By JOHN SIMMONDS
Hays Post

The Hays Arts Council and area schools are preparing for an annual contest.  The Famous Figures Project gives Ellis County fifth-graders a chance to research and portray a famous historical figure.

HAC Executive Director Brenda Meder told Hays Post while most students and teachers will begin their preparations mid-semester, quite a few will begin planning for this contest now.  She added that fifth-grade students who attend home-based schools also are welcome to enter the contest.

Students will choose a person to be the focus of the project, conduct research about the life of that individual, and portray the famous figure through costume, demeanor and monologue in a one person play. After the three-minute performance, students will then be asked an open-ended question to be answered in character. Meder said the goal is to gauge his or her level of understanding of the character and the impact that person had on society.

“If students have thought about their character at all in the course of their research, they’ll be able to answer if they have the poise and the comfort level,” she said. “Instead of asking Amelia Earhart about a specific flight, it might be just asking her how she thinks her escapades have advanced the role of women.”

Each fifth-grade classroom is able to submit two contestants for the county competition. The panel of judges will only know entries by the figure he or she is portraying, not by school or name. Meder said this is done to ensure each student is given fair consideration without taking into account outside factors.

Below are the rules that were submitted to area schools by HAC. The county competition will take place May 2 at Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the FHSU campus.

“Famous Figures” is a competition open to fifth-grade students in Ellis County. Students present themselves in character and costume as a famous person in history.

Each fifth-grade classroom is allowed two contestants – to be determined however you choose (by the students, teachers, judging panel, etc.). Classroom competitions prove very popular and rewarding when done as an entire class project.

Students must arrive in general costume and/or makeup – minor accessories or simple details can be finalized in the “green room” offstage area. (arrival time will be announced later)

Each presentation will be made in costume, performing as the character she/he has chosen to portray. Any historical character is eligible – many instructors tie the choices to a particular class project: famous authors; early American history; United States presidents/leaders; religious, military, civil rights, medical and scientific leaders; musicians, actors, artists; etc. Fictional characters are NOT eligible. Encourage students to think creatively and to select someone whose personal attributes, characteristics & accomplishments they admire.

The performance is to be approximately three (3) minutes (deduction after 3 ½ minutes).Minimal props are allowed if needed – a chair & small table will be available (students are responsible for anything else).

Following each performance, the judges will ask a couple of simple, general “interview” questions of each “character.” Students need to remember to respond as that character.

Each entry is to be one person performing as one character – no duet performances are eligible
(ex. – Wright Brothers as one entry)

Deadline for the submission of the two (2) classroom entries is 3:00pm Thursday, April 24. BUT, we also ask that you contact us by March 26 with a confirmation as to whether you plan to participate or not. The Hays Arts Council number is 625-7522 – or you can email to [email protected].

Presentation times will be arranged and confirmed with your school on Tuesday, April 29. Substitutions are allowed in cases of illness or emergency, but we ask that the substitution call be made as soon as possible.

All contestants performing on May 2 will be awarded engraved medals with the 1st through 5th place finishers also receiving trophies. The announcements will be made immediately following the competition and the judges’ decisions.