One-Act Supplement or Alternative #
Thespys are individual, pair, and small group (3-16 students) performance and technical presentation ratings-based (non-comparative/competitive) contests — inspired by auditions — governed by standards established by the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA). WISDAA administers two Thespys contests: (1) a virtual practice in October, and (2) State Festival Thespys & Auditions, which can earn high school students qualification to the Thepsys contest held at the International Thespian Festival (ITS)*. Middle Level students may participate in both, but will not earn qualification to ITS.
* In order to participate in the ITS, students must be inducted into an EdTA member school-based troupe, but that can be done after they earn Thespy qualification.
Irrespective of whether a school is participating in the One-Act Play contest and/or has or plans to have membership in the EdTA, an advisor/director may register students in Thespys as an additional, enrichment opportunity.
Categories Overview #
| Category | Students | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance Categories | |||
| Acting-Solo | 1 | ≤ 3 min. | Performance of two contrasting theatrical monologues (1 character/play; ≤1 chair safely used). |
| Acting-Duet | 2 | ≤ 5 min. | Performance of one scene from a play (each participant in 1 role; ≤2 chairs safely used). |
| Acting-Group | 3-16 | ≤ 5 min. | Performance of one group scene from a play (each participant in 1 role; ≤1 table/≤6 chairs safely used). |
| Musical Theatre Dance-Solo | 1 | ≤ 5 min. | Dance performance from a musical theatre scene. |
| Musical Theatre Dance-Duet | 2 | ||
| Musical Theatre Dance-Group | 3-16 | ||
| Musical Theatre Performance-Solo | 1 | ≤ 5 min. | Singing and acting performance from published score written for musical theatre. |
| Musical Theatre Performance-Duet | 2 | ||
| Musical Theatre Performance-Group | 3-16 | ||
| Technical Categories | |||
| Costume Construction | 1 | 5-8 min. | Present a realized execution for one costume, plus portfolio, for a published theatrical work. |
| Costume Design | Create and present 5 color costume designs, plus portfolio, for a published theatrical work. | ||
| Lighting Design | Create and present a lighting design/plot, plus portfolio, for a published theatrical work. | ||
| Makeup Design | Create and present 5 character renderings and a makeup portfolio for a published theatrical work. | ||
| Scenic Design | Create and present a set design scale model up to three unique scenes/locations, plus portfolio, for a published theatrical work. | ||
| Sound Design | Create and present a sound design of sound effects/cues, plus portfolio, for a published theatrical work. | ||
| Stage Management | Create and present a prompt book as part of a portfolio, for a published theatrical work. | ||
| Theatre Marketing | Create and present a marketing campaign as part of a portfolio, for a published theatrical work. | ||
| Other Creative Categories | |||
| Playwriting | 1 | n/a | Student writes one original short play (30 minutes or less). Collaborative works or adaptations are not permitted, nor are plays that include music, lyrics, or dialogue written by anyone other than the submitting writer. |
| Short Film-Live-Action | 1 | 5-8 min. | Create an original film, either as an individual or as part of a student group. |
| Short Film-Animated | |||
| Short Film-Documentary | |||
