At each Festivention, competitions are held in each of the following categories. Money awards are presented at the closing RMTA Awards Assembly and many of the competitors display their talents during the Festivention activities.

NEW THIS YEAR!!!!

The Tech Olympics

Join the fun, either as a participant or as a spectator, cheering your team to victory!

The tech Olympics consists of five timed problems testing backstage skills and ingenuity. Teams confront lights which need to be hung and focused, costume and prop changes, knots and drops – all in a race against the clock.

The primary goal of the RMTA Acting Awards Competitions is educational. The secondary goal is to recognize and reward excellence in acting talent. The Awards competitions offer recognition in four separate categories: College/University Acting, Community Theatre Acting, High School/Youth Acting, and Musical Theatre performance. (See separate guidelines below for each.)

RMTA Youth Acting Competition

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In the Youth Acting category, the winner and Best Partner and their participating schools are awarded plaques. Competitors are selected from RMTA Participating or Associate Production Showcase entries. In the case of there being either an RMTA Associate or Participating Production, the RMTA adjudicator may nominate up to two Acting Award competitors. The producing institution may nominate up to one Acting Award competitor. All competitors must become registered participants of FESTIVENTION in order to compete.

GUIDELINES:

1. Competitors may select material suitable for their castability (age range, character type, etc.) that consists of two contrasting pieces (comedy/drama, modern/classical) not to exceed 5 minutes, including the time it takes for an introduction. It is strongly recommended that the competitor select a scene that includes an acting partner; however, this is not required.

2. Competitors must secure permission to perform the monologues and scenes from play publishers and/or authors or their agents. A performance license or proof of permission in writing must be submitted to the Acting Competition Coordinator prior to the Competition. Written proof must also be submitted for material taken from publich domain. Dramatists Play Service and others allow for some of their material to be used without paying a royalty: for details concerning this, contact the Acting Competition Coordinator.

3. One prop may be used in the competitor's presentation, but no costumes. The competitors should wear clothing that is similar to recommended audition garb. A table and two chairs will be provided for the competitors on-site.
EVALUATION CRITERIA

A. MaterialSelection

There should be a distinct contrast between the two selections, in character and, possibly, in genre and style, to demonstrate your dramatic range of acting talent. Remember that contrast in genre does not necessarily mean contrast in character. Remember also to choose genres you are highly skilled at presenting.

Both the monologue and the scene should move to a conclusion and contain elements that demonstrate your characters’ changes in objectives, actions, and/or emotional conditions (or states of being). Your characters should have strong intentions rather than merely tell a story.

The selections should be appropriate for your age, your skill level and maturity, as well as for the nature and purpose of the competition. Remember, judges are not favorably impressed with pieces with a “shock value.”

B. Staging

Selections should be creatively and appropriately staged according to their styles and genres.

Your acting choices should be consistent within the theatrical “world” of each piece.

C. VoiceandDiction

Use your vocal instrument clearly and articulately, with honesty, creativity, and appropriate nuance, according to the style and genre of the piece.

If a piece demands you absolutely must use dialect, employ it flawlessly.

D. Nonverbal Expression

Use all of your physical instruments clearly, with honesty and creativity.

E. Monologue and PartnerWork

For increased communication of your intentions, your monologue should have only your character speaking, as if the audience were the listening character, rather than employ the use of a listening “invisible” character “located” stage left or right.

The interaction between you and your partner should be clear, honest, creative, and appropriate.

Your scene should put the focus on your character, rather than on your partner’s character.

RMTA Community Acting Competition

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The RMTA Community Acting Competition offers up to a $500 award. The performer judged Best Partner is awarded up to $100. Competitors are selected from RMTA Participating or Associate Production Showcase entries. In the case of there being either an RMTA Associate or Participating Production, the RMTA adjudicator may nominate up to two Acting Award competitors. The producing institution may nominate up to one Acting Award competitor. All competitors must become registered participants of FESTIVENTION in order to compete.

