournament, you have to place in the top 3 (usually) in your event at the NSDA District Tournament in February. (See "Terminology & Definitions" tab for explanation of abbreviations.)
Will Mr. Sheldon leave WITHOUT ME if I'm late on the morning of a tournament?
Yes.
(But he will feel a little bad about it...)
(But he will feel a little bad about it...)