Category Guidelines

Participants may compete in no more than two of the following categories: monologue, two-person scene, ensemble scene. All pieces must be from 20th or 21st century dramatic literature with a focus on realism. Classical literature or devised student work will not be allowed to compete. If you have a question about acceptable work, please contact us at cytf@cps.edu

General Guidelines

Costuming is NOT permitted.
Performed content may not exceed a PG-13 rating: Avoid excessive violence, profanity, sexually-explicit content, and/or language that is degrading to any group of people. Entries that do not adhere to the PG-13 rating will not be considered for advancement.
Traditional casting is not required.

For further guidelines, please visit here.

Monologue

Monologues should not exceed two minutes and should be no shorter than one minute. Pieces that run shorter than one minute or longer than two minutes will not be considered for advancement. Adjudicators may ask actors to end their monologue if it runs longer than two minutes. Actors may use a chair and a small handheld prop, such as a book or cane. Actors should introduce or slate their pieces. This will not count in the timing of the piece.

Two-Person Scene

Two-person scenes should not exceed five minutes and should be no shorter than three minutes. Scenes that run shorter than three minutes or longer than five minutes will not be considered for advancement. Adjudicators will ask actors to end their scene if it runs longer than five minutes. Actors must share equally in the scene work. Actors may use two chairs (provided) and two small handheld props. Actors should introduce, or slate, their scene. This will not count in the timing of the scene.

Ensemble Scene

Ensemble scenes must consist of no fewer than three actors and no more than five actors. Ensemble scenes should be no shorter than five minutes and should not exceed eight minutes. Scenes that run shorter than five minutes or longer than eight minutes will not be considered for advancement. Adjudicators will ask actors to end their scene if it runs longer than eight minutes. Actors must share equally in the scene work. Actors may use up to five chairs (provided) and up to five small handheld props. Actors should introduce or slate their scenes. This will not be counted in the timing.

Musical Theatre

(Not Available during the 2024 Competition,

will return in 2025)

Musical theatre pieces should be solo pieces that should not exceed two minutes and should be no shorter than one minute. The piece can be any musical theatre show written after 1942 as long as it is a piece for solo performers. Pieces that run shorter than one minute or longer than two minutes will not be considered for advancement. Musical theatre actors should provide music for the accompanist that is clearly marked with the beginning and end. Adjudicators may ask actors to end their piece if it runs longer than two minutes. Actors may use a chair (provided) and a small handheld prop, such as a book or cane. Actors should discuss the beginning and end of their piece with the accompanist before introducing or slating their piece. This will not count in the timing.