Audience rules:  Once the doors are shut for a performance, no one is allowed in or out. To do so, unless in the case of an extreme emergency, and that would only be for an exit, would bring disqualification to the school who’s member violated that policy. Also, any rude behavior can bring disqualification. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES is it permitted to critique a show or a school while sitting in the audience. This can bring dismissal from the Festival for more than that year. It is, however, totally permissible to wear ATC shirts and be supportive of our school in a positive manner.  Every performance is open to anyone who wants to see it, to include all family and friends. All performances are free and on a first come first seated basis.

District Festival: the initial competition, usually held locally among 5-6 schools. Most school progress to the Regional Level.

Regional Festival: The intermediate competition, held either locally or regionally 6-7 schools. This festival is more competitive and many schools are disqualified at this level.

State Festival: A two day festival, we usually spend the night, unless we host it. It is very competitive, but the kids get to meet other kids from all over the State.

Scoring: 3 judges score all performances and a tally of their scores declare the winners. There are many rules, Ed Guay can clarify some of the rules if you have more questions.

Spike: The 25 minutes before the school’s performance time. The students “spike” the stage, and practice setting up and warm up on stage. The performance area must be clear of all performance material at the end of spike, before the official performance begins.

Performance Time: The company has 45 minutes to set up, perform and remove the production. Official timers keep track of time. The performance may run short, but there is a penalty for running over the 45 minutes.

Load In: Each school is provided a time to unload their trucks and get situated in the scene shop prior to their Spike time. A judge is present to take notes on the company’s efficiency and professionalism.

Load Out:  Each school is provided a time to pack their trucks after performance time.

Critique: The cast and any interested parties meet with the judges to hear an oral summary of what the judges’ views were about the production. It is important for all observers to be perfectly quiet and well behaved, no matter what they think about what the judges say. The oral critique can be very different from the actual scores and it is the scores that matter in the final tally of winners.

Home Room: the room assigned to each school to rest, gather and meet before and after a performance. This is the ONLY space that personal observations about other performances can be shared, although it is preferable to keep our critiques to ourselves until we are on the way home.

Lunch Room: Usually the only place that food can be consumed. Most schools do not allow eating in the home rooms. We try to support the local boosters by asking the kids to bring money for one meal. If multiple meals are required, our Boosters often provide some meals for our students.

Theme of the Competition: Every other year is comedy, the other years are dramas. Both can have plays that are musicals.  Directors should consider the values of the district they represent in choosing their play. Most plays are edited versions of full length plays.

Hosting a Festival: Our Boosters usually host one of the Festivals. We have a playbook to guide us in providing the best and most reasonably priced food and services at the biggest profit possible, as this is a good fundraiser for us. We need lots of parent participation to make it a success, but no one should have to work more than a couple of hours.

Company members:  MIFA is a privilege to participate in and as such is an application and audition only process. The MIFA Company is limited in it’s size due to travel constraints. It is possible that not everyone (especially Freshmen) who wants to participate in cast or crew will be able to be included. We do however, offer opportunities to be involved in the Host Committee for those who did not receive a spot in the MIFA Company.