Key Elements of the 4-H Performing Arts Presentation

In a 4-H performing arts presentation, the youth delivers a performance of their choice to the audience. The presentation begins with an introduction of the performance and connection to their 4-H experience. After the performance, the youth summarizes key points or steps to the performance and provides a closing statement.

Specific guidelines on how to deliver a performance are detailed below. Please review the General Guidelines for more details.

Timing a 4-H performing arts presentation begins when you introduce yourself and your topic. It stops at the end of the closing summary. The question section of the demonstration is not considered part of the presentation time.

Introduce Yourself

• Give your name, 4-H age, years in 4-H and 4-H club or group to which you belong:

“Hi, my name is Jack Frost, I am 18 years old, I have been in 4-H for 10 years and I am an Independent 4-H Member in Washington County.”

Introduce Your Topic

• Catch your audience’s interest and then give your topic title:

“Today I will be performing a choral version of a monologue from Hamlet, by William Shakespeare.”

Optional Variation

• As an alternative, you can give your catchy introduction, introduce yourself, and then give your topic title.

“To be or not to be – that is the questions we hear in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. But have you ever heard this famous monologue performed as a song? Well, today is your lucky day. Hi, my name is Jack Frost. I am 18 years old and I have been in 4-H for 10 years. I am an Independent 4-H member in Washington County and today I am going to perform a self-composed choral version of the monologue.”

Connection to 4-H

• Connect your 4-H experience to your presentation: How have you used your head, heart, hands, and/or health? What are your future goals connected to the topic? This is a personal statement.

“Participating in 4-H Public Speaking has helped give me the confidence to get on stage and perform my songs in from of a group of people.”

or

“I want to compose film scores one day. The communication skills my 4-H leader has taught me will be very helpful in making sure I’m on the same page as the director.”

Body

• Now you get to share your performance with the audience. This is the main section of your presentation and is the “meat” of the presentation. Be sure to show your enthusiasm for your topic and connect with the audience.

Summary

• Finally, wrap up your presentation by summarizing the performance and share a closing statement. This is where you can share why you chose the performance and what your audience takes away from it.

“I hope this interpretation of Hamlet has inspired you to explore more of Shakespeare’s works.”

The timed portion of the presentation ends here.

Ask for Questions

• Now you get to answer any questions your audience may have. This is where you really get to show what you know and be honest about what you don’t know as well.

First, ask for questions:

“Are there any questions?”

Once asked a question, repeat it so that all may hear:

“The question was how long have I been composing my own music.”

Now answer the question to the best of your ability:

“I started composing music two years ago. This is the longest piece of music I’ve composed.”

When there seems to be no more questions, make sure:

“Are there any more questions?”

And now for the conclusion, and don’t forget to THANK your audience for their attention:

“If there are no more questions, that concludes my presentation. Thank you!”

And now you know how to do a performing arts presentation the 4-H way!

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