Individual Events

Individual Events

General Rules National Individual Events (NIES) is an educational program that offers Thespians the opportunity to receive constructive feedback on prepared theatrical material and technical designs. The performance Individual Events include: Monologue Duet Acting Group Acting Solo Musical Theatre Duet Musical Theatre Group Musical Theatre

General Rules The technical Individual Events include: Costume Construction Costume Design Lighting Design Scenic Design Short Film Sound Design Stage Management Theatre Marketing

General Rules Acceptable material for all Individual Performance Events: Published scripts written for the theatre ONLY. If the participant is using a piece that is also a movie, the performance must be from the play/musical, not the movie script. Songs from a musical that have been written for the theatre (regardless of its previous publication as a classical or popular song e.g., Forever Plaid, Mamma Mia, etc.). It s difficult to address every situation in this document, but fundamentally, the guide is that the piece must either: Have publisher permission (NOT author-only permission); or Be available for sale in a libretto, play, vocal selection, or musical score.

General Rules Unacceptable material for Individual Performance Events: Poetry Fiction Scripts or songs from films Scripts or songs from television Stand-alone monologues found on the internet or in monologue books Popular songs not used in a published work for the theatre Classical songs not used in a published work for the theatre Props or costumes - including the use of hair, nonprescription glasses, earrings or other personal items.

Monologue One Performer Two Contrasting Pieces from a published script Only one character from each play may be used Be sure to secure performance rights Under 3 Minutes Total Introduction must include both pieces Entrant s Name Troupe Number Selection Titles Playwright s Name Must wear all black No props, costumes or theatrical makeup One chair

Solo Musical One Performer One Song from a published script written for theatre Songs written for film or television or popular pop songs are not permitted Under 5 Minutes Background music must be provided on a CD or MP3 No live accompaniment or a capella singing is permitted Introduction must include Entrant s name Troupe Number Title of Selection Playwright/Composer s Name Must wear all black No props, costumes or theatrical makeup One chair

Duet Musical or Acting Two Performers Both have to be actively involved in the song/scene One Song/Scene Must be from published works written for the theatre Pieces written for film, television, books or any other medium are not permitted Be sure to secure performance rights for group acting Under 5 Minutes Background music must be provided on a CD or MP3 No live accompaniment or a capella singing is permitted Introduction must include Entrants names Troupe Number Title of Selection Playwright/Composer s Name Must wear all black No props, costumes or theatrical makeup Up to two chairs

Group Musical or Acting 3 16 Performers All have to be actively involved in the song/scene One Song/Scene Must be from published works written for the theatre Pieces written for film, television, books or any other medium are not permitted Be sure to secure performance rights for group acting Under 5 Minutes Background music must be provided on a CD or MP3 No live accompaniment or a capella singing is permitted Introduction must include Entrant s names Troupe Number Title of Selection Playwright/Composer s Name Must wear all black No props, costumes or theatrical makeup Up to six chairs One table

Costume Design One Designer Design for a published play written for the theatre Five Color Renderings No finished costumes are permitted 8 Minute Presentation with a 4 minute Q&A 10 x 15 or 11 x 17 display board with 8 10 figures ½ binder with additional information Must wear all black The introduction to the presentation must include only the entrant s name, troupe number, title of play, and playwright. A thirty-second oral play synopsis should be prepared as part of the presentation.

Costume Construction One Designer You must choose a pattern that is currently available for purchase Must be a fully constructed item and entirely original For a millinery option, the entrant may choose to create a hat using a pre-existing hat blank or use the text From the Neck Up by Denise Dreher to pattern and construct a hat Itemized expense sheet and receipts must be mounted on board All materials may not exceed $100 (excluding pattern) For millinery, receipts may not exceed $50 20 x 30 display board with a collage of the process 8 Minute Presentation with a 4 minute Q&A Costume displayed on a hanger or in a box Must wear all black The introduction to the presentation must include only the entrant s name, troupe number, title of play, and playwright. A thirty-second oral play synopsis should be prepared as part of the presentation.

