Australian International Youth Drama, Speech & Debate Competition

Competition Overview

    • Public Speaking

    • Poetry Recitation

    • Drama Monologue

    • Storytelling

    Note: Participants may register for multiple categories.

    • May 1 – June 20, 2026: Online Preliminary Round

    • August 1, 2026: Melbourne Semi-Final, finalists announced on the day

    • August 2, 2026: Global Grand Final

    • Junior Group: 6–9 years, 2 minutes

    • Intermediate Group: 10–12 years, 3 minutes

    • Senior Group: 13–15 years, 4 minutes

    • Advanced Group: 16–18 years, 5 minutes

  • Competition Format: Online video evaluation

    Submission Requirements:

    • Video Format: Must be recorded in a single continuous take, with no editing or cuts.

    • Post-production: No filters, subtitles, background music, or post-production effects.

    • Filming Requirements: Stable camera and full-body framing are recommended.

    • Visibility: The performer must be clearly visible with adequate lighting.

    • Language & Content: English must be the primary language, and content must align with the competition theme and be age-appropriate.

    • Performance Guidelines: Memorization is encouraged. Younger participants may use minimal prompts.

    • Costumes & Props: Simple costumes or props are allowed.Submission Details: Deadline is June 20, 2026.

      File Naming Format:

      Name_Category_Age Group_Campus

      Submission:

      Please submit your preliminary round video through the submission form at the bottom of this webpage.

      Registration Fee: 10 AUD / PP

      Payment Details:

      Account Name: YOUTH ARTS AND CULTURES INCORPORATED

      BSB: 063245

      Account Number: 11191604

      Please upload your payment receipt together with your preliminary round video via the submission form below.

    • All participants will receive a professional judging report.

    • Finalists will be selected based on scores.

    • Results will be announced on July 1, 2026.

    • Location: Melbourne, Australia

    • Format: Live performance judged by a professional panel.

    • Language: English as the main language; bilingual elements are allowed.

    • Time Limit: Strictly enforced. 10% flexibility is allowed; overtime will affect scoring.

    • Props: Simple props are permitted; no large-scale stage setups.

    • Content: Original or adapted works are accepted. The theme should be positive and appropriate.

    • All participants will receive professional evaluation reports.

    • Top scorers will advance to the Grand Final.

    • The finalist list will be announced on August 1, 2026.

    • Location: Professional theatre, Melbourne, Australia

    • Time: August 2, 2026

    Competition Format:

    • Finalists perform live on stage before an international panel of judges.

    • Judging criteria include vocal delivery, performance, stage presence, and overall impact.

    • Final results are determined based on comprehensive scoring.

    Requirements:

    • Participants must comply with all stage safety and performance regulations.

    • Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards

    • Overall Championship Awards

    • Official certificates and trophies

    • Outstanding participants may receive international exchange opportunities

    • Voice: 20%
      Clarity, pronunciation, tone quality

    • Performance: 20%
      Expression, emotional delivery

    • Communication: 20%
      Confidence, fluency, audience engagement

    • Technique: 15%
      Rhythm, control, stage technique

    • Interpretation: 15%
      Creativity, understanding, originality

    • Overall Impact: 10%
      Stage presence, professionalism

August 1, 2026: Melbourne Semi-Final

Address: Caulfield City Hall - Theatre, 420 glen eira rd, caulfield vic 3162

August 2, 2026: Global Grand Final

Address: Caulfield City Hall - Auditorium , 420 glen eira rd, caulfield vic 3162

Meet Our Convenor and Adjudicators

DELYSE WEISZ

ADJUDICATOR

She is excited to play a role as convenor, hasing been an avid supporter since 1995, entering many award-winning students. She is a passionate advocate for Speech and Drama and Theatre in education as building blocks for confident, expressive and effective communication on stage and in everyday life.

She commitment to excellence and enthusiasm for the arts, will elevate the Australian international youth drama speech and debate competition to new heights, attracting participants and audiences from all over the region. She looks forward to celebrating the diverse talents of performers, providing a platform for both emerging and seasoned artists to shine.

ELI EREZ

ADJUDICATOR

Eli Erez is currently the Head of Performance at The King David School and has over 30 years experience as a Drama educator. He is a recipient of the Drama Victoria Life Member award for his contributions to Drama Education. He has worked in various roles for the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority including; Performance Examination Assessor for VCE Drama and Theatre Studies and Panel Member for the Top Class Theatre Studies Concerts.

