AUGUST 22nd, 23rd, 24th 2025
Dare to Devise is a 48 hour Drama Competition open to teams aged 13-18yrs and 18-24yrs. FREE to enter and registration closes August 17th 2025.
The pressure cooker environment of 48 hours to write, rehearse and perform is an exciting way to create original performance. There isn't time to second guess, fuss over costume and set - it's raw and honest storytelling - often funny and always sleep deprived. It involves all team members working together cooperatively, in all aspects of theatre production, from concept to performance. In 48 hours you perform to an audience and a panel of expert judges.
This competition is all about having fun, great performances and originality. We don't want teams to spend money on expensive props and costumes. It is more important to 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.
A teacher or adult may supervise a 13-18yrs group, however they cannot be involved in the competition itself - not as directors, script writers or in any way influence the final performance.
The pressure cooker environment of 48 hours to write, rehearse and perform is an exciting way to create original performance. There isn't time to second guess, fuss over costume and set - it's raw and honest storytelling - often funny and always sleep deprived. It involves all team members working together cooperatively, in all aspects of theatre production, from concept to performance. In 48 hours you perform to an audience and a panel of expert judges.
This competition is all about having fun, great performances and originality. We don't want teams to spend money on expensive props and costumes. It is more important to 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.
A teacher or adult may supervise a 13-18yrs group, however they cannot be involved in the competition itself - not as directors, script writers or in any way influence the final performance.
Find a group of dramatic friends to spend the weekend with. Aside from the obvious (ACTORS), you'll also need:
A LIGHTING PERSON - This person doesn't need to be a lighting expert as there will be a limited number of lighting states to choose from, they just need to know the story well enough to be able to sit alongside the house technician through out the performance and during your teams tech run(see Dare to Devise Rules for more info). All Lighting techies need to attend a debrief on Sunday morning. A TEAM SPOKESPERSON - This person introduces your performance. They need to talk a little bit about the weekend and answer a few friendly questions from the MC. Their role is to buy your team some time so they can set up the stage for your performance. BACKSTAGE CREW (optional) - If you have a lot to pack in and pack out (we recommend you keep it simple so an not to take up your stage time) make sure you have some help. Listen to the Stage manager, they will help you out with where to place your props/set in the wings so they aren't a hazard in the dark. Too many people backstage will become a hazard, so make sure to keep your crew small and efficient. |
|
TEAM LEADER - This person needs to be reliable and responsible, because they will be the communication link between the organisers and your team.
Team Leaders are in charge of: Registering your team, Making sure all the paperwork is complete, reading and making sure their team is aware of the rules, receiving the txt'd random elements and most importantly any prize money will go directly to the team leader so they are responsible for sharing it with there team mates.
Team Leaders can register be emailing [email protected], or just fill in the google form above.
Team Leaders are in charge of: Registering your team, Making sure all the paperwork is complete, reading and making sure their team is aware of the rules, receiving the txt'd random elements and most importantly any prize money will go directly to the team leader so they are responsible for sharing it with there team mates.
Team Leaders can register be emailing [email protected], or just fill in the google form above.
|
COMPETITION STARTS - At 5pm on the Friday. TEAM LEADERS will be txt 2 random elements to include in your performance.
These could be a line of Dialogue, a Prop, a Character or an action. Be creative with your interpretation, we try to choose things that can be interpreted in a number of interesting ways. START DEVISING - As soon as you have you random elements, start creating. Try to get a basic outline on Friday night so you have all Saturday to flesh it out. Your performance will be a max of 6 mins, but it can be shorter. The Judges will be looking for great acting and good clear story telling. You have an amazing stage to perform on, think about how to best use that space. On Sunday teams need to sign in at Form North at 10am where there will be a compulsory Health and Safety meeting for ALL cast and crew. Teams will be allocated 20 mins for a tech run, the more prepared and organised you are, the easier it will be fore your lighting person to use this precious time well. |
|
|
SHOW TIME - Stay with your Team Leader, and a runner will call you to wait in the wings. The stage manage will let you know when you're good to go :)
While you are waiting and after you've performed, you can watch the other teams from the balcony seats. Please read all the RULES before the competition , they're important to know and can affect judges decisions if bent or broken. |
|
|
2018 Dare to Devise AWARDS
|
|