Lighting Design One Designer A design for one published play written for the theatre ¼ or ½ Light Plot, Conceptual Visualization, Magic Sheet ½ binder with additional information 8 Minute Presentation with 4 Minute Q&A Must wear all black The introduction to the presentation must include only the entrant s name, troupe number, title of play, and playwright. A thirty-second oral play synopsis should be prepared as part of the presentation.

Scenic Design One Designer A design for one published play written for the theatre (full play, not just a scene from the play) Ground Plan, Model and/or Perspective Rendering (model must be brought to conference pictures of the model are not acceptable) ½ binder with additional information 8 Minute Presentation with 4 Minute Q&A Must wear all black The introduction to the presentation must include only the entrant s name, troupe number, title of play, and playwright. A thirty-second oral play synopsis should be prepared as part of the presentation.

Sound Design One Designer A design for one published play written for the theatre Speaker Plot, Block Diagram, Design Statement, CD Be sure to have a back up CD! 8 Minute Presentation with 4 Minute Q&A Must wear all black The introduction to the presentation must include only the entrant s name, troupe number, title of play, and playwright. A thirty-second oral play synopsis should be prepared as part of the presentation.

Theatre Marketing One Designer A design for one published play written for the theatre and presented by the school ½ binder with additional information 8 Minute Presentation with 4 Minute Q&A Poster, Programs, Press Releases, Promotional Project, Budget Must wear all black The introduction to the presentation must include only the entrant s name, troupe number, title of play, and playwright. A thirty-second oral play synopsis should be prepared as part of the presentation.

Stage Management One Entrant Must be from a realized production in school or community theatre Prompt Book and relevant paperwork in a three ring binder 8 Minute Presentation with 4 Minute Q&A Must wear all black The introduction to the presentation must include only the entrant s name, troupe number, title of play, and playwright. A thirty-second oral play synopsis should be prepared as part of the presentation.

Short Film One Director May be a collaboration Original Concept No Copyrighted Music Under 5 Minutes - including opening title screen and final credits Material deemed disruptive or obscene may result in a lower rating or disqualification New rubrics have been added for Documentary and Animated For an example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmnz_rqrmas

Additional Info If you are using a piece from a published play that is also a movie, the piece MUST BE from the published play. Judges will mark final times on the score sheet. They will also mark any infractions (not wearing all black, use of props). The tab room will determine disqualifications. Performances that exceed the time limit by 30 seconds will be stopped by the judges. Black shoes are now required. Double check rights. Neil Simon now requires prior approval and fee.

Additional Info For complete information, please read the NIES Guide and the Red Light/Green Light list at http://www.mothespians.com/individual-events

General Rules - ITF Qualifying for the National Individual Events To qualify for NIES at the International Thespian Festival, entrants must receive an overall assessment rating of Superior at their Chapter Conference/Festival or at a similar qualifying event for their chapter. Inclement weather In the event that weather prevents entrants from traveling to the Chapter s qualifying event, a school administrator must provide written documentation to EdTA stating that entrants were prevented from attending the Chapter event because the administration canceled all travel due to inclement weather. EdTA must receive this written documentation within the two weeks following the qualifying event. When this letter has been received, entrants may follow the procedure for schools that do not offer Individual Events.

General Rules - ITF 1. Entrants who qualify for Individual Events through participation in a Chapter Conference/Festival must present exactly the same work at both the chapter and national levels. 2. Substitutions are not allowed. Entrants who qualified at a Chapter Conference/Festival and who are listed on the chapter qualifier form are the only ones qualified to perform at ITF. 3. However, in the category of Group Musical and Group Acting, drops will be allowed, but no substitutions are permitted in any category.

For more information or sample rubrics for Individual Events, go to: http://www.mo-thespians.com/individual-events