UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE Handbook for One-Act Play Directors, Adjudicators and Contest Managers 26th Edition THE UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE Notice of Non-Discrimination The University Interscholastic League (UIL) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs. See Section 360, Non-Discrimination Policy, UIL Constitution and Contest Rules. https://www.uiltexas.org/policy/constitution/general/nondiscrimination The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-dis- crimination policies: Dr. Mark Cousins University Interscholastic League Director of Compliance and Education 1701 Manor Road, Austin, TX 78722 Telephone: (512) 471-5883 Email: [email protected] For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit http://wdcrobcolp01. ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm or call 1-800-421-3481 or contact OCR in Dallas, Texas: Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education 1999 Bryan Street, Dallas, TX 75201-6810 Telephone: 214-661-9600, Fax: 214-661-9587, TDD: 800-877-8339 Email: [email protected] For further information write: State Theatre Director University Interscholastic League 1701 Manor Road , Austin, Texas 78722 512/471-9996 or 471-4517 (Office), 512/471-7388 (Fax) 512/471-5883 (MAIN UIL SWITCHBOARD) E-MAIL: [email protected] UIL WEB: www.uiltexas.org Cover Image: Portrait of Actress Sarah Bernhardt as Hamlet. Lafayette Photo, London June 1899 This image is available from the United States Library of Congress: Prints and Photographs division Public Domain-United States “In a well-planned One-Act Play Contest, there are no losers.” Handbook for One-Act Play AMENDED 26th Edition ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A very sincere thanks to Connie McMillan and to Elisabeth Sikes for their contributions. I also wish to thank the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials (TTAO) and the UIL Theatre Advisory Committee for their work on this edition. The League also wishes to thank the Texas Educational Theatre Association, Inc. the Inter- national Thespian Society, Luis Munoz and Lynn Murray for material contributions and continued support of the One-Act Play Contest. CONTENTS EDUCATIONAL THEATRE ............................................................................................................................. I THE CONSTITUTION ................................................................................................................................. 1 THE CONTEST CALENDAR ..........................................................................................................................3 GUIDE FOR DIRECTORS ..............................................................................................................................4 THE CONTEST STRUCTURE .....................................................................................................................4 STUDENT COMPANY SIZE ...............................................................................................................4 SPECIAL NEEDS ACCOMODATIONS ......................................................................................................4 THE DIRECTORS ..............................................................................................................................4 PROFESSIONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM ............................................................................................5 DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND ETHICS CODE ..................................................................................5 THE CONTEST .....................................................................................................................................7 PLANNING MEETINGS .......................................................................................................................7 LEVELS ..........................................................................................................................................7 ADVANCING AND AWARDS .................................................................................................................7 TIME LIMITS ...................................................................................................................................7 RULES VIOLATIONS ..........................................................................................................................8 CONTEST ADMINISTRATION .....................................................................................................................8 THE CONTEST MANAGER ..................................................................................................................8 ADJUDICATORS ................................................................................................................................8 CONTEST ENTRY PROCEDURES ..............................................................................................................9 SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS .......................................................................................................10 PROCEDURES FOR USING 8TH GRADERS ...........................................................................................10 FAILURE TO PARTICIPATE ................................................................................................................ 11 THE CONTEST PLAY ........................................................................................................................... 11 PLAY SELECTION POLICY ................................................................................................................ 11 STANDARDS ..................................................................................................................................12 PERFORMING PLAYS ON THE APPROVED LISTS ...................................................................................12 PERFORMING PLAYS NOT ON THE APPROVED PLAY LISTS, ADAPTATIONS AND ORIGINAL PLAYS ...................13 SCENIC ITEMS AND PROPERTIES REQUIRING APPROVAL .......................................................................14 LICENSING AND ROYALTIES ..............................................................................................................15 PERFORMING A "SCENES FROM" ......................................................................................................15 ADAPTATIONS ................................................................................................................................15 DRAMA LOAN LIBRARY ...................................................................................................................16 AID IN DIRECTING .............................................................................................................................17 FINDING OR HOSTING A FESTIVAL .....................................................................................................17 CAST AND CREW ASSIGNMENTS............................................................................................................18 REHEARSALS .....................................................................................................................................18 SCHOOL PERFORMANCES ....................................................................................................................19 EXTRACURRICULAR DEFINED ................................................................................................................20 THE CONTEST SITE ...........................................................................................................................21 MUSIC PLAYBACK AND INTERCOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT ....................................................................21 LIGHTING AT THE CONTEST SITE ......................................................................................................21 STORAGE AND DRESSING SPACE AT THE CONTEST SITE ......................................................................22 THE UNIT SET AND DOORS AND WINDOWS ...........................................................................................22 RULES FOR UNIT SET USE ............................................................................................................23 STANDARD DOOR AND WINDOW UNITS ..............................................................................................24 SPECIAL DOORS, ENTRYWAYS AND WINDOWS ......................................................................................25 SCENIC ELEMENTS AND PROPERTIES .....................................................................................................25 LIGHTING AND PROJECTORS ............................................................................................................25 SOFTGOODS .................................................................................................................................26 CAPITALS AND BASES .....................................................................................................................26 TREES, BUSHES, PLANTS AND OTHER LANDSCAPING ...........................................................................27 FENCE AND RAILING ......................................................................................................................27 STAGE PROPERTIES .......................................................................................................................27 SPECIAL ISSUES REGARDING PROPERTIES ..............................................................................................29