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 One Act Event – General Rules

1. Scripts (including musicals) may be original works, from published material, or cuttings from full-length plays. Reader’s Theatre or chamber theatre is not allowed.
2. Proof of royalty must accompany registration. For cuttings written permission must be included as well.
3. The set must be able to store in a 6’ X 9’ area. All set dressings and props belong in the 6'x9' box except for costume accessories
4. Each troupe will Be given FIVE minutes to get from the off stage storage box to the wings.  During this same five minutes all technicians are able to get to their positions in the theatre.  After this five minutes when all are in places, the One Act Manager for the venue will ask the Student Stage Manager if all is ready.  Once the One Act Manager has received the “clear” from the Student Stage Manager, he will inform the Student Stage Manager that he/she “may start.”  Time will begin when the Stage Manager says "Go!" and time will end when the Stage Manager says, "Clear!".  No cues or action are allowed before or after these two calls by the stage manager.  All music must be contained within your 40 minute time limit.  In simple terms, you will given a 5 minute grace period to start - - then you will be going from your offstage box, doing the one act then back to your offstage box in 40 minutes.
5. If a school exceeds the FIVE minute preparation time, their FORTY minutes will begin immediately after this FIVE minute period.
6. No costumes or makeup may be applied before entering the dressing room. NOTE if a very elaborate hair-do or makeup is required, a written request must be place with the state director two weeks prior to the festival.
7. Please remember that the use of smoke, fire, candles, fog, haze or flame of any kind is prohibited. No fly system, cyclorama, or follow spot will be available.
8. AT STATE: There will be 6 main areas of light: DSL/DC/DSR and USL/UC/USR; along with complete stage washes in two colors: one warm/one cool.   AT DISTRICTS: Stage Lighting will be provided based on the limitation of the available venue.
9. AT STATE: There will be a sound system to include a minimum of: 3 floor mics, one hand held mic, a CD player, a cassette player, and a communications system (3 head sets).  AT DISTRICTS: Stage Sound will be provided based on the limitation of the available venue.
10. Only one entry per troupe at the District level and at the State level is permitted.
11. A one Act Play must receive an excellent or superior rating at the District level in order for it to perform at state. The number of one acts permitted to showcase at state will be determined by the following schedule:
    1. 1-5 plays from affiliated schools performed at District                         2 plays
    2. 6-10 plays from affiliated schools performed at District                       3 plays
    3. 11-15 plays from affiliated schools performed at District                     4 plays
    4. 15-20 plays from affiliated schools performed at District                     5 plays
    5. 21 or more plays from affiliated schools performed at District             6 plays
12. Any variation from this schedule will be determined by the space available at the state facility.
13. NOTE: SCHOOLS MUST BE AFFILIATED WITH  ITS AT THE TIME OF THE DISTRICT COMPETITION TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A STATE PERFORMANCE.
14. One Act Plays must be sponsor directed.
15. Each troupe is allowed 1 or 2 adults backstage at all times in a supervisory position only to guarantee student safety.  These adults may not touch the scenery or props or call cues unless it is an emergency. The director/sponsor may spike the stage, but is not allowed backstage once the time begins.
16. There is a one-year performance moratorium on plays presented at the district and state level the previous year.
17. Sponsors must select material for competition that they would willingly perform in a public forum in their own districts and that would be readily acceptable to their school board.
18. The playwright and publisher must be listed on the registration form and the show (district/state) program.
19. Programs may be provided by the troupe at the performance. The troupe MUST SUPPLY five programs for the judges; listing complete name of cast members and characters in order of appearance. Remember a program’s purpose is to help clarify the individual students, anything you can do to help distinguish each student is acceptable and encouraged; especially in ensemble acting pieces.  NO obvious advertising may appear in the program.
20. The cast must be the same that performed at district. Extenuating circumstances should be referred to the State Director at the State Level.
21. Adjudicator evaluation sheets will be given to the sponsor after closing ceremonies.
22. There will be a minimum of four judges at every level of competition: 3 judges in the house observing the actual performance and at least one judge to monitor all technical aspects.
23. A 15 minute time period will be allotted for oral critique following each play.  The oral critique will include all judges
24. A district is allowed to submit an alternate one act choice for state - - as long as this choice is confirmed BEFORE the State postmark deadline.  The alternate choice must still have received an Excellent or a Superior at the district level..