Festival of Dionysus Lip Sync Battle

As a class we will be re-creating our own version of the Festival of Dionysus. You will be
tasked with creating a Lip Sync Mash-Up. You will be put into teams of 2 or 3 in this team you
will choose 2 or 3 songs depending on the number of group members. Each group member is
expected to lead at least one song. You will need to memorize at least 1 minute or more of the
song and know the blocking and choreography that you choose.

Guidelines

What is a Lip Sync?

Lip sync (synchronization) is an expressive art that requires synchronized movement of the
mouth with the words in a song. It requires movement, creative expression, choreography
(movement), practice and patience. You do NOT actually sing!

What Material Do You Need?

 Group Name
 Lyrics to your song
 Copy of the selected and approved song
 Costume (Required---I am NOT providing these for you... but you can take a look in the
costume closet.)
 Props (Optional)

Song Selection Tips

 Absolutely NO curse words! No exceptions! (No “beeping out” inappropriate words or

content.) If a “clean” version exists...use it! If not, choose a different song.
 NO references toward violence, alcohol/drugs or “the birds and the bees”. No
exceptions!
 Overall, use common sense! If you think it might be inappropriate or “on the edge”, do
not use it!
 Upbeat songs work much better than a slow ballad.
 Rap and heavy metal do not work well for this assignment.
 “Oldies”, parodies (think Weird Al); songs from musicals, and humorous songs work
well. If the song has a story to tell or a “gimmick”, it gives you something to work with.
  You may divide songs up among performers. (One person sings a verse then all sing the
chorus, another sings a verse then all sing the chorus, or everyone sing everything...etc.)

 The Teacher always has the final word on the song choice. (Trust me, I will be fair and
explain to your specific reasons why a song will not work if I veto it.) This is not about
your favorite music style that you listen to in your own time! This assignment is to
highlight your performance that makes it seem as if YOU are performing the song.

Hints

 If you work in a group, pick one that you work well with. Cooperation and listening to
each other are key points to the success of your lip sync.
 EVERYONE in the group MUST have an equal opportunity to “sing.” Make sure it is
not one person doing the majority of the lip sync while the others are just in the
background.
 Use your class rehearsal time wisely!
 Make sure you have your music, costumes and props in on time! This allows you
maximum rehearsal time on your song. * Carefully plan your costume choices and any
necessary props. Make sure that they enhance your performance not distract from it.
 In order to present a great lip sync, you must be willing to put in a lot of time
memorizing the lyrics, creating the choreography and rehearsing the overall
performance!
 Remember that this is a LIP SYNC performance. This is NOT a “Concert video”,
“Dance routine”, or “Air Band jam session.” If the dancing or instrument “playing”
outweighs the performance...revise your plan!
 Don’t use fake microphones. They block your mouth.
 You must be willing to over-exaggerate your mouth movements and facial expressions
 HAVE FUN!!! If you get into the performance, so will your audience.

4 (10pts)
Rehearsal and preparation are obvious
throughout performance. It is clear
that great thought was given to the
facial expressions & movements used.
Preparation
Performance looks polished; choices
of facial expression and gesture make
sense. Props/costume pieces are used
to help portray song.
All group members participate fully in
the rehearsal process as well as the
performance. Members appear to
work well together onstage. All
Participation participants look engaged onstage.
Members take the performance
seriously and do their best work.
Facial expressions are used
throughout entire piece. Faces are
clear and help to convey the emotion
Facial
of the song they have picked. Facial
Expression
expressions look specific and are
defined.
Gestures are used appropriately
throughout the entire piece. Gestures
are specific and help to convey the
meaning of the song. Gestures are
Gestures
thought out and make sense. Gestures
are clear; the actor commits to making
the gestures.
Performance meets all criteria: 60
Performance
seconds, no inappropriate content, no
Criteria
use of the voice.
Festival of Dionysus Lip Sync Rubric
3 (9 pts)
Rehearsal/preparation is
mostly obvious. Occasionally,
movements/facial expression
seems like it not planned.
Performance does not look
fully polished.
Group members participate in
the rehearsal and
performance, but do not give
full effort. Sometimes actors
appear not engaged on stage.
Members occasionally break
character/do not take piece
seriously. Not their best work,
but good attempt.
Facial expressions are used
through most of the piece.
Faces are mostly clear and do
a good job convey the
meaning of the song.
Sometimes do not look
specific or defined.
Gestures are used
appropriately through most of
the piece. Gestures
sometimes seem like they
were not thought out or do
not help convey the meaning
of the song. Actor mostly
commits to the gestures.
Performance meets most of
the criteria.
2 (7 pts)
Rehearsal/preparation are
sometimes clear. Gestures and facial
expressions often seem unplanned
or erratic. Performance sometimes
looks practiced.
Some group members do not
participate in performance or
rehearsal or give little effort. Actors
rarely seem engaged onstage. Actor
often breaks character and does not
take their work seriously. Far from
their best work.
Facial expressions are used
occasionally in the piece. They are
often unclear or do not convey the
meaning of the song.
Gestures are used occasionally in the
piece. They sometimes make sense
with the song. The actor sometimes
commits to them.
Performance meets some of the
criteria.
1 (6 pts)
It is clear that there was
little to no serious
rehearsal. Movements and
facial expressions are
random, sporadic, and
erratic, or look like they
are done in the moment.
Group members rarely
participate in rehearsal or
onstage. Little to no
engagement, often breaks
character. Lack of attempt
to engage in project.
Facial expressions are
rarely used and they rarely
help convey the meaning
of the song.
Gestures are rarely used,
and/or they rarely help
convey the meaning of the
song. Actor rarely commits
to making the gestures.
Performance meets little
of the criteria.