The Expo provides student designers, technicians, managers, and dramaturgs the opportunity to showcase their work and receive feedback from professionals working in the field. Students will present a project comprised of materials that clearly tell the story of the process, evolution, and art of the design or technology component. Recognitions are presented for designs and other allied projects, appraised on the basis of quality, effectiveness, originality, and visual presentation techniques.
Eligibility
We CELEBRATE all the diverse and innovative work in the nation in the areas of Design, Technology, and Management.
All work created in 2023, either in class or for a campus stage, is eligible this year to participate in the National DTM Program and will be considered for national honors and awards.
To be eligible a student must:
All work created in 2023, either in class or for a campus stage, is eligible this year to participate in the National DTM Program and will be considered for national honors and awards.
To be eligible a student must:
- Have designed or created a technology project at their home institution in 2023.
- Be a bona fide student in 2023.
- Be registered for and attend the Regional Festival to showcase their project and participate in response sessions.
How to Participate
Fill out the entry form, submit a Google Slides presentation (guidelines below) of your work AND display your work at the festival (guidelines below). After reviewing your Google Slides and physical presentation you will receive feedback from responders.
Design Categories
All categories should include materials that show your process!
Costume Design:
Suggested materials include:
Scene Design:
Suggested materials include:
Lighting Design:
Suggested materials include:
Projection Designer:
Suggested materials include:
Sound Designer:
Suggested materials include:
Costume Design:
Suggested materials include:
- Process work such as a design statement, research images, etc.
- Paperwork such as costume plots, change charts, etc.
- Visual representation of the design - preliminary renderings, final renderings, fabric swatches, etc.
- Realized projects should include production photo(s).
Scene Design:
Suggested materials include:
- Process work such as a design statement, research images, ground plans, etc.
- Visual representations of the design - preliminary sketches, front elevations, section views, final renderings and/or models.
- Realized work should include production photo(s).
Lighting Design:
Suggested materials include:
- Process work such as a design statement, research images, etc.
- Paperwork such as a lighting plot, cue sheets, magic sheets, etc.
- Visual representations of the design.
- Realized work should include production photo(s).
Projection Designer:
Suggested materials include:
- Process work such as a design statement, research images, items that led to the design compositions.
- Paperwork such as a plot, projection system, any additional organizational paperwork
- Realized work should include production photo(s).
- Clearly identifiable links or digital files with selected cues and the manipulations that lead to those compositions
Sound Designer:
Suggested materials include:
- Process work such as a design statement, any supporting materials that show the process leading to the design
- Paperwork such as a sound plot, sound system design, etc.
- Realized work should include production photo(s).
- Clearly identifiable links or digital files with selected cues and the manipulations that lead to those compositions.
- While there is no time limit for cues/clips, consider what best and most concisely showcases your desired cue/work.
Allied Design & Technology Categories
This category addresses the range of technical challenges that theatre presents and celebrates the process of reaching a solution. Areas for consideration include:
Materials for all areas should show the following:
- Technical Directors
- Master Electricians
- Sound Engineers
- Costume Technologists
- Costume Craft Artisans
- Hair and Makeup Artisans
- Make-up Design
- Prop Artisans
- Scenic Artists
Materials for all areas should show the following:
- Clarify the problem or subject being addressed
- Process materials such as research, working drawings, anything that shows your investigation
- Paperwork appropriate to the project. This may include drafting, tracking sheets, etc
- Visual representations of the project, such as renderings, schematics, etc
- Projects based on realized productions should include production photo(s) if possible
Publicity Category
This category includes things like poster, program and/or marketing design.
Suggested materials include:
Suggested materials include:
- Process work such as research, color palettes, etc
- Visual representation of your design, such as preliminary sketches, drafts, final designs
- Photos of your work being used in social media may be included.
- Photos of your work being used in social media may be included.
Google Slides Guidelines
All presentations will be limited to 12 slides.
In your completed google slide presentation:
- Slide 1: Title Slide. Please include:
- student’s name
- student’s area of discipline
- name of the production, including the playwright’s name.
- If this is a realized production, please also include the names and disciplines of the other designers involved.
- Please use an easy-to-read font.
- Please do not include the name of your school on this or any supporting slides. (We realize that this last point can cause difficulty for marketing/publicity/poster designers. We understand that the name of your school is already printed on your publicity materials. We do not expect you to remove the name of the school from your posters/programs/marketing materials as this will affect your design. But please do not include your school name anywhere else in your presentation.
- Slide 2: Design Statement Slide.
- Write several descriptive sentences that communicate the purpose, focus, and fundamental concept of your design.
- Please use an easy-to-read font.
- Slides 3-11: Supporting Materials Slides. Choose elements that best articulate and document your conceptual approach, process, and production. A list of suggested materials to include can be found above.
- Slide 12: Closing Slide. Please summarize your experience working on this project. Choose one or two of the following questions to assist your thought process.
- What did you learn about the art of your discipline from working on this project?
- What did you learn about yourself as an artist from working on this project?
- How did working on this project play to your strengths and weaknesses?
