Dickinson State University (DSU) is excited to announce its inaugural Storybook Showdown, a creative storytelling competition open to both high school and DSU students. High school participants will compete for scholarship awards, 1st place: $1000, 2nd place: $750, and 3rd place: $500, while DSU students can earn cash prizes of $300 for 1st, $150 for 2nd, and $50 for 3rd.
The event invites students to perform a seven-minute monologue from their favorite book or an original story. Participants are encouraged to use costumes, props, sound effects, and their acting talents to bring their stories to life. The goal is to foster creativity, communication skills, and a love for storytelling.
Cassidy Venner, Graduate Assistant for the Theater Club, shared her enthusiasm, saying, “They provide a platform to showcase talent, push creative boundaries, and gain valuable experience. Events like the Storybook Showdown deserve to be celebrated and supported.”
Sarah Crossingham, assistant professor of education , added, “We have incredibly talented students on campus and in the area, especially in speech and theatre. This is a fantastic way to showcase those talents while encouraging strong communication skills.”
The Storybook Showdown will take place on April 23 at 1:30 PM in Stickney Auditorium on the DSU campus. Stories should be suitable for a general or young audience, and participants will perform from a provided, pre-written storybook with no alterations allowed.
Performers are encouraged to use voice modulation, character voices, gestures, facial expressions, props, costumes, and sound effects to enhance their storytelling. Each performance must be under seven minutes, and storytellers will be judged on creativity, clarity, audience engagement, and overall delivery.
All props must be safe and manageable, and participants are responsible for their own materials and equipment. A panel of judges will score each performance using a detailed rubric, and all decisions are final.
This exciting new event offers students a unique opportunity to express themselves, compete for prizes, and connect with fellow storytellers. Don’t miss the fun on April 23!