Performance Material

It is the responsibility of every director to clear all performances or pay the corresponding royalty fee. Musical Theatre Competitions of America is not responsible for actions taken against any participant who violates the copyright of a production.

ENSEMBLE Category:

1. Each group will have a maximum time, onstage, of 25 minutes including set-up, performance, and exit.
2. Each group will perform no more than 12 minutes of their musical.
3. The competition should feature the vocal, acting, and movement capabilities of the participants.
4. Lip-synching performances are not permitted.
5. The material presented in the competition shall include a logical beginning, middle, and conclusion. (See Recommended and Suggested Performance tips for the Ensemble Category.)
6. Each group's remaining time will be used for an on-stage clinic conducted by one of the three adjudicators.
7. Set pieces will be allowed as long as only one person can carry it.
8. Props will be allowed as long as one person can carry the prop.
9. Costumes can be used but will not be factored into scoring in any way. Creative costuming is encouraged: i.e. different shirt, type of hat, glasses, etc.
10. CD or tape accompaniment is allowed.
11. Live accompaniment is limited to five musicians who must set up and tear down within the 25-minute time limit.
12. Groups that perform beyond the 12 minute limit will be penalized 5 points from each judge for every minute or fraction thereof over the 12 minutes. A timer will be used as the official time for judges’ use.
13. The festival will be open to the public, including children and seniors. Please use judgment when using language and dress in the context of the production that would be offensive to the public at large. Any group exhibiting blatantly sexual or offensive language, acting, dancing, or costumes will be disqualified.
14. Videotaping at any time in the performance venues is not allowed.
15. Open or closed flames and pyrotechnics of any sort are not permitted in the competition.
16. One piano will be provided.

Musical Revue category:

1. Each group will have a maximum time, onstage, of 25 minutes including set-up and exit.
2. Each group will perform no more than 12 minutes of their revue.
3. The competition should feature the vocal and movement capabilities of the participants.
4. Lip-synching performances are not permitted.
5. All Musical Revue entries must be written by one composer. Example: a Cole Porter Musical Revue would contain songs solely from Cole Porter's repertoire.
6. Each group will have the remaining time for an on-stage clinic administered by one of the adjudicators.
7. Set pieces will be allowed as long as only one person can carry it.
8. Props will be allowed as long as one person can carry the prop.
9. Costumes can be used but will not be factored into scoring in any way. Creative costuming is encouraged: i.e. different shirt, type of hat, glasses, etc.
10. CD or tape accompaniment is allowed.
11. Live accompaniment is limited to five musicians who must set up and tear down within the 25-minute time limit.
12. Groups that perform beyond the 12 minute limit will be penalized 5 points from each judge for every minute or fraction thereof over the 12 minutes. A timer will be used as the official time for judges’ use.
13. The festival is open to the public, and may include children and seniors. Please use judgment when using language and dress in the context of the production that would be offensive to the public at large. Any group exhibiting blatantly sexual or offensive language,acting, dancing, or costumes will be disqualified.
14. Videotaping at any time in the performance venues is not allowed.
15. Open or closed flames and pyrotechnics of any sort are not permitted in the competition.
16. One piano will be provided.

Solo and Duet categories:

1. Time limit for these categories is 15 minutes. This includes the performance and clinic following the performance.
2. Each solo or duet will perform no more than six minutes.
3. Persons that perform beyond the 6 minute limit will be penalized 5 points from each judge for every minute or fraction thereof over the 6 minutes. A timer will be used as the official time for judges’ use.
4. Lip-synching performances are not permitted.
5. Students compete in an open category. Students entering this competition will have strong vocal, movement, and acting skills that will reflect the mood of the musical selections.
6. Set pieces are not allowed.
7. Props are allowed as long as one person can carry the prop.
8. Please use judgment when using language and dress in the context of the performance that would be offensive to the public at large. Any entry exhibiting blatantly sexual or offensive language, acting, dancing, or costumes will be disqualified.
9. Costumes can be used but will not be factored into the scoring in any way.
10. CD or tape accompaniment is allowed. Live piano accompaniment is allowed.
11. Videotaping at any time in the performance venues is not allowed.
12. Open or closed flames and pyrotechnics of any sort are not permitted in the competition.
13. One piano will be provided.
14. One PA system with CD playback will be provided.

