PLAY RESPONSE PROCESS

Festival Play Selection Committee responders strive to keep ownership of the art in the hands of the artists. It is not the place of play responders to re-create your art for you. By making meaningful statements, answering the artist’s questions, and asking questions, we can help the artists to discover within themselves what needs to be done to take their art to the next level. Every school’s theatre program has different strengths and weaknesses. With this philosophy, we believe one can give and receive truly effective feedback. This aspect is beneficial for all programs.

FULL-LENGTH AND SHOWCASE PRODUCTIONS
A FULL-LENGTH production is generally between 1-2½ hours and performed in a more traditional theatre space, using theatrical lighting, sound, stage, costumes, sets, props, etc. For example, a director might choose to submit the school’s fall play for evaluation as a Full-Length production. Schools will have a maximum of three hours to set up (not necessarily consecutive) and a maximum of one hour to strike. Actual set-up and strike times are based upon the length of the show, Festival schedule, scenic and technical requirements and staff schedules. (Low-tech, full-length shows which fit within the time restrictions may be submitted for a Showcase spot.)

A SHOWCASE production is shorter, 60 minutes or less; it is often performed in smaller theatre spaces or non-traditional stage areas. Showcase productions might include (but are not limited to) digital scripts, experimental projects, oral interp., and student-directed one-acts. It uses small sets (or no sets) and lighting is generally simple lights up and lights down. Costumes, props, some sound, etc. may be used. Showcase productions will have a maximum of 15 minutes to set up and a maximum of 10 minutes to strike.

Note: Some Full-Lengths may be asked to be considered as a Showcase.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SPACES
Please see the available information for each of the spaces.  You will have a chance to suggest which spaces will work for your production as part of the production application. PLEASE NOTE, A REP LIGHTING PLOT, and SEPERATE AUDIO SPECS WILL BE PROVIDED AT A LATER DATE.  The following information should be used for ground plan only. Please do not contact anyone on the contact form, and instead send all inquiries to playselection@ihstf.org.

ISU Festival Production Spaces - specifications will be posted on August 22

CPC - Concert Hall

CPA - Theater

CE - Kemp Auditorium

CE - Weshoff Theater

Metcalf - Hayden Auditorium

U-High - Stroud Auditorium

Edwards - Capen Auditorium

PLAY SELECTION CRITERIA

• The type and style of the production
• The school size and geographical area/representation
• The overall feedback by the respondents who view the production in your theatre
• The appropriateness of the play for the performers
• The educational value and relevance to the Festival audience and theme
• The feasibility of transporting the production to the Festival
• The feasibility of meeting set-up/strike time constraints at the Festival
• The length of production (Because of space constraints and scheduling issues, shows longer than 2½ hours, including intermission, may not be selected for a Full-Length.)
• The adherence to the fire and safety requirements for the Illinois State University campus.

The Festival Committee reserves the right to commission one or more Full-Length or Showcase productions.

PRODUCTION FEES

Full-Length Production:  $100.00

Showcase Production:  $75.00

The fees are a one-time submission fee and will not be refunded.  Once you submit the online application to have your production considered for Festival, you are responsible for paying the fee.

SUBMITTING A PRODUCTION FOR SELECTION

1. Choose to submit either a Full-Length or a Showcase production. Schools may not submit both in the same year. In addition, any school that was selected to perform a Full-Length production at the 2025 Theatre Festival is only eligible to perform a Showcase production at the 2026 Festival.
   
   
2. Review the Full-Length Technical Guidelines Form and/or the Showcase Technical Guidelines Form.  You will be required to acknowledge that you have received, read, and understand the technical guidelines for the production you submit for consideration.  Please be aware that further guidelines will be provided to you at the December 7, 2025 Director's Meeting.
   
   
3. Review the Checklist for Directors Form to help Guide you through the entire process.  Print this out and check off your progress!
   
   
4. SUBMIT the online Full-Length or Showcase Production Application now! - NOW OPEN!  The deadline to submit this form for consideration is September 19, 2025.
   
   
5. Note: Shows performing prior to October 10, 2025, require three weeks notice. Performances may be responded to between August 25 and November 14; no shows will be evaluated before or after these dates. If a show is going up after November 14, you may consider having respondents attend a final dress rehearsal.
   
   
6. Submit the Play Selection Signature Form and Payment. 
   • Payment:  Can be paid online with a credit card, or a check (payable to Illinois State University)
     
     Mail To
     ISU Conference Services
     Attn:  IHSTF Production
     C.B. 8610
     Normal, IL 61790-8610
     
     
7. In addition, in order to be considered for selection at Festival, each school must be registered to attend the Festival by October 17, 2025. This means that all forms (Submit School Registration Form, Principal Acknowledgment Form, Excel List of Name, Medical/Media Release form for all participants including chaperones, and payment must be submitted. Selected schools will be given the opportunity to add to their registration at a later date. Schools can register for the Festival online beginning August 18, 2025.
   
