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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

  • Adjudicated using the Thespy Awards Rubric.

  • 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.

  • Title Page should include the following

    • Title, Playwright, Playwright's Email​

    • School Name, Thespian Troupe #, Troupe Director's Name and Email

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

  • Adjudicated on a scale of 1 to 4.

  • Clear relationship of characters to each other.

  • Characters should be vivid and three-dimensional.

  • Characters should be named.

  • An age range for characters should be indicated.

  • Include a brief physical description of each character.

PLOT DEVELOPMENT

  • Adjudicated on a scale of 1 to 4.

  • Clear Beginning, Middle, End.

  • Exposition, Inciting Incident, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Conclusion.

EFFECTIVE DIALOGUE

  • Adjudicated on a scale of 1 to 4.

  • Active (versus narrative).

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GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Plays will be read and critiqued by a playwriting committee comprised of professional playwrights and/or playwriting instructors.

  • On the form, please indicate if the play is to be considered for PDA, Thespian or both adjudications.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • For PDA, up to the "top" six plays will be recognized, with the top three performing during the festival.

  • The PDA President will notify schools in ample time. (No later than the re-opening of school in January.)

  • For Thespy Award recognition, only ONE playwright will be recognized on any given script- the first one listed on the Title Page.

  • 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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