2023 MARYLAND THESPIAN FESTIVAL

PRODUCTION
REQUIREMENTS & REGULATIONS

DIRECTING
The One-Act must be directed by either the Troupe Director or other member of staff at the participating school. Student-Directed productions are not permitted.

TIMING REQUIREMENTS & PROCEDURES
Each Troupe has 10 minutes to set up, 45 minutes to perform, and 5 minutes to strike. The performance, set-up, and strike are scored and must be done in full view of the audience. Any time not utilized is forfeited and cannot be used for additional set-up, performance, or strike time. Timing for set-up begins immediately after the Troupe Director or One-Act Stage Manager says "go" to the Backstage Supervisor. Once the first 10 minutes have passed, regardless of if the Troupe has fully set or not, all cast and crew must immediately end set-up and move to places for the top of the show. Timing for the performance begins as soon as the first action (either written in the text, listed as stage direction, or inferred) is seen by the audience or when the first word or sound is heard by the audience, whichever comes first. Timing for the performance ends at the start of the curtain call, and timing for strike will begin immediately following the curtain call. Timing for strike will end when the Troupe Director or One-Act Stage Manager informs the Backstage Supervisor that strike is complete, the stage is inspected, and the Backstage Supervisor concurs. Official time will be kept by the Backstage Supervisor, who may, at their discretion, appoint additional timekeepers for verification.

BLOCKING / CHOREOGRAPHY
All blocking and choreography must remain within the designated playing space at all times. For clarity, students may not exit the playing space to enter the audience risers during the performance. Refrain from handling or touching any curtains or masking material.

SETS
Maryland Thespians closely follows the same performance guidelines as the International Thespian Festival. The following is a list of items that may be used as set pieces for your One-Act performance. These items will be provided to you and will not be required to fit inside of your 6 x 9 storage space at Festival. Should you wish to use more than the quantity available, you may do so, but you must provide any additional amounts yourself and arrange for their transportation to and from Festival at your expense. Please note that the items provided may not all match in color, size, or shape. Should your production be chosen as the Chapter Select, Indiana University, Bloomington will also provide these items in the exact quantities listed below. 

1 Sofa
1 Armchair
1 Wooden Desk
1 Wooden Chair
1 Table
6 Stools
8 Stacking Chairs
6 Cubes
4 Music Stands

Schools are not allowed to bring set pieces, including flats, other than the items listed above. Taping the floor is strictly prohibited. Emphasis should be on performance rather than technical aspects; for example, accentuate the acting, eliminate lavish sets, and reduce the number of props and costume changes. A set piece is defined as anything larger than a prop (see prop definition below). However, we understand that there may be a small item on rare occasions that may be integral to the story. Therefore, should your One-Act require the use of a small item that is integral to the telling of the story, you may bring it so long as it follows the regulations below: 

Fits inside your 6 x 9 storage space at Festival;
is not over 8 feet tall;
can fit through a door in one piece; and
does not require the use of any tools or require painting or assembly of any kind.

Please note the risk involved in utilizing an additional item other than those listed above. Should an item violate any requirements, or should a judge or Maryland Thespians find the item not integral to the narrative, you may be disqualified. Maryland Thespians holds the sole discretion to make this assessment.

PROPS / PROP WEAPONS
A prop is any item that will fit through a single door and is carried on or off stage in hand by a single person during the performance. Please limit the size and number of props brought for a performance. Only those items essential to the plot line of the play should be considered. All props must be obtained and provided by the performing Troupe. All prop weapons intended for stage use require written notice of approval by the Clarice and Maryland Thespians Technical Directors. Troupes may use a prop weapon if essential to the story so long as the following criteria are met: 

- The Troupe Director has informed Maryland Thespians and The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center of the need to use a prop weapon two weeks before Festival begins and has received approval;
- The weapon is manufactured by an entertainment properties manufacturer with proof of purchase;
- The prop weapon does not have any moving parts;
- Guns: No percussion firearms are allowed. Guns must be non-firing or blank-firing block barreled;
- Swords and Knives: Must be tempered steel or tempered aluminum, dulled, and free from tampering.

Please note that Maryland Thespians staff and/or venue staff will ask to inspect all prop firearms prior to the performance. All prop guns will be stored in a safe location by the venue until the performance. Students are not allowed to carry or transport the prop gun to or from the performance venue.

The use of aerosol products, powder, glitter, confetti, and other similar substances is not allowed. The use of non-staining foods and liquids is permitted so long as they are entirely cleaned from any and all surfaces prior to the expiration of your time to strike. Troupes must bring their own cleaning materials and supplies in the quantities necessary to achieve a full strike before the allotted time expires.

LIGHTING
General lighting is available (up/mid/down right, up/mid/down left, up center, center, and down center stage) as clear, cool, and warm washes. The use of a follow spot, additional lighting instruments, special lighting effects, or practicals is not allowed. Flashlights, however, when called for in the script and also utilized as a prop, are allowed. Flashlights cannot be used as mini-portable alternative sources of light. 

AUDIO /  VIDEO
Audio playback, amplification, and speakers will be provided. Groups may use any MP3 player, iPod, iPad, or laptop through the Festival sound system but must provide their own operator for the playback device. Troupes must supply the appropriate dongles or attachments required of their playback device for compatibility with a 3.5mm, 1/8 inch, or USB audio out connection. The use of microphones is not permitted. All music and/or sound effects must be contained within the 45-minute time limit. No audio or video recording is allowed. The use of loud noises (e.g., a gunshot) requires advance approval, a warning posted in the theater's lobby, and a pre-show warning announcement.

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Special effects such as strobe lights, haze, fog, smoke, pyrotechnics, open flame, candles, matches, butane lighters, or other potential fire hazards are strictly prohibited.

PROJECTIONS
The use of projections is allowed provided that all projections are made from within the acting area. Projections may not be made from the seating area. Control of the projectors during the performance must be from on stage, the stage left or stage right wings, or upstage of the acting area. Projection control is not available from the front-of-house booth. Troupes must provide their own projection screens, projectors, and power supplies.

DRESSING ROOMS
All troupes will be assigned a 30-minute make-up and costume period in a dressing room. All performers and technicians involved with the One-Act performance must remain in their assigned dressing rooms until permitted to leave and begin their set-up. No cast member may wear costumes or stage make-up before entering the dressing room. Troupes should avoid elaborate make-up, hair designs, or other pre-show needs.

BOOTH ACCESS
Students and adults assigned a role that requires them to be in the front-of-house booth may enter the booth during the 10-minute setup period.

TROUPE DIRECTOR/ADULT PARTICIPATION
Troupe directors and/or other adults registered for Festival may assist in any fashion but are not permitted to act or serve as a prop during the performance. While we encourage as much student operation of the production as possible, adults (including Troupe Directors) may operate the lighting and sound boards if necessary.