Coaches' Information

Please check in at the high school office when you arrive! 

Weather related announcements - Weather in Iowa is challenging. If we would need to delay or postpone for weather related reasons, we will send out an e-mail to all coaches, post an announcement to the homepage of this website, and post on the IHSSA website. 

Sound/Projection Equipment - Remember that you need to provide your own equipment for TV News, Radio Broadcasting, and Short Film. We will provide carts outside of the centers, and an extension cord in each center. The contest site does not provide a projector or speakers for any event. Plan accordingly! 

Other equipment details are located in "Performance Spaces." 

Loading/Unloading - If you have any props, set pieces, tables, or other items that do not fit through a standard sized single door, please contact us as soon as possible to find a workable solution for your scenario. Storage is available in the secondary gym and in a back hallway near the auditorium.  

Buses/Parking - The bus drop off zone is a one-way loop near the front doors of the school. Bus parking will be available in the tennis courts, just west of the high school. The bus loop leads directly to this parking lot, right across East 8th street. We will provide a bus driver lounge in the school, which will be marked. 

Please advise all spectators and parents that no parking is allowed in the bus loop along the sidewalk, or in the tennis court parking lots.

Contest Fee/Programs - There is a $3 suggested donation for entry of all guests, and a $2 suggested donation for programs. Performing students and coaches are admitted at no charge. Please be sure to tell your team's supporters your SCHOOL CODE so they can find your performances. We will station some helpers at our welcome and donation tables. 

Replicated Weapons Policy - If a look-alike weapon is being used for a prop for a performance, you must contact the contest manager prior to contests to go through the approval process with Pella's administration. You will be required to submit a photograph and description of the prop(s) as the first step in gaining administrative approval. A replica weapon with a firing device will not be permitted (such as a starter gun, cap gun, or other noise-emitting device). If approved, the prop(s) must be transported in a closed bag or box to the main office prior to the performance, and then will transported in the closed bag or box to the performance center by the coach. The prop(s) may never be visible outside of the performance center. Following the performance, the prop(s) must be transported in a closed bag or box to the main office, or transported in the closed bag or box to a locked school vehicle for the remainder of the day. These policies will be strictly enforced, as safety of all students, staff, and spectators is our first priority. 

Performance Rights - Make sure you have secured all performance rights for all performance pieces, music, royalties, Additionally, make sure your students have secured rights where applicable in their short films. The judge may ask where they got their music from, so be prepared and proactive.

Video/Photography -  Please remind all spectators and parents that photography and videotaping during a performance is strictly prohibited unless the individual has obtained permission from the state office. They must bring documentation of this permission with them. 

Etiquette - Please remind all spectators and parents that they should not wear school-identifying clothing. Additionally, a parent or spectator should never approach a judge for any reason. If the parent or spectator has an issue, please have them speak to you, and then you can bring the concern to the front office where the contest manager and district officer will handle the situation. 

Home Base - The secondary gym will serve as the home base for all students during the day. Please remind students to be respectful of the space. 

Maps of the School - Due to Pella's safety regulations, we are unable to post a map of the school's interior on our website, but you will receive a map when you enter the school, and we will have many signs throughout the school. 

Comment Sheets - Don't forget your comment sheets! If you need extra copies, they will be available for purchase in the high school front office. Remember that you need three comment sheets for One Act Play. 

Once all of your ratings have been posted for the entire day, you may pick up your comment sheets in the ballot pick-up area, near the front office. This will be indicated on maps you receive at the school. 

Ratings - Ratings will be posted in the gym near home base, and possibly near the cafeteria. 

Contest Schedule - Remember that performance times are approximate. Please inform your parents to be early. We do not want anyone missing a performance they want to see. Remind your performers that they can inform the room chair that they would like to wait until their scheduled time to perform if a center is running early and they are missing an audience member.

Food - We will be offering breakfast and lunch in our cafeteria location through our concession stand, including an express lane. Please see "Food/Menu Prices" for details of what will be served and payment options. 

Noise - Please help us keep the noise down in the hallways to be respectful of on-going performances. We have provided many warm up rooms to help with noise, but please remind your students and spectators to keep the volume down in the hallways. 

Thank you! Let us know if you have any other questions! We are looking forward to a great day! 

Suzi Jones, Ashlee Whittington, and Nathan Mastbergen

Meet our generous contest sponsors! Thank you for supporting Iowa's performers!