Newmarket Voice Festival

Syllabus 2026

28th Annual Newmarket Voice Festival Syllabus

Speech Arts and Drama Classes
With the exception of original poetry and public speaking, all selections must be from:
published works, plays or monologue anthologies

Stand-alone monologues from “free” websites (monologuearchive.com, ace-your-audition.com, dramanotebook.com, stagemilk.com, etc.)

Poetry from published sources and collections, public domain, (poets.org, famouspoetsandpoems.com, etc.)
Participants must bring the book/published source for use by the adjudicator. For “free” online monologues, bring a printed text which cites the author and website source. When original content, bring a printout of the text for use by the adjudicator.
All selections should be age-appropriate and language/content should be suitable for ALL ages and audiences.
NEW: Actors may enter any of these categories multiple times with material that has not previously been performed at the Festival, but a separate entry and fee is required for each selection.
*** If a selection is under two minutes performance time, participant may choose a second selection from any speech category.

Monologues
There are three types of monologues:

monologues that address an audience directly

soliloquies spoken as if the character is alone (revealing inner thoughts)

speeches delivered to another character

Monologue from Movie, T.V. or Musical
Entry Fee $35
A choice of monologue from a movie, t.v. show or musical.
Own choice of one selection(s). Memorization is required. 5-minute time limit. A text must be provided for the adjudicator.

Class	Description
MM01	Open
MM02	21 and under
MM03	18 and under
MM04	16 and under
MM05	14 and under
MM06	12 and under
MM07	10 and under
MM07	8 and under

Monologue Other Than Shakespeare - Solo
Entry Fee $35
Selection must be a scene depicting one character from a published play or published anthology of monologues. Scene may be abridged so the selection includes only the words of one character. A text must be provided for the adjudicator. Memorization is required.
5 minute time limit.

Class	Description
MO01	Open
MO02	21 and under
MO03	18 and under
MO04	16 and under
MO05	14 and under
MO06	12 and under
MO07	10 and under

Shakespeare Monologue - Solo
Entry Fee $35
Own choice of a scene or speech from any play by William Shakespeare. Scene may be abridged so monologue includes only the words of one character. Memorization is required. A text must be provided for the adjudicator. 5 minute time limit.

Class	Description
WS01	Open
WS02	21 and under
WS03	18 and under
WS04	16 and under
WS05	14 and under
WS06	12 and under

more Speech Arts and Drama Classes