Playwriting
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Standard Elements
Cover Page
Synopsis
Character List
Sample First Page

For a printable copy of the playwriting guidelines listed on the right had side, click here.  You will need to have Adobe Acrobat on your computer to read this fine.

Playwriting Rules
  1. The script must be the work of one student OR the collaborate work of no more than two students.
  2. The text must contain dialogue, and have a minimum of two characters
  3. The script submitted must be from 15 pages minimum to a maximum length of 30 pages.
  4. Four copies of the script must be submitted by the Festival deadline.
  5. Scripts must be typed or word-processed according to the Florida State Thespian guidelines. All printed text must be in the Courier font.
  6. The script will be comb or spiral bound, with a white or black hard stock cover and back OR bound in a duo-tang folder.
  7. The script will be printed on white 20 lb. paper.
  8. The first page of the script will be the TITLE PAGE, including information relating to the title, playwright(s), sponsor, troupe number, school address, and completion date, and will be arranged according to the Florida State Thespian guidelines.
  9. The second page of the script will be the SYNOPSIS PAGE, including information relating to the title, playwright(s), character breakdown (male/ female), and a forty to sixty word summary of the play, and will be arranged according to the Florida State Thespian guidelines.
  10. The third page of the script will be the CHARACTER PAGE, including a list of the characters in order of appearance with a 10 word or less description of each character, and will be arranged according to the Florida State Thespian guidelines.
  11. The fourth and successive pages of the script will be the TEXT PAGES, and will include only the actual stageplay and will be arranged according to the Florida State Thespian guidelines.
  12. The script will contain only pages specified by the Florida State Thespian guidelines.
  13. A script that is improperly formatted is in violation of the specified Florida State Thespian guidelines and is subject to disqualification prior to adjudication.
  14. Judges may make comments in the margins of the script, on the evaluation form and/or during the verbal adjudication.
  15. The playwright must provide readers from his/her own troupe for the stage reading. The evaluation will include five (5) minutes of a staged reading and ten (10) minutes of verbal adjudication. The staged reading will be used as an aid for the playwright, and does not affect the final rating of the script.

© Florida State Thespian Society, Michael J. Higgins, State Director.