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| Competition | |
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Basic Competition Information
As a paid registrant, if you desire and space
is available, you may enter the Puppetry Festival's competition.
If you are a paid registrant and just want to attend the festival
to watch the competition, that's fine too. You really should attend
a workshop available as well.
You may enter competition with a paid registration. To enter, please
complete the "Competition Information" section of your registration
form.
We require a $10 non-refundable
fee to enter. An entry into the puppet song or creative ministry
competitions will cost each team $10; entering both song and creative
ministry divisions will cost $20.
Each church/organization may enter once in the "puppet song"
competition and once in the "creative ministry" competition.
The number of entries will be limited due to time constraints, so
register early to be sure you're included in the competition.
Entries are taken on a first come/first served basis.
Purposes of Competition
Participants in the Festival Competition
are reminded that the overall purpose of performing is to minister
and to share their ministry with others.
- Teams benefit from receiving written feedback from qualified judges.
- Competition allows ministry teams to share material they have been working on.
- Observers can gain many new ideas from watching others perform.
- The challenge of competition encourages
participants to work hard and do their best.
The two divisions of competition are "Puppet Song" and "Creative Ministry."
- Entries in the Puppet Song Competition must be one song of five minutes or less. Song competition is held on Friday night only.
- Entries in the Creative Ministry Competition
must be either live or prerecorded and five minutes or less. Creative
Ministry competition is held on Saturday morning only. This
competition may only include: Puppet Skits • Ventriloquism
• Clown Skits • Mime Routines • Dowel Rod Performances • Human Videos.
Any puppet skit that contains a recorded song being lip synched
should be entered in the song category. Background music is acceptable
in "Creative Ministry" as long as puppets are not lip
synching a song. Here is a definition of what "Creative Ministry" competition is and is not.
You may enter either the "song" or "creative ministry" division, or you may enter both divisions. Each church/organization may enter a MAXIMUM of two entries; one in each division.
Time Limits
The time limit is five minutes for the "Puppet Song" competition and five minutes for the "Creative Ministry" competition. One point will be deducted from each judge's score sheet for each 30 seconds overtime. Any entry going more than two minutes overtime will be disqualified. You need not try to fill the entire time allotment. It is better to strive for QUALITY not quantity.
Set-Up Time
Plan to be ready to perform within three minutes after you enter the stage. One point will be deducted from each judge's score sheet for each minute of delay beyond the three minute allotment for setup. All props, scenery, or other equipment should be quickly put in place and removed immediately after the performance.
Competition Evaluation
Entries in the competitions will each receive Gold, Silver, or Bronze awards based on the judges' evaluations of each performing group. The judges may present additional awards for outstanding puppetry technique, exceptional use of props and scenery, originality, and best portrayal of our theme "Joy in the Journey" In addition to the judges' awards, each group attending the festival will vote for one group in each division to receive the "People's Choice" award.
Judging Criteria
The groups who perform in the competition will receive a written critique and a score based on the following criteria:
- Entrances and exits
- Height and positioning of the puppets
- Focus toward audience and each other
- Rod arm/human arm technique
- Lip synchronization/mouth movement
- Appropriate costumes
- Props, scenery, and special effects
- Staging and choreography (planned movement)
- Relevant puppet action and reaction
- Content/message of presentation
- Audience appeal
- Entrances & Exits
- Manipulation vents: (lip control)
- Poise (Stage presence, Body control)
- Focus (Eye focus to audience & each other)
- Characterization (Voice Quality, Personality, Character interpretation)
- Timing (Tempo of dialogue and movement)
- Unique Skills (Face & costume design & application, Choreography & precision)
- Staging (Stage movement, Showmanship, Costume/appearance)
- Props & Scenery (Appropriateness, Illusion of reality)
- Content/Message
Bonus points may be awarded for originality of material, special effects, outstanding live voices, or overall excellence of the presentation.
One point will be deducted from each judge sheet for each 30 seconds of "overtime" beyond the time limit. Teams will be disqualified if time exceeds limit by two minutes or more.
Be ready to perform within three minutes after you enter the stage. One point will be deducted from each judge's score sheet for each minute of delay beyond the three minute allotment for setup. (See above section on Time Limits for more information.)
Stage Set-Up
Due to time and space limitations, groups who enter the competition are not allowed to use their own stages. A stage and sound system will be provided for all groups to use. The stage will have two levels. Puppeteers on the lower level perform from a kneeling position, while those performing on the upper level stand. Please bring your own kneeling pads or benches. Props need to be hand-held, free-standing, or draped over the curtain.
Props and Scenery
NO pyrotechnics - This means that the use of electric flash pots, electric confetti cannon, and flash paper is prohibited in any competition piece. Violaters will be disqualified. CO2 confetti cannon and similar non-flame effects are allowable. Fog machines, smoke-in-a-can and similar smoke effects are not allowed.
All props should be either "freestanding" or hand-held. Do not assume that there will be any type of prop rack available. All scenery should be of a lightweight type that can be draped over the stage or hung from the stage pipes or bars.
Answers to Other Questions
Q: May we enter the competition before we register?
A: No. Your paid registrations should be sent in at the same time as your entry. You may also enter competition after you register if space is available.
Q: If we find we cannot participate after we have entered, should we let you know?
A: Yes. Please let us know immediately so we can allow someone else to compete. The competition fee is nonrefundable.
Q: May we use our own stage?
A: No. We will supply the stage, lighting, and sound for competition sessions.
Q: May we "check out" the stage prior to competing?
A: It is not possible to allow teams inside the stage prior to the opening performance. Please use the stage diagram provided to obtain height measurements for your teams.
Q: Is there an age limit to participation?
A: Yes. All participants must be eight (8) years of age or older.
Q: May we enter clown skits, mime, dowel rod, human video into the competition?
A: Yes. Such entries may enter the creative ministry division.
Q: Is there a limit to the total number of entries in the competitions?
A: Yes. The limit varies based on the size and schedule of the festival.
Q: If the competition is full, will there be a waiting list?
A: Yes. There is a waiting list. If space becomes available, we will call you IMMEDIATELY. If you do not hear from us you may assume you are still on the waiting list. It is up to you as to whether or not to bring your materials.
Q: Are the blacklights provided?
A: Blacklights are provided for the Friday night Puppet Song competition only. They will be mounted inside the stage. If you need blacklight on the platform, it is your responsibility to provide them.
Q: If we plan to use live voices, will there be headset mics available?
A: Yes. We will provide a maximum of four wired headset mics for creative ministry competition only. Please let us know in advance so we can be prepared.
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