Contest

CONTEST SCHEDULE - SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026

HOLDING ROOMS

• Holding rooms do not have mirrors, so please plan accordingly.

• Companies have the option of moving from their holding rooms into the Black Box approximately 20 minutes prior to their setup.

• Schools may bring food or drinks into their holding rooms. You are responsible for cleaning all trash and returning the classroom to working order.  Violation could be considered a transgression of the UIL code of conduct rule. Food/concession items are available in the lobby of the PAC for purchase. 

• Make sure all parents and supporters know that they cannot enter the backstage area or enter your holding rooms. Out of safety for our students, all supporters are limited to the lobby and seating of the PAC areas and may not wander around campus.

• Only those names entered online as cast, crew, alternates, and directors will be allowed backstage and in holding/dressing rooms. 

• Warm-up will occur in the holding rooms for the District Contest as critiques will be held following each performance in the Black Box. For the Bi-District Contest, the Black Box will serve as the warm-up room.

• Directors and participants MUST wear the badges at all times. Badges will allow the student and director to attend all productions for free. If a badge is lost, a ticket must be purchased. Do not give badges to parents, supporters or other students not on the eligibility list. Violations will be reported to the State.

• Immediately following the performance, remove all items from the rooms and remove all trash. Please do not wait to remove items until after your critique. This forces the host workers to stay late.

SET-UP

• Prior to the official set up, the cast and crew may move their set materials from the storage space to a specified location in the hallway immediately behind the performance space. This must be done quietly. Absolutely no running! Safety FIRST! Prior to the 7-minute start, each participant may bring one hand-held item onto the stage. No rolling carts or unit set pieces may be brought on early, only hand-held items. 

• Schools have 7-minutes to move their set from behind the stage and construct their set/tech. Also, during this time, set all props that will be needed for the opening of the show. Careful not to drag or push anything. 

• The Contest Stage Manager will give the company audible warnings at one-minute intervals beginning at five minutes through the end of the time. (i.e. 5 minutes remaining.) 

• Students must wear closed-toe shoes during set up and strike to ensure safety.

• The school’s time will start/stop after the agreed upon signal is given to the Contest Stage Manager. 

• Schools have a choice to set up in front of or behind the curtain. 

• The performance time shall begin no more than 60 seconds after the Contest Manager announces the 60 second start during the pre-show announcements unless the Contest Manager calls a “time-hold.” The Contest Manager will meet the cast backstage, send the Directors to the front of the house, and will confirm that the Adjudicator(s) is in place. He will then make announcements to the audience and announce that the 60 seconds has started. 

• The Contest Stage Manager will give a verbal warning to the student Stage Manager, or their agreed upon proxy, when the one minute has begun. A countdown based on 10 second intervals will be communicated by the Contest Stage Manager to the school’s Stage Manager or designee. 

• Actors may go to places during these 60 seconds or during the announcements. 

• Actors may not carry sets or props on stage during this minute, unless used during their first entrance. 

PERFORMANCE

• Please inform your supporters of your performance time. We will follow the schedule strictly. 

• The Contest Stage Manager will give a single verbal warning by way of the intercom headset to the student Stage Manager, or their agreed upon proxy, that 15 minutes and 35 minutes (to the end of the time) have elapsed. It is then the responsibility of the performing company to end their show on time, and not go under the 18 minutes or over the 40-minute limits. These procedures to be followed shall be reviewed with each cast at the official rehearsal and reviewed with directors at the Director Meeting. 

STRIKE

• The strike will follow immediately after the performance, and the time will start/stop after the first/last individual crosses the designated area, or an agreed upon signal. Absolutely no running! Safety FIRST! 

• Students must wear closed-toe shoes during set up and strike to ensure safety.

• In your strike, you have seven minutes to accomplish the following tasks: 

  • Unit Set to its storage area; 

  • schools set pieces to the shop; 

  • and the stage cleared. 

• No site crew will assist with any clean up, and the stage must be in perfect condition for the next school within the 7-minute strike. If the next show is delayed in any way, the time may be charged to the pervious schools 7-minute strike. This includes the stage being slippery or sticky. The Contest Manager and/or Contest Stage Manager will give a verbal statement if the stage is cleared to end the strike. Going over in a clean-up could cause a non-advancement to occur. Please refer to the Handbook for clarification. 

• The Contest Stage Manager will give the company audible warnings at one-minute intervals beginning at five minutes through the end of the time. (i.e. 5 minutes remaining.)