GUIDELINES:

1. Competitors may select material suitable for their castability (age range, character type, etc.) that consists of two contrasting pieces (comedy/drama, modern/classical) not to exceed 5 minutes, including the time it takes for an introduction. It is strongly recommended that the competitor select a scene that includes an acting partner; however, this is not required.

2. Competitors must secure permission to perform the monologues and scenes from play publishers and/or authors or their agents. A performance license or proof of permission in writing must be submitted to the Acting Competition Coordinator prior to the Competition. Written proof must also be submitted for material taken from publich domain. Dramatists Play Service and others allow for some of their material to be used without paying a royalty: for details concerning this, contact the Acting Competition Coordinator.

3. One prop may be used in the competitor's presentation, but no costumes. The competitors should wear clothing that is similar to recommended audition garb. A table and two chairs will be provided for the competitors on-site.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

A. MaterialSelection

There should be a distinct contrast between the two selections, in character and, possibly, in genre and style, to demonstrate your dramatic range of acting talent. Remember that contrast in genre does not necessarily mean contrast in character. Remember also to choose genres you are highly skilled at presenting.
Both the monologue and the scene should move to a conclusion and contain elements that demonstrate your characters’ changes in objectives, actions, and/or emotional conditions (or states of being). Your characters should have strong intentions rather than merely tell a story.
The selections should be appropriate for your age, your skill level and maturity, as well as for the nature and purpose of the competition. Remember, judges are not favorably impressed with pieces with a “shock value.”

B. Staging

Selections should be creatively and appropriately staged according to their styles and genres.
Your acting choices should be consistent within the theatrical “world” of each piece.

C. VoiceandDiction

Use your vocal instrument clearly and articulately, with honesty, creativity, and appropriate nuance, according to the style and genre of the piece.
If a piece demands you absolutely must use dialect, employ it flawlessly.

D. Nonverbal Expression

Use all of your physical instruments clearly, with honesty and creativity.

E. Monologue and PartnerWork

For increased communication of your intentions, your monologue should have only your character speaking, as if the audience were the listening character, rather than employ the use of a listening “invisible” character “located” stage left or right.
The interaction between you and your partner should be clear, honest, creative, and appropriate.
Your scene should put the focus on your character, rather than on your partner’s character.

RMTA Musical Theatre Competition

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RMTA offers up to $500 to the winner of the Musical Theatre Acting Award and $100 to the Best Partner in this category. This acting competition is open to anyone who is a registered participant of FESTIVENTION.

GUIDELINES:

1. Any registered member for FESTIVENTION is eligible to participate. Participants should fill out a Musical Theatre Competition Entry form and also submit an Approval of Rights form* along with the entry form to the Competition Coordinator. (All forms are available on the FORMS page.)

2. Participants may compete with two different musical selections that contrast in style. Candidates may perform both selections as solos, or for one of the numbers they may include a partner in a duet. (Candidates are encouraged to work with a partner.) Materials should also match the actor’s type and ability. The combined performance time is limited to 5 minutes including introduction and transitions. All competitors will use the piano and accompanist provided. The participant will have one minute to clarify tempos and musical notations with the accompanist. The sheet music should be clearly marked, easy to read, and mounted on card stock. NO Pre-recorded music will be allowed.

3. Successful performances should include a mixture of an introduction, transitions, dialogue, singing, and staging (dance is allowed if appropriate). The candidate should choose material that demonstrates her/his best singing and acting ability. Preparation and rehearsal of the selections should focus on imagery, subtext/inner monologue, truthful and heightened emotion, objectives/obstacles, physical energy, characterization, and vocal expression and technique.

Please note: Candidates are responsible for securing performance rights and showing proof of rights at the competition. See the third page of the application for a list of shows from which pieces may not be selected. Competitors who fail to secure and prove performance rights will be automatically disqualified.

Also note: If the host institution holds an ASCAP license, or if the institution you are from has an ASCAP license, then no approval of rights are needed unless you are singing an Andrew Lloyd Webber song.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Mental Energy

Imagery – Does the actor exhibit complete sense images? Does the actor project those images in a way that draws the audience into the world of the character?

