THE 2024 All-COUNTY THEATRE FESTIVAL

Introduction
The All County Theatre (A.C.T.) Festival offers opportunity for middle and high school students to be
evaluated by experts in the field.

Event Info
Where: Winter Haven HS 600 6th St SE, Winter Haven, FL 33880
When:
TECH CHALLENGE- Friday January 26, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 PM
PERFORMING EVENTS - Saturday, January 27, 2024
9:00 AM till 4:00 PM
CHECK-IN begins 45 minute prior to your first scheduled performance.
CLOSING CEREMONIES will begin at 6:30 and will be LIVE

RSVP: To reserve spots for your students, online registration must be received by Tuesday January 2,
2024. This is a hard deadline!

 Completed Registration Form (submitted electronically)

 Scene Writing Submissions, Deadline for script submission is Friday, January 12, 2024.
 After the deadline date there will be no changes. Any conflict must be worked out by
the school sponsor on their own.
 For CRITIC’S CHOICE performances during the Live Closing ceremonies –Teachers will
be informed of the Critic’s Choice by 4:30 on January 27. Rehearsal time will be from
5:00- 6:00 in the theatre
Important Dates:
January 2, 2024 - All registration files are due.
High School registration https://forms.office.com/r/tyCzaUZx4R
Middle School registration https://forms.office.com/r/vukpmpZUJV
January 12, 2024 - All Scripts for scene writing are due- upload into the OneDrive File ACTFEST Scene
Writing 2024
January 12, 2024 - Schedules sent out

DAY OF EVENT
On-site Check in: Sponsors only- 45 min before your first event- Theatre Lobby. Student holding area
will be the outdoor area by the cafeteria.

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 THE 2024 All-COUNTY THEATRE FESTIVAL
All County Theatre Festival Student Conduct Contract

(Make copies as necessary, one per student) This form should be with the sponsor at all times during the A.C.T.
Festival.

The student is asked to initial each statement.

_____1. I agree to be a respectful, intelligent member of any audience in all theatre spaces during A.C.T.
Festival. I understand that I am a guest and my conduct must not infringe on the rights of the other
guests. Appropriate theatre etiquette is expected of both performers and sponsors as well as respectful
courtesy in word and deed to all involved in this event.
_____ 2. I understand that I must respect property in the various venues where A.C.T. Festival events may take
place. I will not go into any areas at the venue without an adult
_____ 3. I understand that I am a representative of my school, and the A.C.T. Festival, and that my appearance
and behavior should be appropriate for each occasion. Tattered, revealing, or otherwise inappropriate clothing
should be avoided. Substance use will not be tolerated and will be subject to the district code of conduct.
_____ 4. Beverages, food, and gum are NOT PERMITTED AT ANY TIME at Indoor areas. (Exception: Water)
_____ 5. I realize that it is a privilege to attend A.C.T. Festival and that I will participate in all A.C.T. Festival
events that for which I am registered. I will not leave the festival without permission from my sponsor.
_____ 6. I understand that I must maintain a 2.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for the grading period
preceding the festival registration deadline.
_____7. I understand that I will return home in the same form of transportation in which I arrived unless I
have prior written permission from my parent/guardian.
I hereby grant to the Polk County Schools the right and permission, with respect to photographs, or video recordings
taken of me or the minor names below on whose behalf I am signing, and with respect to any printed matter in
connection therewith, to do the following:

1. To use my image in video recordings of All County events.

2. To use my name or the name of the minor on whose behalf I am signing, in All-County programs.

I hereby release, discharge and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Polk County Schools and employees from all claims
and demands whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the foregoing, and waive any right in inspect or approve the
same.
I have read, understood, the above conduct contract, and I agree to follow it while attending the Festival.
Further, I have read and understood the attached A.C.T. Festival Guidelines. Any infraction will be dealt with
accordingly, including being sent home.

Date_____________ Student Signature ____________________________________

Student Cell Phone (_____) ___________________

Parent Signature _____________________________

Parent Cell Phone (________) __________________________

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THE 2024 All-COUNTY THEATRE FESTIVAL

A.C.T. Festival Guidelines

Dress Code
Students are expected to dress in “Performance Blacks.” Black shirt (dress or
polo, blouse), pants, black dresses or skirts with black leg covering (leggings,
tights, stockings, etc.)

Events
Middle School students are encouraged to participate in up to 3 Events per
student. High School students are encouraged to participate in up to 3 Events
per student. Events for which students may perform are:
Monologue Solo Musical
Duet Acting Scene Duet Musical
Ensemble Acting Ensemble Musical
All students may choose to also enter the Scene Writing event

Event Limits
Each school may bring THREE of the following events: Monologue, Solo Music.
All other events are allowed FIVE per school.

