Drama Competition

Logistics

The Drama Competition will be live – online, following the schedule that will be sent to schools in early April. The area for the performance should measure no larger than 20 ft. wide by 15 ft. deep. Please tighten the dimensions of the performing area, if possible, so the visibility and audibility of the characters are optimized as much as possible.

When filming for the Virtual 2021 L.E.S.T. the ‘live streaming’ needs to be from a ‘still place.’ The person operating the camera should either put the camera on a tri-pod or a desk (if from a computer device) so that there is not any ‘bumpiness’ to the production. (Note: It would be wise to film every practice and review after each rehearsal, so the ‘live streaming’ is enhanced). Also, please be aware of the lighting used so the ‘live picture’ is enhanced and not diminished. Backdrop should be as simple as possible for less distraction. Props are encouraged.

How to Participate

Each school should indicate on the L.E.S.T. Registration Form their intention to participate in the Drama Competition. Each school should also submit a program page electronically to Mary Schuldheisz ([email protected]), which lists the title of the play, the cast list, the school’s name, and any other pertinent information. You are encouraged to use student artwork on this sheet. The L.E.S.T. will create an electronic program from these program pages for the drama performance. The program will be available at cui.edu/lest.

Requirements

1. Schools must clear royalty issues with the play's agent. The L.E.S.T. is not responsible for any royalty infractions or royalty payments. We strongly encourage you to contact the publishing house (Samuel French, Anchorage Press, etc.) to determine whether royalties are applicable. Be sure to inform them that this is a juried competition with educational outcomes and that no admission will be charged.
2. Props and costumes are encouraged.
3. It is suggested that you should use understudies for any actor or actress who may find themselves in the position of needing to decide between performing on the stage or participating in another L.E.S.T. event or if they are absent on the day of the production. THE SCHEDULE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE CHANGED!!!!
4. A script of your play will need to be sent electronically to Mary Schuldheisz at [email protected] by 4/15/2021 for the adjudicators.

Guidelines for the Selection of Scene or One-Act

1. It should be a contemporary script (post-1930).
2. It must be no longer than 20 minutes in length. (The performance will be halted at 20 minutes.)
3. No musicals or original scripts are allowed.
4. There will only be 5 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to take down the set for the performance. Choose and plan accordingly.