- What challenges do you foresee in bringing this project to life? (if you worked on an unrealized design)
In your completed google slide presentation:
- On the file menu select "File".
- Select "Publish to Web".
- Select "Embed".
- Set the slide size to "Medium (960x569)".
- Leave the "Auto-advance slides" to the default of "every 3 seconds".
- Select the "Start slideshow as soon as the player loads" checkbox.
- Select the "Restart the slideshow after the last slide" checkbox.
- Select the "Publish" button.
- Copy the code displayed in the text window for inclusion in the expo entry form.
Festival Display Guidelines
- Each display will have approximately 4’x4’ display area except for sound design which will have approximately 2’ x 3’ of display area and a table for playback devices.
- Your display should have your name and the name of the production, including the playwright’s name visible.
- Please do not include the name of your school on your display.
- Remember to credit your research and photos where possible.
- Optionally, you may bring up to two supporting 3-D items (dress form, model, project, production book/bible, etc.)
- Items should not block the walkway around your board or other presenters’ work.
- Limited tables or music stands will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Items should not block the walkway around your board or other presenters’ work.
National Recognitions
One student in each design discipline (Costume, Lighting, Scenic, Projections, and Sound) will be chosen from each region to participate in the National Festival.
At the National Festival, students will have an opportunity to present their design projects and network with student and professional designers from across the country. Students will be eligible for various professional training opportunities, fellowships, and awards based on their projects and work during the festival.
At the National Festival, students will have an opportunity to present their design projects and network with student and professional designers from across the country. Students will be eligible for various professional training opportunities, fellowships, and awards based on their projects and work during the festival.
Region 5 Recognitions (dependent on student entries)
Vectorworks Recognition: Celebrating a project that demonstrates a clear solution from concept through process and completion potential. This multidisciplinary award is for a Regional KCACTF entry in the areas of Scenic Design, Lighting Design and/or Technical Direction. It is intended to help the recipient in developing their creative approach, and to promote thoughtful and explorative processes.
SPAM Recognition: This award sponsored by Society of Prop Masters and Artisans celebrates the project that reaches a high level of artistry and functionality in the discipline of Props Design.
Jane Childs DTM Legacy Recognition- celebrates student designers and technicians presenting work for the first time at The Expo. Along with this award comes a copy of Robert Edmond Jones’ The Dramatic Imagination.
“In our world of live entertainment, we are all too often embracing the newest and the best “hows” for our productions. This little book reminds us of the “why” of this art in the first place: we collaborate to share stories that are founded in our dramatic imaginations. This book is a celebration of that “why” and should be part of everyone’s libraries and one’s conscience for making good choices! This award is to encourage further exploration within the student’s area of interest in design and technology.”
Don Childs Cross Discipline Collaboration Recognition– There will be teams nominated from each region to be considered for the overall award.
Puppeteers of America Recognition- KCACTF Design Expo Award in Puppetry sponsored by Puppeteers of America. Projects which feature puppetry (defined as the manipulation of an object to create the illusion of life) in a significant way are eligible to receive a two-year membership to POA. A few member benefits are:
Subscription to the Puppetry Journal (Quarterly publication).
Criteria:
SPAM Recognition: This award sponsored by Society of Prop Masters and Artisans celebrates the project that reaches a high level of artistry and functionality in the discipline of Props Design.
Jane Childs DTM Legacy Recognition- celebrates student designers and technicians presenting work for the first time at The Expo. Along with this award comes a copy of Robert Edmond Jones’ The Dramatic Imagination.
“In our world of live entertainment, we are all too often embracing the newest and the best “hows” for our productions. This little book reminds us of the “why” of this art in the first place: we collaborate to share stories that are founded in our dramatic imaginations. This book is a celebration of that “why” and should be part of everyone’s libraries and one’s conscience for making good choices! This award is to encourage further exploration within the student’s area of interest in design and technology.”
Don Childs Cross Discipline Collaboration Recognition– There will be teams nominated from each region to be considered for the overall award.
Puppeteers of America Recognition- KCACTF Design Expo Award in Puppetry sponsored by Puppeteers of America. Projects which feature puppetry (defined as the manipulation of an object to create the illusion of life) in a significant way are eligible to receive a two-year membership to POA. A few member benefits are:
Subscription to the Puppetry Journal (Quarterly publication).
- Discounted registration to all regional and national Puppeteers of America festivals.
- Eligibility for scholarships and awards to attend the National Festival and aid in funding development for new projects.
- Access to and listing in the Puppeteers of America Membership Directory.
- Access to the Puppeteers of America audiovisual library and archives.
Criteria:
- Project effectively combines function and aesthetics within the puppet.
- Process demonstrates understanding and consideration of the puppet/actor relationship.
- Student expresses energy/passion/enthusiasm for the art of puppetry.
If you have any questions please contact Region 5 Chair for Design, Technology and
Management, Billy Wilburn at [email protected]
Management, Billy Wilburn at [email protected]
Entry for this event is now closed.
Please remember, in order to participate in this event, you must register for the festival