Festival dates
March 2027
The Speech and Drama date is still to be announced.
General rules, regulations, and information
Rules for Speech entries
Teachers, participants, and parents are responsible for knowing the syllabus and rules. Failure to follow the general rules results in disqualification, without a fee refund.
Working management
The Festival Committee manages the Festival. Questions not covered by the rules go to the Committee through the Secretary. The Committee's decision is final.
Eligibility
- Competitors must be bona fide residents of the Southern Interior of British Columbia.
- Classes are open to amateurs unless stated otherwise. An amateur's principal income is not derived from the discipline entered. The rule does not exclude choir conductors or bona fide music or dance students who teach to support their education, and it allows occasional arts income.
- A non-professional performer may enter according to the age guidelines.
- A previous first-place winner in a class with four or more competitors may not compete again in that same class. They must move to the next age group or grade to enter the same classification.
- A competitor may not reuse a selection with which they previously won.
- Age is measured as of December 31, 2026.
- Adults aged 23 and older may enter competitively or non-competitively, but are not eligible for scholarships or awards.
Entry information and scheduling
- All entries are submitted online and must be received by January 15, 2027.
- Payment is made using PayPal Pay Now during registration.
- Participants choose the correct class. Pieces must be performed as entered and cannot be changed. A selection entered in the wrong category receives adjudication only and no mark.
- Entry count and level determine class divisions. The Committee may change performance order, divide, add, combine, or withdraw a class.
- Preferential scheduling requests cannot be accommodated. Classes may run on any day of the week.
- No schedule changes are permitted after the program is completed. The official program contains timing and competition order.
- Competitive and non-competitive entries are selected in the registration form and scheduled separately. Non-competitive performers receive comments, but no mark, award, or scholarship eligibility.
Refund wording in the supplied PDF: the Entry Information section says refunds are not considered, while the Scheduling section gives an illness-only process. That process requires an application within 60 days after the discipline ends, a physician's certificate, and a $10 administration fee. Contact VPAF before relying on a refund.
Copyright and adjudicator copy
- Only original material or copies authorized by the copyright holder may be used.
- Give the adjudicator an original poetry book, play, literature source, or authorized copy.
- Unauthorized copying results in adjudication only, with no mark or scholarship qualification.
- A public-domain copy requires publisher confirmation and permission to copy.
- Before performing, give the Adjudicator's Assistant a clean copy or original source. Without it, the performance receives adjudication only and no mark.
- Do not send original Speech Arts selections with the entry.
Adjudication
- Do not exceed the class time limit. A performer who runs overtime is stopped and receives adjudication only, without a mark or placement.
- Dress so clothing does not offend or distract the adjudicator, performers, or audience.
- Teachers, participants, parents, and audience members may not communicate with the adjudicator without authorization before or during the festival. A participant may be disqualified for unauthorized communication by the participant, parent, or teacher.
- The adjudicator may stop a performance at any time. The decision is final. Do not address a protest or complaint directly to an adjudicator.
- A trophy or scholarship winner must perform at the Honours Concert if called by the Committee.
- Placements are not tied.
Venues and performance procedures
- Do not practise in a venue unless a room is specifically provided. Stay in designated festival areas.
- No food or drinks are allowed. Do not talk, enter, or exit during a performance. Silence mobile devices.
- Erase marks and notations from books. Arrive at least 15 minutes early.
- When called, give the book to the Adjudicator's Secretary before going to the performance area.
- Place props before being called when asked, and remove them after the performance.
Scholarships, awards, and protests
- Scholarship and award categories are set each year based on entries and adjudicator recommendations. Full 2027 details will be in the Festival program.
- Individual scholarship and award eligibility requires at least two competitive classes.
- Determination uses a student's top two marks of 85 or higher, excluding ensembles, and remains at the adjudicator's discretion.
- A formal protest must be submitted in writing to the Secretary during the Festival with a $30 fee. The fee is returned if the protest is upheld.
- A three-member Protest Committee appointed by the President hears the protest. Its decision is final.
Liability waiver
The Vernon Performing Arts Festival Society is not responsible for injury to a competitor or for loss or damage to instruments, equipment, props, or other personal property during the Festival. Acceptance of an entry releases the Society and its volunteers from related claims, demands, damages, actions, or causes of action.
Online registration
Check every entry before submitting
- Spelling and entry details are printed as submitted. No change or substitution may be made after registration or at the performance.
- Competitors and teachers are responsible for following the rules and for errors or omissions in an entry.
- Participant information: name, phone number, email, and birthdate.
- Teacher information: name and email.
- Entry information: full title and author, props when needed, and performance length.
- Payment is made online at registration.
Definitions
How the syllabus defines each form
Poetry
Any style may be used.
- Lyric: a short unified poem expressing the poet's experience and emotion, delivered in a relaxed stance without movement.
- Narrative: a poem that tells a story, often using dialogue.
- Dramatic: a character distinct from the performer and poet speaks and reveals personality and attitudes.
- Sonnet: traditionally 14 lines of iambic pentameter with a set rhyme.
Scene
A monologue from a published play, presented on stage by a performer assuming the language, movement, and dress of the original character.
Prose
From fiction, with a focus on the voice. The performer may stand or sit. It uses narration, description, and dialogue in a storytelling style, without acting it as a dramatic scene.
Non-competitive VPAF Speech
Non-competitive classes
Performers receive verbal and written adjudication and a participation certificate. No marks are given.
