This electronic form must be SUBMITTED with the fee of $15 per entry PAID and an ELECTRONIC version of the script UPLOADED and RECEIVED by THURSDAY,
December 5, 2024.
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The sponsor has the option of submitting original scripts with this Submit Script form OR on the School Registration form.
Do NOT submit a script on both forms as you will be charged twice.
Schools must register by the December deadline in order to participate in the FESTIVAL.
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School Registration link will be active from September 27
until December 5, 2024.
Original One-Acts
Due Thursday, December 5, 2024
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Entries in the Thespys Playwriting category will be submitted at the same time as the PDA Original One-Act Competition.
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PDA ORIGINAL PLAYWRITING AWARDS:
First, Second, Third are invited to perform at the festival using a modified READER'S THEATRE format.
Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth (or Honorable Mentions) are awarded at the discretion of the judges
Original One-Act Play Entries & ADJUDICATION INFORMATION
Original One-Act Plays should conform to the following criteria and will be judged with these guidelines:
FORMAT
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Adjudicated using the Thespy Awards Rubric.
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A title page, cast of characters, description of setting (Time/Place) and appropriate stage directions should be included. Entries should be typed, and pages should be numbered.
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Title Page should include the following
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Title, Playwright, Playwright's Email​
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School Name, Thespian Troupe #, Troupe Director's Name and Email
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CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
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Adjudicated on a scale of 1 to 4.
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Clear relationship of characters to each other.
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Characters should be vivid and three-dimensional.
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Characters should be named.
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An age range for characters should be indicated.
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Include a brief physical description of each character.
PLOT DEVELOPMENT
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Adjudicated on a scale of 1 to 4.
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Clear Beginning, Middle, End.
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Exposition, Inciting Incident, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Conclusion.
EFFECTIVE DIALOGUE
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Adjudicated on a scale of 1 to 4.
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Active (versus narrative).
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GENERAL INFORMATION
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Plays will be read and critiqued by a playwriting committee comprised of professional playwrights and/or playwriting instructors.
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On the form, please indicate if the play is to be considered for PDA, Thespian or both adjudications.
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Any number of original, one-act plays may be submitted by a school; but teachers are encouraged to exercise discretion in selecting plays to be submitted. For each play submitted there is a $15.00 entry fee.
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For PDA award recognition, plays may be written by no more than three (3) authors in collaboration. PLAYS WRITTEN BY A CLASS OR BY A GROUP (of more than 3) ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.
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For PDA, up to the "top" six plays will be recognized, with the top three performing during the festival.
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The PDA President will notify schools in ample time. (No later than the re-opening of school in January.)
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For Thespy Award recognition, only ONE playwright will be recognized on any given script- the first one listed on the Title Page.
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Any script that receives an average score in the Superior range will be recognized as Superior and passed on to Nationals
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DEADLINE for ORIGINAL SCRIPTS: Thursday, December 5. Please SUBMIT an electronic version of the Original One Act by clicking:
FORMAT for Presenting the Original One-Acts at the Festival:
The emphasis on the PDA Original One-Act competition is on the writing; therefore the presentation at festival follows a Reader's Theatre format instead of a main stage production. Schools will not need to provide a full set, and costuming can be either all-blacks or a simple use of color to represent characters. The use of hand-held props are allowed, and blocking should be at a minimal. Chairs or stools, small tables and music stands for scripts will be available from the host school. In order to accommodate more schools in the one-act festival, the Originals will be presented on Saturday in a studio setting instead of the main stage. Only the top three scripts selected by the playwriting judges will be presented at the festival.
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