One Act Event – General Rules

If you would like a printable copy of the One Act Performance and Technical Critique Sheets, click here.

Only one entry per troupe at the District level and at the State level is permitted.

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:
1-5 plays from affiliated schools performed at District 2 plays

6-10 plays from affiliated schools performed at District 3 plays
11-15 plays from affiliated schools performed at District 4 plays
15-20 plays from affiliated schools performed at District 5 plays
21 or more plays from affiliated schools performed at District 6 plays

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.
Load out/in: Only sponsor/cast and crew are allowed backstage at any time. All chaperones must remain away from the backstage area. The driver of the truck(if not sponsor) can stay with the truck but may NOT help sponsor/cast or crew load in or out.
Spiking the Stage: Troupes will need to request on their one act form if they want to spike the stage. If there is a request, they will be given 15 minutes to spike the stage without putting any set pieces on stage during the load in time. This time will be given to the sponsor during the one act letter sent to them after registration.
No set pieces can be stacked higher than 8'.
1. The time limit for the One Act Performance is 40 minutes. In addition to this, to facilitate set-up troupes may take up to 5 minutes to “set to the wings” by moving scenery from the 6’ x 9 ‘ box to any position offstage or in the wings. Technical crew members and actors may move to their positions at this time. The five minutes begins and ends at the direction of the Festival Stage Manager (FSM). The FSM will confirm that the troupe is at places and announce “Troupe 88888 may take the stage” and the play and official timekeeping begin. When the play is over the set must be cleared with all troupe members off stage. The troupe’s designated crew member will call “CLEAR” and the official time will end. In short, 5 minutes to set to the wings, then 40 minutes to perform the play and restore to the wings.
No costumes or makeup may be applied before entering the dressing room.
The use of smoke, fire, candles, fog effect, haze or flame of any kind is prohibited. No fly system, cyclorama, or follow spot may be used. An electrical outlet will be available stage left and stage right. Properly rated extension cords must be provided by the troupe.
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.
AT STATE: There will be a sound system to include a minimum of: 3 floor mics, one hand held mic, a CD/MP3 player and communications system (3 head sets). AT DISTRICTS: Stage Sound will be provided based on the limitation of the available venue.
One Act Plays must be directed by the troupe sponsor or troupe member.
No director/sponsor or chaperone for the performing troupe will be allowed backstage when the official time begins.
There will be two state appointed adults placed backstage for safety and supervision at State Festival.
There is a one-year performance moratorium on plays presented at the district and state level the previous year.
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.
The troupe MUST supply 5 programs for the judges; listing complete names of cast members and characters. The program’s purpose is to frame the production for the judges and to clearly identify individual students. Advertisements may not appear in the program. Programs may be provided by the troupe to audience members at the performance.
The cast must be the same that performed at district. Extenuating circumstances should be referred to the State Director at the State Level.
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.
A 15 minute time period will be allotted for oral critique following each play. The oral critique will be for cast/crew and sponsor only.