Rules for ALL Individual Events are as follows:
- The performance events offered at International Thespian Festival are Monologue, Duet Acting, Group Acting, Solo Musical Theatre, Duet Musical Theatre, and Group Musical Theatre. The technical events offered are Costume Construction, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Short Film, Sound Design, Stage Management and Theatre Marketing.
- Each entrant is permitted to participate in only one event.
- Entrants who qualify for NIES auditions through participation in a chapter conference must present exactly the same work at both the chapter and international levels. Other qualifying entrants are expected to present the works listed on their registration.
- Substitutions are not allowed. Entrants who qualified at a chapter conference and who are listed on the registration form are the only ones qualified to perform at Festival. However, in the category of Group Musical and Group Acting, drops will be allowed, but no substitutions are permitted in any category.
- No theatrical makeup is allowed in any event. Costumes are not allowed. NEW THIS YEAR: Entrants must wear all black clothing when performing or presenting their IE, so the judges can clearly tell an entrant is not wearing a costume. Clothing should be appropriate to the situation and should easily accommodate the action of a scene such as sitting, kneeling, dancing, lying down, etc. Students should also wear dark, preferably black, shoes. Students should refrain from wearing anything that might distract the judges, thus lowering their score.
- No props are allowed. This includes hand-held props.
- All performance events are limited to five minutes after the introduction. Monologue, which has a three minute limit, is the exception. All technical presentations will be limited to ten minutes for their presentation and an additional five minutes for questions. Any entrant who goes over the time limit will be disqualified.
- The introduction must only include the entrant’s name, troupe number, title of selection(s), and the name of the playwright, composer, or lyricist.
- For all music events, performers MUST use pre-recorded, non-vocal musical accompaniment. No live music is permitted. Accompanists are not permitted, and a-capella performances are not permitted. A CD player/MP3 player will be provided. However, performers are encouraged to bring their own CD player/MP3 player.
- Evaluation forms are available to NIES entrants to help them understand adjudication criteria. The forms can be found on the EdTA website or by contacting the NIES coordinator at the home office.
Thespian Festival National Individual Events (NIES) Showcase Guide 2012-2013 page 3 rev. October 1, 2012