Time Limits:
There is a THREE-minute limit on monologues and all other performing events
are limited to FIVE minutes. Those events which run over their allotted time will
be disqualified. Scene Writing will have a ten-minute time limit.

Food and Drink

Students can always have water with them. No other food or drink is allowed.

Recognition
Each performance will be adjudicated by a panel of judges using the performance
rubrics found at the end of this packet. You will not need to supply these rubrics
to the judges; these are simply for you to use in preparing your students. Those
students who receive an Excellent or a Superior rating will be recognized
individually at the Closing Ceremonies.

One entry from each category of events at both the middle school and high
school level will also be chosen by the judges as Critic’s Choice to perform for
the Closing Ceremonies.

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Content of Selections
The acting sponsor (teacher or troupe director at both Middle School and the High
School Level) is responsible for ensuring that the material is appropriate for
presentation in a public forum for all age levels. The principal may be asked to
certify that the material chosen meets the community standards of the school
and community. Events that are determined by the judges and ACT Festival Staff
to not meet this requirement will not be considered for Critic’s Choice Selection.
In addition, Beth Cummings will have the final decision on appropriateness of
material.

Field Trip Forms

This event is school sponsored and that you will need to have field trip forms
turned in for all students. Please always keep those with you, along with the
student conduct contract that is included in this packet.

General guidelines

 Costumes are not permitted. Students are only permitted to wear

“Performance Blacks.”
 Hand Properties: Personal items are carried on stage by the performer(s)
(example: notebook, luggage, letter, doll, etc.). Hand Properties must be
relevant to the scene being performed.
 Slate: Consists of performer's name(s), the title and playwright of your
piece, and school’s name ONLY. This information is to precede all portions
of the selection(s) to be presented. Timing will begin after the school’s
name is stated in all IE's. Example: "My name is John Doe. I will be
performing “Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera by
Andrew Lloyd Webber." I proudly represent Bartow High School.”
 No student may enter the same category twice. Honor the event limits for
registration.
 Adjudication evaluation sheets will be given to the Sponsor after Closing
Ceremonies.

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THE 2024 All-COUNTY THEATRE FESTIVAL

The time for the event will start after the mention of the school name. A
“Slate” (introduction) is required and MUST include ONLY the
entrant's name(s), title of selection and author of the work, and
school name. Do not give other unnecessary information.

MONOLOGUE Guidelines
 Student will perform ONE selection.
 Materials must be drawn from published plays written for the theatre or a
published monologue anthology. Poetry, fiction, screenplays, original works
or lyrics will NOT be allowed.
 Only one character may be used.
 The selection may not exceed (3) three minutes.
 The actor must wear “Performance Blacks.”
 Hand props may only be used if integral to the scene. Integral is defined as
a prop that is physically used by the actor.
 One chair and one table (the latter will not support an actor’s weight) will
be provided, and this is the only permissible furniture.

DUET ACTING Guidelines

 Two actors perform ONE selection.
 Materials must be drawn from published plays written for the theatre or a
published scene anthology. Poetry, fiction, screenplays, original works or
lyrics will NOT be allowed.
 The actors must wear “Performance Blacks.”
 Hand props may only be used if integral to the scene. Integral is defined as
 a prop that is physically used by the actor.
 Not to exceed five (5) minutes.
 Each room will be provided with 3 chairs, and one table, which will not
support standing weight. This is the only permissible furniture.

ENSEMBLE ACTING
• Three to sixteen actors perform ONE selection.
The material must be drawn from published plays written for the theatre.
Poetry, fiction, screenplays original works or lyrics will NOT be allowed.
• The actors must wear “Performance Blacks.”
• Hand props may only be used if integral to the scene. Integral is defined as
a prop that is physically used by the actor.
• Not to exceed five (5) minutes.
• Each room will be provided with 8 chairs, and one table, which will not
support standing weight. This is the only permissible furniture.

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SOLO MUSICAL THEATRE

 The selection must be drawn from published musicals written for the
theatre. NO original works, medleys, or screenplays are allowed. The
selection may contain dialogue.
 All material should be presented as if within the context of a full
production.
 The performer MUST use non-vocal musical accompaniment which can be
live or recorded.
 The actors must wear “Performance Blacks.”
 Hand props may only be used if integral to the scene. Integral is defined as
a prop that is physically used by the actor.
 The performer may choose to dance only if the number included a dance in
the original production.
 Not to exceed five (5) minutes.
 Each room will be provided with 1 chair and one table, which will not
support standing weight. These are the only permissible furniture.
 The performer MUST provide his/her own media sound playback device.
 A piano/keyboard will be provided, but you MUST provide your own
accompanist. No other equipment is permissible.

