Dare to Devise Competition Rules
- This competition is about having fun, great performances and originality. We don’t want teams to spend money on expensive props and costumes. Focus on storytelling and creative ways to use whatever is handy. None of the judging criteria will reward excessive spending, so keep it simple and clever.
- AGE RANGE: There are 2 categories this year, 13-18yrs and 18-24yrs. Depending on which category you select, your team must sit inside these age brackets.
- TEAM LEADER: Teams must nominate a team leader for competition organisers to liaise with - this may be a student or teacher.
- TEAM SPOKESPERSON: Each team must nominate a member to introduce your performance. How long they take to introduce you is the time you have to set up. So if you need extra time, get a good spokesperson. They can share some amusing anecdotes of the weekend to give you a bit of extra time if needed. The introduction time is included in the 10min stage time allowance.
- TEAM LIGHTING TECHNICIAN: Each team must have a nominated Lighting tech, to sit alongside the Forum North technician to help plot the lighting, if you do not this you may be disqualified.
- TEAM SIZE: Limited to 10 people on stage at any one time. You can have additional actors in the wings.
- For an effective devising team, we strongly recommend you keep your numbers to 5.
- Competition STARTS @ 4pm FRIDAY 22nd AUGUST 2025. Team leaders will receive a txt message with 2 random elements which must be included in your final performance.
- Your team will all need to be at Forum North at 10am on SUNDAY 24th AUGUST 2025. (The venue will be open from 9am if you wish to arrive earlier)
- All teams have to attend a Health and Safety induction at 10am as well as a briefing on the running of the day.
- Team Leaders need to complete the above paperwork and pass onto NYT manager
- Find your dressing room and prepare for your tech run.
- LIGHTING: We have the Forum North lighting technician to work with your nominated lighting person. Your lighting person doesn't need to be a skilled lighting tech, the technician is there to help and guide you. Lighting technicians must be at the lighting desk throughout the performance and tech run. Teams maybe disqualified if they do not follow this rule.
- SOUND: The stage will have microphones at the front - but there are no individual mic packs available.
- MUSIC: For licensing reasons no pre-recorded/commercial music is allowed. Live sound only.
- STAGE TIME: The total stage time allowed is 10mins - that includes setting up & packing out.
- FILM CREW: The entire competition is filmed. Team Leaders will be sent a link to google folder containing with each individual performance, please download and share with your team. By entering this competition you give consent to be filmed for public and promotional use.
- TEACHER/ADULT INVOLVEMENT: A teacher or adult may be the ‘Team Leader’ and supervise groups in the 13-18yrs category, however they cannot be involved in the competition itself. Not as Directors, Script writers or in any way that influences the final performance- this can affect the judges decisions if this is not adhered to.
- TICKETS: Tickets to watch the performance will be available from Forum North (door sales only) for $10. Make sure to let friends and family know so they don’t miss out on your amazing performance, especially as there is an audience choice award. Teams will have the opportunity to watch the performances from the balcony – but must be ready backstage for their performance cues.
- PRIZES: All team members need to be on stage at the end of the evening for the awards presentation. For teams who win a prize, we will email your TEAM LEADER the following week to collect bank details - TEAM LEADERS are responsible for collecting prizes on behalf of their team.
- Judges decisions are final and no negotiation may be entered into. (Please see judging criteria here)