   
8. Fees: The application fee for a Full-Length production is $90.00 and a Showcase production is $75.00. This expense covers processing fees and University expenses. The application fee can be paid online with a credit card or a check can be mailed. Payment must arrive at least one week prior to the performance. The production will not be responded to if the fee is not received.

IN ORDER FOR A PRODUCTION TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PERFORMANCE AT FESTIVAL, THE DIRECTOR, SPONSOR OF STUDENT-DIRECTED PRODUCTIONS, OR SCHOOL MUST BE EITHER AN INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATIONAL ITA MEMBER. Join Now!

PLAY SELECTION PROCESS

1. After the Full-Length or Showcase Application has been received, an email will be sent to you that will contain several attachments including the Technical Guidelines Form and Play Selection Signature Form.
   
   

2. The Play Selection Committee will secure between two and four respondents for each production and establish communication between respondents/directors regarding selected performance dates/times.
   
   

3. The response team will then view the production at the home school. Immediately following the performance, respondents will lead the cast, crew, and director in a discussion. We also ask that the director provide a quick tour of the set to the respondents. This overall session, typically lasting no more than an hour, gives students and directors an opportunity to ask questions and share their ideas with respondents.
   
   

4. The response team will submit their recommendation to the Play Selection Committee as to whether or not the production should be considered for Festival. This written response will be made available to the director in December.
   
   
5. Within a week following the performance, directors are asked to complete the Director’s Response Form online. The absolute deadline for the Director's Response Form is November 19. Please be aware: When filling out this form, you will be asked how many additional students/sponsors you need to bring if you are selected. The number of additional students/sponsors you list in here is a determining factor in the selection process. You cannot increase numbers after this form is submitted.
   

1. Selection of the Full-Length and Showcase productions will take place on Sunday, November 23, 2025. All directors must be available to receive notification of participation by telephone from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm that day.
   
   
2. A school whose Full-Length show was submitted for consideration, but not selected, may, at the discretion of the Play Selection Committee, be asked to become a Showcase production. If the school agrees to take the Showcase spot, the Play Selection Committee will discuss the changes which need to be made to fit an assigned space/time. If such an agreement is made, that production will be listed and considered as a Showcase production; therefore, the school would be eligible to submit a Full-Length again next year.
   
   
3. Schools selected to perform at the Festival must register all students who attend. Additional students and teachers who register to attend the Festival because their performance has been selected will not be charged the late registration fee. Additional students/chaperones must be listed by name on the Director’s Response Form. The number of additional students/sponsor you list in here is a determining factor in the selection process. You cannot increase numbers after this form is submitted. Your list of names will be reconfirmed on November 19 during the notification phone call. Payment along with the Medical/Media Release Form for students and chaperones that have been added must be submitted by December 3.
   
   
4. If selected, an adult or adult decision-making representative for your production MUST be in attendance for a MANDATORY walk-through meeting on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at the Illinois State University from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. If you cannot attend this meeting, your show will not be selected. This meeting is very important for information on technical needs, plaques, etc.
   
   
5. Applicant schools must absorb all expenses (including royalties, if applicable) related to participation.

1. All scenery and large prop items must be fireproofed and capable of passing a rigorous fire inspection.
   
   
2. Generally, hanging of scenery is not allowed. There may be no flying of people, and no flown scenery may move during the show. 
   
   
3. All scenery that is brought by the school is used at the sole risk of the school producing the show. 
   
   
4. The producing school shall be fully liable for any damage or injuries occurring on or around, or caused by scenery and equipment that they provide. 
   
   
5. No smoke machines or pyrotechnics are permitted to be used in any space unless granted explicit permission. 
   
   
6. Production design and scenery must be safe for actors, technicians, and all others. No production will be selected if, in the opinion of the respondents, there are questions about safety. 
   
   
7. Because of the unique characteristics of each performance venue, sets may need to be altered to fit the available space. 
   
   
8. For Full-Length productions, you will have a maximum of three hours load-in and set-up time (not necessarily consecutive), including technical adjustments and/or any stage rehearsal. Set strike will be limited to one hour. Actual set-up and strike times are based upon the length of the show, Festival schedule, scenic and technical requirements, and staff schedules. A general lighting plot will be provided, with a limited number of specials. 
   
   
9. Showcase productions will have a maximum of 15 minutes for set-up and a maximum of 5 minutes to strike. Technical support is minimal; lights are “on and off.” There is no storage for props, scenery, etc. Dressing areas are limited. Sound equipment/system, if used, must be provided by the producing school.