DUET MUSICAL THEATRE

• Two students may participate
• The selection must be drawn from published musicals written for the
theatre. No original works, medleys, or screenplays are allowed. The
selection may contain dialogue and both participants must be actively
involved in the musical selection.
• All material should be presented as if within the context of a full
production.
• The performers MUST use non-vocal musical accompaniment which can be
live or recorded.
• The actors must wear “Performance Blacks.”
• Hand props may only be used if integral to the scene. Integral is defined as
a prop that is physically used by the actor.
• The performers may choose to dance only if the number was a dance in
the original production.
• Not to exceed five (5) minutes.
• Each room will be provided with 2 chairs and one table, which will not
support standing weight. This is the only permissible furniture.
• The performers MUST provide their own media sound playback device.
• A piano may be provided, but you MUST provide your own accompanist.
No other equipment is permissible.

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THE 2024 All-COUNTY THEATRE FESTIVAL
ENSEMBLE MUSICAL THEATRE
 Three (3) to sixteen (16) students may participate
 The selection must be drawn from published musicals written for the
theatre. No original works, medleys, or screenplays are allowed. The
selection may contain dialogue and both participants must be actively
involved in the musical selection.
 All material should be presented as if within the context of a full production.
 The performers MUST use non-vocal musical accompaniment which can be
live or taped. The performer MUST provide his/her own media sound
device.
 The actors must wear “Performance Blacks.”
 Hand props may only be used if integral to the scene. Integral is defined as
a prop that is physically used by the actor.
 The performers may choose to dance only if the number included a dance
in the original production.
 Not to exceed five (5) minutes.
 Each room will be provided with 8 chairs, and one table, which will not
support standing weight. This is the only permissible furniture.
 The performers MUST provide their own media sound playback device.
 A piano will be provided, but you MUST provide your own accompanist. No
other equipment is permissible.

SCENE WRITING

1. The script must be the work of one or two students. If a collaborative

effort, both must attend the adjudication.
2. The text must contain dialogue and have a minimum of two characters.
3. Playing time must be a minimum of (3) TEXT pages and a maximum of
(7) TEXT pages.
4. Four copies of the script must be submitted by the festival deadline (Friday,
January 12, 2024). Scripts must be typed or word-processed according to
the ACT Fest guidelines. All printed text must be in the Courier font. See
Playwriting Guidelines included with this packet.
5. The first page of the script will be the TITLE PAGE, including information
relating to the title, scene wright(s), sponsor, school name, school address,
and completion date, and will be arranged according to the ACT Fest
guidelines.
6. The second page of the script will be the SYNOPSIS PAGE, including
information relating to the title, playwright(s), character breakdown (male/
female), and a forty to sixty word summary of the play, and will be
arranged according to the ACT Fest guidelines.

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7. The third page of the script will be the CHARACTER PAGE, including an
alphabetized list of the characters, and will be arranged according to the
ACT Fest guidelines.
8. The fourth and successive pages of the script will be the TEXT PAGES and
will include only the actual scene and will be arranged according to the ACT
Fest guidelines.
9 The script will contain only pages specified by the ACT Fest guidelines.
10. A script that is improperly formatted is in violation of the specified
ACT Fest guidelines and is subject to disqualification prior to
adjudication.
11. Judges may make comments in the margins of the scene, on the
evaluation form and/or during the verbal adjudication.
12. The scene must be original work and cannot have been previously
adjudicated at the ACT Festival.
13. All scenes submitted WILL NOT be returned.
14. Scene writing adjudication will be 10 minutes in length with just the
playwright and the judges. The playwright will introduce the play and then
have a discussion with the judges. Observers may be in the room for this
event.

The following topics will be considered by the adjudicators while reading

your play:
A. Character:
1. Are goals established?
2. Is the goal pursued in a manner consistent with the character’s
personality and limitations?
SCENE WRITING (Continued)
3. Can an audience empathize with the protagonist?
4. Are the supporting characters vital to the development and resolution of
the plot?
B. Dialogue:
1. Is each character’s diction (choice of words) consistent with the given
circumstances?
2. Is all dialogue necessary to the development of the plot and each
character?
C. Plot:
1. Does the author provide all exposition necessary to understanding the
characters and their situations (who, what, when, where why)?
2. Once the initial incident in introduced, does the rising action follow a
logical sequence of events to an appropriate climax and resolution?
D. Stage ability:
1. Will this work easily translate to the stage given the limitations of a
stage play?
E. Styles setup:
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THE 2024 All-COUNTY THEATRE FESTIVAL
1. CHARACTER: All Caps. Centered on the page. A single space hard return
after.
2. DIALOGUE: Left justified. Left indent to allow for binding (1.5″) and One
inch from right margin (1″).
3. SCENE HEADING: Use all caps, center with no indent.
4. STAGE ACTION: Action is centered and extends to the right margin.
Action that is reliant on dialogue is left indented to left of the Character
name.
5. SPACES: Proper typesetting dictates ONE space after periods.

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