Competitions - Playwriting

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Pantomime

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Duet Musical

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Scene Design

Costume Design

Publicity Design

Playwriting

Student-Directed Scene

Costume Construction
Rules
from the "FLThespian" website.
 
  • There are examples of correctly formatted scripts on the site that make these many, many rules make a LOT more sense, so follow the link and print them out!  Here are some of the major ones:
 
  • The script must be the work of one student OR the collaborate work of no more than two students.
 
  • The text must contain dialogue, and have a minimum of two characters
 
  • The script submitted must be from 15 pages minimum to a maximum length of 30 pages.
 
  • You must include a title page, synopsis page, character page, and follow very strict margin and formatting guidelines for all pages.
 
  • A script that is improperly formatted is in violation of the specified Florida State Thespian guidelines and is subject to disqualification prior to adjudication.  
 
  • Judges may make comments in the margins of the script, on the evaluation form and/or during the verbal adjudication.
 
  • The student cannot submit a play that has been previously adjudicated by Florida State Thespians.
 
  • The playwright must provide readers from his/her own troupe for the stage reading. The evaluation will include five (5) minutes of a staged reading and ten (10) minutes of verbal adjudication. The staged reading will be used as an aid for the playwright, and does not affect the final rating of the script.
 
Best Scores ... Ever! (States)
 
Critics' Choice
 
no Troupe 6172 Thespian has ever earned this score in this event.
 
Superior
  • Kelly Herreid & Katy Jacobs, "Oh, About That" (2005)
    •
Excellent
  • Jessica Courchene & Chrissy Herreid, "Romance and You" (2012)
  • Lauren Vanhelden, "The Paper Butterfly" (2009)
  • Tanya Follick, "Who Let the Dogs Out?" (2004)
 
Judges' Criteria
 
  • Character: Developed and Consistent
 
  • Dialogue/Readability
 
  • Plot/Logical Progression
 
  • Stageability
 
Best Scores ... Ever! (Districts)
 
Critics' Choice/District Representative
  • Jessica Courchene & Chrissy Herreid, "Romance and You" (2012)
  • Vince Evangelista, "Lauren Vanhelden, "Lone Customer" (2011)
  • Paper Butterfly" (2009)
  • Mark Vicciardo "This Ring" (2009)
  • Tanya Follick, "Who Let the Dogs Out?" (2004)
Superior
  • Mark Vicciardo, "Jack" (2008)
  • Kelly Herreid & Katy Jacobs, "Oh, About That" (2005)
Excellent
  • Sarah Hudak, "Seeing" (2011)
  • Rachael Freeman, "The Moroccan Spoon" (2007)
  • Wes Ford, "X" (2006)
  • Kelly Herreid & Katy Jacobs, "Mars 3113" (2006)
Sponsor's #1 Advice

This sounds lame, but the format is your biggest initial roadblock.  The formatting will take a full 30-50% of your time, depending on your typing speed.  In the professional world, there are expensive programs and services that will automatically format your scripts for you.  That's how much nobody likes to use the format.  When it's done though, it looks awesomely professional.

Ok, beyond that basic story creation rules apply:

  • have at least one character the audience can relate to
  • have a clear central conflict
  • use SUBTEXT where possible and save TEXT for your high points or turning points
  • have at least one other person read it to make sure it makes sense to someone else.  Listen to your volunteer!!
Thespians' Advice

There is no recorded Thespian advice for this event. 

 
If you are a Thespian who has competed in this event, please send your advice to Mr. Gaudet to be included on this page!