Skip to main content
University of Texas at Austin
University Interscholastic League Logo
University Interscholastic League Logo
Leaguer Header Logo

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF
THE UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE

Opportunities, Deadlines and Changes in OAP

By Luis Muñoz, Theatre Director | Monday, December 05, 2011 11:47 AM

The script and set addition deadline is rapidly approaching. Daily submissions are now arriving with many scripts for evaluation. Please make sure that you follow the procedures in the 19th edition of the Handbook for One-Act Play.

Failure to do so may result in a procedural disapproval and, if close to the deadline, inability to resubmit.  Please make sure that your check accompanies your package. That can create incredible delays.  It’s best to use the post office box address found on every other page of your handbook.

Make sure that you have cut any profanity or scenes that may be considered a violation of the set or standards rules. PLEASE use a yellow highlighter to mark what you are keeping and strike through deleted dialogue and stage business. 

Make sure that you have contacted the publisher to secure rights as early as possible. If your script is on the approved list, please check with the publisher to make sure that it is currently available for contest use.


Theatrefest
If you haven’t done so yet, register and reserve your room for this year’s Theatrefest. There are many UIL-related workshops that will help you in organizing and directing your play for 2012. 

If you are new to OAP, you should plan on attending the OAP A-Z workshop on Saturday. Master teachers will take you through the process of creating a dynamic piece of theatre. The State Meet judging panels will be introduced that day as well.

The UIL Open Forum is scheduled during the convention. This is a great time to make suggestions. We also will take time during the forum to review all the rule changes that are being implemented in 2011-12 and in 2011-13.

TETAAO Critic Judging workshops for certification are on Friday and Sunday and re-certification is scheduled for Sunday. High school teachers who are looking at retiring this year should consider attending and becoming part of our judging pool. New faculty members at our colleges and universities should strongly consider becoming part of this service organization. I also welcome those of you who judged in the past and have not done so in a while to join us again. 

With the introduction of panel judging at the regional and state level and more districts choosing to panel, our judging pool needs an increase in numbers.

The Contest Manager Workshop is scheduled for Saturday. State Assistants Troy Tinney and Jerry Ivins will be providing tips and handouts to help you run a trouble-free contest during this four-hour workshop. Because there are many changes to timing rules and panel judging, this is really a must-attend for any contest managers out there.

Legislative Council Actions
On Oct. 17 the Legislative Council unanimously approved two amendments to the Constitution and Contest Rules that go into effect immediately. These changes relate to alternates and the use of music. Please update the 19th edition of the Handbook for One-Act Play.

A change in timing rules will go into effect in the 2012-13 school year and Theatrical Design will become an official contest in 2012-13. My thanks to Missy Head, the UIL Advisory Committee, Paula Rodriguez, Perry Crafton and the TETAAO.

The Changes:
1) Alternates
Section 1033 (c)(2)(C) of the UIL C&CR is amended as follows effective immediately:
(C) Number in Company. No play shall be performed that uses more than fifteen individuals in the cast, five crew members and four alternates. The director shall certify any change in the eligible student listing in writing by following the procedures outlined in the current Handbook for One-Act Play. See Section 902 (g) (1) (B) of the Spring Meet Plan.

The Handbook for One-Act Play, 19th Edition, and Guide for Contest Managers, 6th Edition, are updated as follows:
An alternate may be used at the contest site in one of the following three situations:
1) As an audience member under the supervision of an adult from the school     district,
2) As a dressing room assistant under the supervision of the school’s directors, or
3) As a site crew member under the supervision of the contest manager.
An alternate shall not be allowed to participate in the set, strike or run of the contest entry. Those used in the dressing rooms will be sent into the house while the cast and crew go on stage. The contest manager shall reserve seven seats for the four potential alternates and three potential judges.
2) Music
Section 1033 (c)(2)(D)(v) of the UIL C&CR is amended as follows effective immediately:
(v) The total amount of music allowed shall not exceed ten minutes and shall be in compliance with copyright law. No more than thirty seconds of music may be used from any single work under copyright. Live music onstage, whether instrumental or vocal, shall be plot-driven or specifically prescribed by the playwright and requires League approval.
The timekeepers shall verify the cumulative time reported and any violation of the ten-minute maximum shall be reported to the appropriate executive committee and is subject to the full range of penalties.

Two amendments were passed that go into effect in the 2012-13 school year.
1) Scene Changes No Longer Timed
Section 1033 (c)(2)(D) and (ii) of the UIL C&CR will be amended as follows effective Aug. 1, 2012:
(ii) Time for scene changes during the progress of the play shall be included in the 40-minute time limit. Scene changes that do not stop the action of the play shall not be timed. If, however, a scene change stops the action of the play, the action shall remain stopped for no more than 60 seconds, even though the scene change may take more than 60 seconds. A blackout, blueout, fade down, closing of the curtain, etc., may be used to indicate a lapse of time, a flashback, a scene change, etc. Play action shall not be stopped for more than 60 seconds during such a transition. 
2) Theatrical Design becomes an officially sanctioned contest of the UIL. 

Changes Passed in 2010 That Go Into Effect This Year
1) The number of sessions at clinics is limited to a total of four per school year.  A  session is defined as a two-hour period during which the play is performed and critiques are received.  The session may include more than one critic as long as you stay within the two-hour period.  You shall not schedule more than three sessions during the school week and shall not schedule more than one session during any one week.  You are free to schedule any and all of the four during weekends and holidays if you wish.

2) Panel judging at all region and state contests goes into effect this spring.  The procedures can be found online and in the 19th edition of the Handbook for One-Act Play.  Under the new rules, companies shall receive an oral critique from one of the panelists, written evaluations from the three panelists and an overall rating from all of the panelists.  The evaluation form shall also be used by single critics at the district and area level.

Procedural Changes in the Handbook
1) Participants shall not be staged on unit set elements elevated over six feet. Participants shall not be staged under unit set elements when elevated over four feet high and other participants are staged on them. Ramps standing on end, platforms with 1X2 or 1X4 railing, parallel platforms and flats shall not be used to elevate unit set elements when actors will be staged on them.

2) An official timekeeper backstage shall give the company audible warnings at one-minute intervals beginning at five minutes through one minute remaining. (i.e. “five minutes remaining. Please confirm.”)  The director or director’s designee shall declare when the official set up or strike is completed.

The performance time shall begin no more than 60 seconds after the end of “set” is declared unless the contest manager calls a “time-hold.” If announcements are made, the contest manager must clearly indicate to the performing company that announcements have concluded and when the 60-second period begins.  An official timekeeper backstage shall give the company an audible warning when the 60-second clock has begun.
An official timekeeper shall give the company a single warning that 35 minutes have elapsed.  Procedures to be followed shall be reviewed with each cast at the official rehearsal and reviewed with directors at the Director Meeting. This can be done via headphones. A timekeeper can be in the light booth; a timekeeper can stand by the stage manager, etc.  We have left this up to the sites as you know your facilities better than we do. These warnings are mandatory.

A minimum of two timekeepers shall record each of the timed elements. The lowest time shall serve as the official time.