Scenefest

10 minute scenes or cuttings.

In Scenefest, troupes perform 10 minute scenes for an audience and adjudication. Judges may select an outstanding Scenefest entry to perform mainstage. 

Who it’s great for:

  • new troupes who are exploring the opportunities of Festival
  • returning troupes who want to perform mainstage and couldn’t attend Play Festival
  • independent upperclassmen who want to showcase their chops
  • dedicated underclassman who would benefit from professional feedback

 

Guidelines:

  • Each troupe may submit up to one Scenefest entry. 
  • There may be any number of actors in the scene. 
  • The scenes will be performed Friday, and festival attendees are encouraged to watch. 
  • The scene must not be any longer than 10 minutes. 5 minutes is allowed to set up and/or break down the set. (15 minutes total)
  • Use of costumes and props is permitted, and 4 chairs are provided. 
  • If the scene needs music, the actors need to bring a battery-operated player; no power is provided. 
  • There are limited slots, so scenes are selected based on the Troupe’s registration completion date.  
  • In order to showcase as many troupes as possible, only troupes that haven’t won Scenefest in the past 5 years may apply. 

 

Selecting your scene: 

  • All material must follow State Festival guidelines for content:
    • Plays must be HIGH SCHOOL APPROPRIATE. State Festival is inclusive of a wide range of schools and Thespians from diverse backgrounds. California Thespians supports students in tackling challenging material, and any material being considered for mainstage must be accessible to everyone in attendance. When in doubt, aim for a G rating. 
  • Only scripts in the public domain or on EdTA’s list of pre-approved publishers are allowed (see the list of pre-approved publishers here).
  • No original or student-written work will be accepted. 

California State Thespians is committed to promoting diversity on all levels. We embrace inclusive casting for every role, and fully supports each student’s choice to select material that speaks to them. Race, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation should not influence the evaluation of student performances at California Thespian events and competitions. (Special consideration may be taken where race is germane to the text.)

 

Adjudication:

Performers receive written feedback from judges using THIS RUBRIC 

 

Fee: $30 per troupe

 

How to Apply:

  1. Add Scenefest to your troupe’s online registration. 
  • At this time, you will need to enter the names of all performers, to avoid schedule conflicts with other events.  
  • The entry fee will be added to your troupe’s registration invoice. 
  1. Submit the Scenefest entry form by Jan 31: https://form.jotform.com/72807818184162
  • At this time, you will need proof that this piece is in the public domain or from EdTA’s list of pre-approved publishers (e.g a copy of the title page of the script).

 

Scenefest questions may be directed to Don Amerson don.amerson@cathespians.org

 

Updated Nov 10, 2022