Ages 6 to 12
| Class | Time | Fee | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poetry | 3 minutes | $20 | Recite from memory any style of poetry within the time limit. |
| Prose | 3 minutes | $20 | Recite from memory a passage from fiction, including a picture book or novel, within the time limit. |
| Scene | 3 minutes | $20 | Present from memory a monologue from a published play within the time limit. |
| Shakespeare | 3 minutes | $20 | Perform a selection from Shakespeare's poetry or dramatic monologues within the time limit. |
Ages 13 to 17
| Class | Time | Fee | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poetry | 5 minutes | $30 | Recite from memory any style of poetry within the time limit. |
| Prose | 5 minutes | $30 | Recite from memory a passage from fiction, including a picture book or novel, within the time limit. |
| Scene | 5 minutes | $30 | Present from memory a monologue from a published play within the time limit. |
| Shakespeare | 5 minutes | $30 | Perform a selection from Shakespeare's poetry or dramatic monologues within the time limit. |
Ages 18 and older
| Class | Time | Fee | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poetry | 5 minutes | $30 | Recite from memory any style of poetry within the time limit. Introductions and transitions are not required. |
| Prose | 5 minutes | $30 | Recite from memory a passage from fiction, including a picture book or novel, within the time limit. Introductions and transitions are not required. |
| Scene | 5 minutes | $30 | Present from memory a monologue from a published play within the time limit. |
| Shakespeare | 5 minutes | $30 | Perform a selection from Shakespeare's poetry or dramatic monologues within the time limit. |
Group classes, all ages
| Class | Time | Fee | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Poetry | 8 minutes | $55 | Two or more performers recite poetry as a chorus. |
| Group Prose | 8 minutes | $55 | Two or more performers recite prose as a group. |
| Group Scene | 8 minutes | $55 | Two or more performers enact a scene from a play. |
| Group Shakespeare | 8 minutes | $55 | Two or more performers enact a scene from Shakespeare. |
Online Speech and Dramatic Arts
| Age | Time | Fee | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 to 12 | 3 minutes | $20 | Perform as many pieces as fit within the limit. Record the performance, upload it to YouTube, and receive written adjudication later. No introductions or transitions are required. |
| 13 to 17 | 5 minutes | $30 | Perform as many pieces as fit within the limit. Record the performance, upload it to YouTube, and receive written adjudication later. No introductions or transitions are required. |
| 18 and older | 5 minutes | $30 | Perform as many pieces as fit within the limit. Record the performance, upload it to YouTube, and receive written adjudication later. No introductions or transitions are required. |
Competitive VPAF
Competitive classes
Performers receive verbal and written adjudication and a placement certificate. These classes do not qualify a performer for Provincials. Enter a Provincial Junior, Intermediate, or Senior class for Provincial consideration.
- 1 to 3 competitors: first place is awarded.
- 4 competitors: first and second place are awarded.
- 5 or more competitors: first, second, and third place are awarded.
Ages 6 to 8
| Class | Time | Fee | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poetry | 4 minutes | $25 | Recite from memory any style of poetry within the time limit. |
| Prose | 4 minutes | $25 | Recite from memory a passage from fiction, including a picture book or novel, within the time limit. |
| Scene | 4 minutes | $25 | Present from memory a monologue from a published play within the time limit. |
| Shakespeare | 4 minutes | $25 | Perform a selection from Shakespeare's poetry or dramatic monologues within the time limit. |
Ages 9 to 12
| Class | Time | Fee | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poetry | 6 minutes | $35 | Recite from memory any style of poetry within the time limit. |
| Prose | 6 minutes | $35 | Recite from memory a passage from fiction, including a picture book or novel, within the time limit. |
| Scene | 6 minutes | $35 | Present from memory a monologue from a published play within the time limit. |
| Shakespeare | 6 minutes | $35 | Perform a selection from Shakespeare's poetry or dramatic monologues within the time limit. |
Ages 13 to 17
| Class | Time | Fee | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poetry | 6 minutes | $35 | Recite from memory any style of poetry within the time limit. |
| Prose | 6 minutes | $35 | Recite from memory a passage from fiction, including a picture book or novel, within the time limit. |
| Scene | 6 minutes | $35 | Present from memory a monologue from a published play within the time limit. |
| Shakespeare | 6 minutes | $35 | Perform a selection from Shakespeare's poetry or dramatic monologues within the time limit. |
Ages 18 and older
| Class | Time | Fee | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poetry | 6 minutes | $35 | Recite from memory any style of poetry within the time limit. |
| Prose | 6 minutes | $35 | Recite from memory a passage from fiction, including a picture book or novel, within the time limit. |
| Scene | 6 minutes | $35 | Present from memory a monologue from a published play within the time limit. |
| Shakespeare | 6 minutes | $35 | Perform a selection from Shakespeare's poetry or dramatic monologues within the time limit. |
Provincial consideration
Speech and Dramatic Arts classes
Enter one age category only: Junior, Intermediate, or Senior. A competitor may not enter multiple Speech and Dramatic Arts categories or multiple Public Speaking and Storytelling categories. Read the current Performing Arts BC syllabus at bcprovincials.com for complete Provincial rules.
Junior
Age: 11 to 13, with a minimum age of 11 as of December 31, 2026.
Time: 15 minutes.
Fee: $75.
- One Poetry selection
- One Prose selection
- One Drama selection
Intermediate
Age: 17 and under, with a minimum age of 12 as of December 31, 2026.
Time: 17 minutes.
Fee: $85.
- One Poetry selection
- One Prose selection
- One Drama selection
Senior
Age: 22 and under, with a minimum age of 15 as of December 31, 2026.
Time: 20 minutes.
Fee: $95.
All selections have a unifying theme. Introduce the theme first, then briefly explain each selection's connection. Perform the selections in any order.
- One Poetry selection
- One Prose selection
- One Sonnet
- One Drama selection
The minimum Senior age is waived for a competitor who previously won the Intermediate category at VPAF or at the Provincial level.