MAGNUM OPUS

Welcome to the 2026 Magnum Opus International Speech and Drama Competitions! The competitions are produced under the administration and management of the Foresight Leadership Foundation. Our mission is to further promote speech and drama education for non-professionals by creating opportunities for youth and amateurs around the world to perform at world-class venues! Winners of the 2026 competition will have the opportunity to perform in the bright lights of New York City’s famous Carnegie Hall in November TBA.

This competition gives amateur performers the opportunity to show off their passion, talent and master the art of public speaking. Winners will be invited to perform a piece selected by judges on a world-class stage. Special awards, scholarships or medals may be bestowed based on the adjudicating panel.

We have successfully held and showcased eight competitions in the last ten years and are hoping to continuously encourage amateur & student performers to showcase their talent. Students enter our competition by submitting their recordings online, which will be adjudicated by a panel of highly qualified and independent judges. The winners will then be selected to perform at the showcase in New York. Additionally, a private workshop will be held for all winners the day after the showcase where they get to work with an experienced drama professor from New York University’s Tisch School of Arts. This will be an extremely invaluable experience, so please don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity!

Adjudication Results: Only winners will be invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in Phase 2
June 30th 2026

Confirmation of Showcase Attendance & Showcase Fee Deadline
July 8th 2026

Carnegie Hall Winner's Showcase in New York City
November 14th
(rehearsals in the morning)

Masterclass Speech & Drama Workshop at New York University
November 15th
(day after the Showcase)

Age categories include:

Middle School (Age 11 - 14)
High School (Age 15 - 18)

Adjudication:
We have a team of hired judges who will adjudicate all entries. We do not require judge submissions.

PHASE ONE: ONLINE VIDEO ENTRY

Complete video entries shall include:

Successful submission of video recording materials via link to any of the following online video platforms, such as YouTube, Google Drive or Vimeo.
Pieces must be memorized.
In the “Piece Bibliography” section, submit one (1) typed copy of the piece.

Note: The onus is on the Entrant to ensure proper formatting of recorded materials and viable Internet links. For example, an Internet link that fails to connect to the intended video will not be considered. The Entrant is also responsible for ensuring that any applicable terms of use or other restrictions imposed with respect to use of the online video platform are complied with.
The materials submitted should be a fair representation of the Entrant's abilities. Upon submission, all materials become the sole property of the Society and will not be returned to the Entrant for any reason.

PHASE TWO: WINNERS SHOWCASE AT CARNEGIE HALL
Only winners will be notified/invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in Phase 2 through the listed coach email on tabroom.
Complete Showcase entries shall include:

Successful submission of Acknowledgement form and confirmation of participation in the Awards & Winners' Showcase online form.
Successful submission of a 6”x4” professional-looking digital photo of each individual Winner, as well as a biography (not to exceed 150 words; to be edited at the discretion of the Society).
Successful submission of Publicity Release and Travel and Assumption of Risk and General Release online form.
Received $600.00 USD Showcase Fee.

Winners' Certificates, awards and recognition will be given only to the performing winners who stay until the end of the Showcase recital. No certificates or special awards will be mailed.
Winners who choose not to perform at the Awards & Winners' Showcase for any reason shall be disqualified and shall forfeit any award, certificate, or recognition deemed by the Society as worthy to bestow. Winners are also not allowed to perform at the Showcase if the payment and required forms are not sent to the Society by the postmark deadline.

The Awards & Winners' Showcase for winners of the 2026 competition is to be held at:
Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall
Date:November TBA
154 West 57th Street
New York City, New York

Policies and Legal:
https://www.magnumopusfestival.org/resources/policies-and-legal.php

Event Descriptions:

Dramatic Performance
A monologue, soliloquy, duologue, or scene (not Elizabethan or Jacobean), where speakers are characters. Entrants should approach the performance as actors: by embracing the language and deportment of the character portrayed. Selections should be judiciously edited to reflect the number of characters speaking while maintaining sense.
Time Limit: 6 mins for HS, 5 mins for MS

Informative
Considered an unpublished discourse with the general purpose information or demonstration, written by the Entrant and delivered in a style that feels extemporaneous, appropriate to the imaginary circumstances, and suitable to its specified audience.
Time Limit: 6 mins for HS, 5 mins for MS

Original Oratory
Considered an unpublished discourse with the general purpose of persuasion, information or demonstration, written by the Entrant and delivered in a style that feels extemporaneous, appropriate to the imaginary circumstances, and suitable to its specified audience.
Time Limit: 6 mins for HS, 5 mins for MS

I will keep a copy of this form for reference. *

YES

We are signing up with the understanding that my child will work to be ready by the tournament date. If we choose to drop out because my child is not ready that will be considered when making assessments for future classes. *

YES

I understand that if I fail to drop the tournament before the deadline that I will still be responsible for the fees of both my son or daughter, along with that of his or her partner and the fines. *

YES

I understand that if payment is not received we won't be registered and our spot will be given up to someone else. *

YES

I confirm that I have completed all necessary paperwork for this tournament. *

YES

I understand that The Golden State Academy has no control over tournament entries other than the initial sign up. I understand that my child's priority will be based on either the last time I signed up OR the date paid, whichever is latest. *

YES

I understand that my child must check in and check out periodically at the tournament with the coach and that if I do not my child will be barred from participating in following tournaments. This is to ensure coaches can see where students are at competitively and to give any initial feedback for improvement. *

YES

I understand that I can check my entry status through tabroom.com. *

YES

I am a consenting adult. I understand that by submitting this form I agree to all that has been covered. *

YES

MAGNUM OPUS INTERNATIONAL SPEECH AND DRAMA COMPETITIONS

22 May 2026 for speech link submission deadline

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MAGNUM OPUS​ INTERNATIONAL SPEECH AND DRAMA COMPETITIONS