REGIONAL 10-MINUTE DEVISED THEATRE FESTIVAL

The Kennedy Center states that, “devising is loosely defined as the process of collaboratively creating a new work without a pre-existing script wherein the collaborators are also the performers. In the standard theatre model, a single playwright writes the text and then a director casts actors and selects designers to interpret that text, resulting in a theatre production. With devised theatre, however, the collective artists begin without a script. A devised piece of theatre can literally start with anything: a painting, a song, a real-life event, a novel to adapt, a prompt, etc. Multiple ways to devise exist. However, a deep study of devising shows that many companies’ processes include five key stages: research, creation, development, rehearsal, and performance.”

This year MTA will be hosting 3 regional 10 Minute / Devised Theatre Festivals. This year’s focus will be Devised Theatre for Change where students will have the opportunity to engage in and promote discourse on challenging topics.

Each school will be allowed to have 3 teams consisting of 6 individuals on each team. Teams must have 6 members. Incomplete teams will be ineligible to participate. The students will then be put into groups of 6, all from different schools. The students will have 9 ½ hours to devise and rehearse the production and the performance will be performed at 6:00 pm that evening.

Each region may host a maximum of eight (8) participating groups containing six (6) students each to participate in the 10-minute festival.

Schools may choose which regional they would like to participate with, but once a region’s event is full, schools will be referred to another region that has openings available or have the option to withdraw.

Contact Information

For more information contact the regional chair.
North Region –Trisha Jordan - tjordan@starkvillesd.com
Central Region – Randy Ferino – ferino2006@gmail.com
South Region – Carrie Ferguson-Bellew – carrie.bellew@lbsdk12.com

The Prompt -  One Moment Can Change Everything
a. Ensemble members will be assigned from various schools.
b. Teachers will have provided them with ideas for source material related to this prompt.
c. For example – Racial Inequity, Voting Suppression, Inclusiveness.
d. Source material does not have to be heavy.
e. The prompt ”One Moment Can Change Everything” can mean many things, but students participating in this project should all come into it with an idea to serve as source material

Rules and Regulations

a. Students will be divided into random groups and will select from the source material they have each
    brought the theme or idea that will inform the process of their creation.
b. One student may serve as the scribe, but the play belongs to all involved.
c. Students will explore and create by working with Moment Work Technique as defined by Tectonic Theatre
    Project.
    i. This will be covered in the MTA Teacher Workshop.
    ii. The best resource is the book Moment Work: Tectonic Theatre Project’s Process of Devising.
d. Each student must bring 1 prop and 1 costume to be incorporated into the play.
e. The groups will work together and rehearse in break out rooms.
f. They will come together, and audiences will be invited to watch the plays.

Adjudicators will give live responses.

a. Three Respondents, selected by the Regional Chair and knowledgeable in the field of dramatic production,
     shall share a 30-minute oral critique following all of the performances. Critiques shall be open to the
     audience.
b. Criteria to be considered:
     i. Writing
        » Are the characters well developed?
        » Does the dialogue reflect thoughtfulness?
        » Is the material appropriate for the group?
        » Is the material worthy of the time and effort?
     ii. Directing
        » Is the concept appropriate for the material? » How well has the structure of the play been
          controlled?
        » How effective are movement and stage pictures? » Was attention given to pacing, tempo, variety, and
           subtle nuances?
     iii. Acting
         » Is the acting believable?
         » Is the acting technically skillful?
         » Are the characters well interpreted?
     iv. Technical
         » Do the technical elements support the production?
         » Set Props
         » Sound (if applicable) Lighting
         » Costuming
         » Make-up.
     v. Overall Production
         » Does the company display ensemble work?
         » How well is the concept realized by the group?
         » How effective was the total impact?

Rules

Time Limit is Ten (10) Minutes.

The 10- Minute / Devised Play Festival is open to any school or organization in the State of Mississippi.
a. This includes public and private high schools, performing arts schools, dual enrollment institutions, charter
    schools, and home school groups.
b. Participants must be enrolled in a school program and must be accompanied by a sponsor.

Electronic devices (e.g. laptops, tablets, etc.) are acceptable and recommended for the writing portion of this event.

Each individual team must pay a registration fee of $100.
a. Schools are also encouraged to be, or to become, organizational members of MTA.
b. Registration payment must be received prior to, or at, the festival check-in.

Each group will have one adult who will help to guide the students through the devised process. Participating schools must provide a sponsor/chaperone/volunteer to help supervise and fulfill other duties as assigned by the division chair.
a. This individual will also determine their group’s break times.
b. This individual will need to keep the Regional Chair always advised of their group’s locations.

A floor plan of the performance area will be distributed to the directors and ADs when scripts are distributed.

General furnishing, lighting, and a sound system will be supplied by the festival.
a. These aspects may be limited.
b. Any other aspects (music, costumes, make-up, props…etc.) will be the responsibility of the director,
   assistant director, and actors.

Regional Dates, Locations, and Contacts

North

Saturday, October 15, 2022
Starkville High School Auditorium, 603 Yellow Jacket Dr., Starkville, MS 69759
Trisha Jordan, Regional Chair, tjordan@ starkvillesd.com

Central
Saturday, October 22, 2022
TBA
Randy Ferino, Regional Chair, ferino2006@gmail.com

South
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Long Beach High School, 300 E Old Pass Rd., Long Beach, MS 39560
Carrie Ferguson-Bellew, Regional Chair, carrie.bellew@lbsdk12.com

Agenda

8:30 AM    Registration Check-In

9:00 AM    Welcome

9:30 AM    Get to Know You Games

10:45 AM  Rules / Explain Devised Theatre

11:00 AM  Draw for New Groups

11:15 AM  Split to Work Areas to Begin Writing

12:00 PM  Working Lunch

3:30 PM    Stage Rehearsals Begin

6:00 PM    Performances Begin (Adjudications Will Follow)

10 MINUTE / DEVISED THEATRE FESTIVAL
REGISTRATION

List teams and the 6 individual names of each team here.

Each school must provide at least one full 6 person team. Up to 3 6 person teams are allowed. Each team participating must have a full 6 people participating. 

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