This is the official WISDAA Theatre adjudicator program.One-Act Play contests involve subjective and standards-based evaluation of students in a fully produced play of up to 40 minutes. Coaches and/or adjudicators (judges) gain certification through training, and can report time spent as professional development. We offer an entirely online course for individuals adjudicating our one-act play series.
WISDAA is partnered with the Educational Theatre Association and its Wisconsin Thespians Chapter to provide programming that culminates with the State Festival. If – and only if – you are adjudicating the open Thespys or Thespian programming at the State Festival, please take the free associated course(s) below.
Adjudicators no longer recommend “Advance” nor “Stop,” nor overall school awards at State.
Adjudicators award points across several evaluation criteria, and the average of each adjudicator’s scores determines which shows advance to the next contest level.
Comments for each evaluation criterion should justify scores. Bear in mind: 3 = Proficient – meets expectations of questions in the criterion; not necessarily perfect; 2 = Developing – some elements are still progressing, but not finished; 1 = Minimal – most elements are unfinished and distract from the overall message to be conveyed by the production. ** The state festival utilizes a 5-point range
Average scores needed by at least two adjudicators: District → Advance to Sectional: 1.5+ Sectional → Advance to State: 2.3+ State → Awards (Direction, Ensemble, Technical, Overall/Critic’s Choice): 4.5+ Acting awards are still based on at least two nominations of individual actors.