Eli has facilitated workshops for various organisations including Drama Victoria, Melbourne Theatre Company and Malthouse Theatre. He has developed education resources for the Melbourne International Arts Festival, the Victorian Arts Centre and various independent productions including Jersey Boys, Come From Away and Wicked. Eli has also worked professionally as a director, writer, set designer, performer and puppeteer.

Lyndy Clarke

ADJUDICATOR

Lyndy Clarke is a highly respected drama educator, public speaking specialist, and experienced adjudicator. She has served as Head of Theatre at Caulfield Grammar for 26 years and is a Past President of Drama Victoria. She is also a board member of Drama Australia and the Director of Special Projects, Guidelines, and ADEM.

With training from RADA, experience as a VCE examiner, and a strong background in Shakespearean studies, theatre, and public speaking, Lyndy brings outstanding expertise to the competition. Her passion, professionalism, and dedication to the arts make her a valuable adjudicator for the Australian International Youth Drama, Speech and Debate Competition.

 Mark Ashmore

ADJUDICATOR

Mr. Mark Ashmore, Principal of Salesian College Chadstone. Mr. Ashmore has 26 years’ experience in secondary boys’ schools. He has extensive experience as a Principal and Deputy Principal leading students, staff and the community with integrity in learning and teaching, wellbeing, and global citizenship. He is currently serving as the President of Australian Pacific Salesian Principals Association, Member of Principals Association Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools, Associated Catholic College Principal Committee and is a Council

