Event Rules
Contrasting Monologues- Two one-minute contrasting monologues from two published plays. Neither monologue may exceed one minute. Students may introduce each monologue with title, playwright, and one sentence of pertinent exposition for each. The introduction will be part of the timed performance, which cannot exceed three minutes in its entirety. No costumes or hand props are allowed. A chair will be available. Judges may ask the competitor to repeat the performance of one monologue. This second performance will not be counted in the 3 minute performance time.
Shakespearean Monologue- A 15-20 line monologue from a Shakespeare play. The monologue can be sequential lines or one cut together from
a play scene. Students may introduce the monologue with title, act, scene and one sentence of pertinent exposition. The introduction is part of the timed performance, which must not exceed 1 minute. No costumes or hand props may be used. A chair will be available. Judges may ask the student to perform the monologue a second time.Duo Theatre- A 3-5 minute scene from a published play. The scene can be sequential lines or one cut together from the play. Students may introduce the scene with title, playwright, and one sentence of pertinent exposition. The introduction, set up and breakdown will all be part of the timed performance, which cannot exceed five minutes. Costumes and hand props may be used (no scenery). Two chairs will be available.
Ensemble Theatre- A 3-5 minute scene from a published play. The scene can be sequential lines or cut together from one specific scene with 3 or more students playing the characters. Students may introduce the scene with title, playwright, and a brief description of pertinent exposition. The introduction, set up and breakdown will all be part of the timed performance, which cannot exceed five minutes. Costumes and hand props may be used (no scenery). Two chairs will be available.
Solo Musical Theatre- Two vocal cuts from two different published musicals (or published pieces from a song cycle or cabaret) which demonstrate contrasting styles of performance: one up-tempo and one ballad or one serious and one comic, for example. Each SMT cut should be limited to 32 vocal bars. The cut may include up to eight additional measures of intro and play out of accompaniment. Each entire cut should not exceed 40 bars total. The entire performance including slate and songs must not exceed 4 minutes.
A live accompanist must be provided by the entrant. A piano will be available. Students may not perform a cappella or use a recorded track. No costumes, hand props, or set pieces may be used. A chair will be available. The student may make a brief introduction including titles of pieces and titles of shows.
Duo Musical Theatre- A song from a published musical in which two actors sing within the performance. A live accompanist must be provided by the entrants. A piano will be available. Students may not perform a cappella or use a recorded track. Costumes and hand props may be used (no scenery). Two chairs will be available. Students should introduce the song with the title and a brief description of pertinent exposition. The entire performance including introduction and setup/break down may not exceed 5 minutes.
Small Ensemble Musical Theatre- A song from a published musical sung by 12 actors. All entrants must sing within the performance. A live accompanist must be provided by the entrants. A piano will be available. Students may not perform a cappella or use a recorded track. Costumes and hand props may be used (no scenery). Two chairs will be available. Students should introduce the song with the title and a brief description of pertinent exposition. The entire performance with setup and break down must not exceed 5 minutes.
Large Ensemble Musical Theatre- A song from a published musical sung by 13+ actors. All entrants must sing within the performance. A live accompanist must be provided by the entrants. A piano will be available. Students may not perform a cappella or use a recorded track. Costumes and hand props may be used (no scenery). Two chairs will be available. Students should introduce the song with the title and a brief description of pertinent exposition. The entire performance with setup and break down must not exceed 6 minutes.
Theatrical Design & Stage Management- Choose the drawings, models, photographs, and examples of your work that show your best skill and range in costumes, lighting, sets, properties, stage management or any combination of these. Prepare a presentation of your work not exceeding three minutes. You may cover anything you like, but we suggest that you use the time to talk the adjudicator through your approach to a particular production or two. Design presenters should set up one hour before the design portfolio review begins. Each designer will receive half (4’) of an 8’ table on which to set up. Adjudicators will have time to look through the displayed work before presentations begin. All festival attendees are welcome to attend design presentations and discussions.
Performers and presenters who exceed the time and length limits, or otherwise do not adhere to event parameters, will be disqualified from competition for prizes.
• Student Registration: $25 per student
• Individual Event: $15 per event
• Duo Event: $15 per per partner per event
• Ensemble Event: $20 per ensemble per event
• Accompanist Fee: $45 per event accompaniment (individuals only- schools must bring their own accompanist)
• Visitor Pass: $15 each
• Meals on site: $9-$11 each
• Hotels: discounted rates
• Questions: secondarytheatrefestival@cita.org