Subtext/Inner Monologue – Does the actor demonstrate a clearly developed inner monologue? Does the actor communicate this monologue to the audience?

Emotion – Does the actor release truthful emotions that appear appropriately heightened for the material?

Objective/Obstacles – Does the actor make clear choices? Does the actor clearly reveal the character's objectives as he/she works through the obstacles?

Physical Energy

Kinesthetic Awareness – Does the actor demonstrate control and/or mastery of his/her physical instrument, including facial and bodily expressions?

Physical Expression – Does the actor effectively use the body and face to release, express, and energize the mental energy?

Characterization – Does the actor demonstrate complete and consistent character choices based on the given circumstances of the literature and history of the character (including the character’s thoughts, intuitions, feelings, and sense images that the actor reveals through physical behaviors)?

Vocal Energy

Vocal Expression – Does the actor’s articulation, placement and inflection effectively release, express, and energize the mental energy?

Musicality/Style – Does the actor perform pitches, rhythms, and tonal qualities in an aesthetically effective way with an appropriate performance style?

Technique – Does the actor use proper relaxation, alignment, breath, vocal placement and diction in performance of the piece?

Performance

Introduction – Does the actor deliver a clear, well prepared introduction that communicates necessary information and reveals the actor's personality to some degree?

Transitions – Does the actor provide motivated, clear, smooth transitions throughout the performance? Do the transitions from one piece to another flow smoothly and transform the actor completely?

Time Limits – Does the actor perform the material within prescribed time limits?

Material

Appropriateness – Does the actor perform material well suited for his/her abilities and type?

Versatility – Does the actor present diverse material that demonstrates a full range of the actor's abilities, thus demonstrating the actor's versatility?

Partner’s Evaluation Only

Support - Does the partner enhance and support the performance of the principal actor?

RMTA Design Competition

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The RMTA Design Competition includes an exhibit of scenery, costumes, lighting and property designs by artists of the Rocky Mountain region. An award of up to $500 is presented to the entry that best exemplifies the standards of design excellence. The exhibition should contain works from professional, community and academic theatres in the region. Students and non-students are encouraged to enter.

GUIDELINES:

1. Any member of RMTA who is registered and attending FESTIVENTION is eligible to enter the competition.

2. All participants must sign up for an interview and display set-up time when they arrive at Festivention. Judges appointed by RMTA will interview each applicant and review displayed materials.

3. Properly matted renderings, sketches, paint elevations, exhibit models, costume plates, costumes and pieces, light designs/plots, drafting examples, photographs and small props are some of the items appropriate for display. Each designer is limited to twelve pieces from 1 to 4 shows.

4. Any special display items such as mannequins, slide projectors, head forms, etc., must be provided by the designer. Tables and pin-up boards are provided on-site, based on the application forms received.

5. All competitors must fill out the Design Award application form.
6. Revised Guidelines for Design Award.

RMTA Playwriting Competitions	Award sponsored by...
RMTA offers two awards of up to $250 each and a staged reading for the best original scripts submitted to judges chosen by the organization. Beginning at Festivention ’08 we will be offering one prize each in two categories: Best One Act Play and Best Full-length Play. Up to three finalists per category (one of which is the winner) are selected for staged readings to be presented at Festivention. Finalists must be current members of RMTA, registered for FESTIVENTION, and present at the staged reading of their script in order to be eligible to receive the top prize. GUIDELINES

1. Four copies of the script with the author's name, address and telephone number only appearing in a cover letter should be mailed to the address on the Playwriting Competition form. The judges will have no knowledge of the identity of the author during the adjudication process. The winners of each category will be announced at the RMTA Awards Ceremony at Festivention.
2. Scripts MUST be in standard manuscript format and securely bound with brads and cardstock. If the script does not meet these requirements it will NOT be considered.
3. Only one submission per category per participant. No musicals. Adaptations must be in public domain, or appropriate documentation of permission must be submitted at the time the script is submitted for judging.
4. All competitors will be sent written critiques generated by the judges during the adjudication process.