Speech Topic Selection Guidelines

  • Public Speaking — Prepared

    1. Why my pet (real or imaginary) is the best

    2. The day everything in my house came alive

    3. Why kindness is a superpower

    4. The best mistake I ever made

    5. If I could invent a new holiday

    Poetry Performance

    1. A.A. Milne – When We Were Very Young, Now We Are Six
      Gentle humour, rhythm, character voices.

    2. Kenn Nesbitt – The Armpit of Doom, My Hippo Has the Hiccups
      Modern, funny, child-friendly.

    3. Shel Silverstein – Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic
      Whimsical, imaginative.

    4. Michael Rosen – Quick, Let’s Get Out of Here!
      Great for expressive performance.

    5. Jack Prelutsky – The New Kid on the Block
      Strong rhythm and character.

    Published Storytelling（can write your own）

    1. Enid Blyton – Stories for Bedtime, The Wishing Chair

    2. Usborne Illustrated Stories series, e.g. Illustrated Stories for Children

    3. Grimm’s Fairy Tales, child-friendly retellings

    4. Margaret Mahy – The Lion in the Meadow

    5. Pamela Allen – Alexander’s Outing, Who Sank the Boat?
      Great for animated storytelling.

    Dramatic Monologues

    1. Michael Morpurgo – The Butterfly Lion
      Child monologue extracts.

    2. David Wood – Plays for Children, e.g. The Gingerbread Man, The Witches adaptation

    3. Deborah Patterson – Monologues for Kids

    4. Annie Fox – Short Monologues for Kids

  • Public Speaking — Prepared

    1. Why imagination matters more than ever

    2. The moment I realised I could do something difficult

    3. Why stories help us understand the world

    4. What I learned from a big failure

    5. Why everyone should try something new

    Poems

    1. Roald Dahl – Revolting Rhymes, Dirty Beasts
      Twisted fairytales, great for vocal play.

    2. James Carter – Hey Little Bug! and other collections
      Strong imagery and rhythm.

    3. Rachel Rooney – The Language of Cat
      Beautiful metaphors, accessible depth.

    4. Valerie Bloom – Fruits
      Caribbean rhythms, joyful performance.

    Duologues / Pair Scenes

    1. Roger McGough – The Great Smile Robbery
      Dialogue sections.

    2. David Wood – The See-Saw Tree, The Selfish Shellfish

    3. Annie Fox – Kids’ Two-Person Scenes

    4. Drama Notebook – Duologue Packs

    Storytelling

    1. Andy Griffiths – Just So Stories
      Retellings.

    2. Rudyard Kipling – Just So Stories
      Strong narrative voice.

    3. Roald Dahl – The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
      Selected stories.

    4. Shaun Tan – Tales from Outer Suburbia
      Atmospheric, imaginative.

    Published Dramatic Monologues

    1. Janet Stanford & Susan Ross – The Monologue Show: From the Black Lagoon

    2. Kerry Muir – Young Actors’ Monologue Book

    3. Deborah Patterson – More Monologues for Kids

    4. Plays by Mary Pope Osborne – Magic Tree House stage adaptations

    Published Duologues / Pair Scenes

    1. Roger McGough – The Great Smile Robbery
      Dialogue sections.

    2. David Wood – The See-Saw Tree, The Selfish Shellfish

    3. Annie Fox – Kids’ Two-Person Scenes

    4. Drama Notebook – Duologue Packs

  • Public Speaking — Prepared

    1. Why courage often looks quiet

    2. The power of starting again

    3. What teenagers wish adults understood

    4. Why creativity is a survival skill

    5. How small actions create big change

    Poems

    1. Carol Ann Duffy – New & Collected Poems for Children
      Character-driven, layered.

    2. Benjamin Zephaniah – Talking Turkeys, Funky Chickens
      Energetic, rhythmic.

    3. Brian Patten – Gargling with Jelly
      Emotional nuance.

    Storytelling

    1. Neil Gaiman – Smoke and Mirrors
      Selected age-appropriate stories.

    2. David Almond – My Name is Mina
      Extracts.

    3. Anthony Horowitz – Short Stories with a Twist

    4. Kate DiCamillo – The Tale of Despereaux
      Extracts.

    Published Dramatic Monologues

    1. Lindsay Price – Theatrefolk Monologue Collections

    2. Laurie Allen – Short Scenes and Monologues for Middle School Students

    3. Don Zolidis – The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon
      Extracts.

    4. Alan Haehnel – Competition Monologues

    Published Duologues / Pair Scenes

    1. Don Zolidis – The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon
      Duo scenes.

    2. Alan Haehnel – Scared Silly
      Comic duos.

    3. Lindsay Price – Scene Books for Teens

    4. D. M. Larson – Acting Scripts for Teens

  • Public Speaking — Prepared

    1. The moment I realised I had a voice

    2. Why failure is essential for growth

    3. The stories we tell ourselves — and how they shape us

    4. The difference between confidence and courage

    5. How creativity helps us navigate uncertainty

    Poems

    1. Hollie McNish – Plum
      Contemporary spoken-word style.

    2. Sarah Kay – No Matter the Wreckage
      Emotional, lyrical.

    3. Lang Leav – Love & Misadventure
      Accessible contemporary poetry.

    4. Simon Armitage – Selected Poems
      Strong imagery and subtext.

    Storytelling

    1. Ray Bradbury – The Illustrated Man
      Selected stories.

    2. Jhumpa Lahiri – Interpreter of Maladies
      Selected stories.

    3. Tim Winton – The Turning
      Selected stories.

    4. O. Henry – The Gift of the Magi and other stories

    5. Oscar Wilde – Short stories

    Monologues

    1. The Methuen Drama Book of Monologues for Young Actors

    2. Monologues from contemporary playwrights, rights required:

      • Simon Stephens

      • Lucy Prebble

      • Annie Baker

      • Nick Payne

    3. The Oberon Book of Modern Monologues for Women/Men

    4. The Kilroys List
      Extracts with permission.

    Published Duologues / Pair Scenes

    1. Oberon Books – Modern Duologues for Young Actors

    2. Nick Payne – Constellations
      Extracts.

    3. Simon Stephens – Punk Rock
      Selected scenes.

    4. Annie Baker – Circle Mirror Transformation
      Duo scenes.

    5. The Kilroys List
      Contemporary female-driven duologues.

  • Poems / Stories

    1. Poetry Foundation
      https://www.poetryfoundation.org

    2. PoemHunter
      https://www.poemhunter.com

    3. Storyberries
      https://www.storyberries.com

    4. Oxford Owl
      https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk

    5. American Literature
      https://americanliterature.com

    6. East of the Web — Short Stories
      https://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories

    Monologues / Duologues

    1. StageAgent
      https://stageagent.com/monologues

    2. Drama Notebook
      https://www.dramanotebook.com

    3. Theatrefolk
      https://www.theatrefolk.com

    4. Freescripts / Freedrama
      https://freedrama.net

Reminder

All topics for the three rounds are listed here.

Participants may choose from the provided topics for the Preliminary, Semi-final, and Final rounds.

It is recommended to select different topics for each round, as this helps judges better see the participant’s range and versatility.

Student Registration Information