SET AND COSTUME DESIGN categories:

1. Time limit for presentations in these categories is 15 minutes. This will include the presentation of costume/set drawings or a ½" scale model of a set (6 minutes) and clinic (remaining time).
2. Persons that present beyond the 6 minute limit will be penalized 5 points for every minute or fraction thereof. A timer will be used by the judge as the official time.
3. The drawings can be no larger than 11x14 inches and must be mounted separately.
4. Costume and Set Designs must be original student designs.
5. Videotaping at any time in the performance venues is not allowed.
6. Costume and Set Designs do NOT need to be from a production the school has performed. Creativity that goes beyond the limitations of the school’s productions and budget is encouraged. Do not enter sketches from rental costumes or purchased clothing.

RECOMMENDED AND SUGGESTED PERFORMANCE TIPS FOR THE ENSEMBLE CATEGORY:

Condensing a musical to 12 minutes can be challenging, but here are a few ideas that have worked for other groups in the past:

1. The opening number should probably be a large ensemble piece that will set the mood.
2. The transition to the second number might include minimal dialogue to assist the story line.
3. The second number should be a contrasting number from the opening and will help to set up the finale.
4. Again, some dialogue may be necessary to transition to the finale.
5. The final number should be a real closer with full ensemble singing and dancing.

Theme Parks

Seasonal Passes:

Seasonal pass privileges may not be used in conjunction with MTCA. MTCA participants are issued a special 2-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket.

Chaperones, non-participating students, and family members must purchase their Disneyland Resort tickets through MTCA for attendance at the awards ceremony. No exceptions.

A complimentary 2-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket will be issued to the director.

Miscellaneous

Musical Theatre Competitions of America reserves the right to close registration at any time.

• Musical Theatre Competitions of America reserves the right to refine, expand, and amend all rules and regulations if circumstances demand such action.
• A school with only boys or only girls enrolled in its student body may join with one other school which has only the opposite sex enrolled to enter the competition as one school. Rules and fees will apply to such a group as to a single school.
• No weapons of any type or “prop-like weapons” permitted. If there are any “prop-like weapons” that the director feels must be included in the performance, advance notice to Musical Theatre Competitions of America must be given at least 14 days prior to festival.
• Food, beverages, and smoking are not permitted in any of the performing venues.
• Teachers and directors must review the rules and regulations with their student participants and chaperones prior to the festival.
• Teachers and directors are directly responsible for their students’ behavior and the appropriateness of all selections. Profanity is discouraged. Nudity is not permitted.
• Students must maintain order and be absolutely quiet during performances.
• Entering or exiting during performances is not permitted.
• Musical Theatre Competitions of America reserves the right to disqualify all entries of an entire school for unsportsmanlike conduct and/or discourteous behavior by the director, students, or parents.

Statement of liability

Musical Theatre Competitions of America, a division of Forum Music Festivals, Inc., acts only as agents for various companies whose services and accommodations are made available and accepts no responsibility, in whole or in part, for any personal injury liability, personal liability, physical damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity which may happen by default of any hotel, amusement park, restaurant, motor coach company, or person rendering any of the services included. No responsibility is accepted for any damage or delay due to illness, pilferage, labor disputes, machinery breakdowns, quarantine, governmental restraints, weather/natural forces, or other causes beyond their personal control. MTCA/Forum Music Festivals, Inc. also disclaims any responsibility for personal injury liability or personal liability and/or physical damage arising from acts of negligence of any member of a group attending an MTCA/Forum Music Festivals, Inc. event. If it becomes necessary to cancel or alter the schedule of events, such alterations or cancellations may be made. By registering for the competition, the school agrees to indemnify and hold harmless MTCA/Forum Music Festivals, Inc. and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any financial liability or obligation incurred by either the school or any individual participant, and from any injury or damage to the person or property of others which any participant causes, or contributes to, while participating in an MTCA/Forum Music Festivals, Inc. event. Each participant hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless MTCA/Forum Music Festivals, Inc. and its officers, directors, employees, and agents form any financial liability or obligation incurred by that individual participant and from any injury or damage to the person or property of others which that participant causes, or contributes to, while participating in a MTCA/Forum Music Festivals, Inc. event. The school, by submitting the application, releases MTCA/Forum Music Festivals, Inc. and its officers, directors, employees and agents from any and all causes of actions, claims and damages of any kind, or nature, whatsoever, arising from any injury, loss, damage, cost, accident, delay, irregularity, or expense arising out of, or in any way connected with, the performance or operation of an MTCA/Forum Music Festivals, Inc. program. Furthermore: MTCA/Forum Music Festivals, Inc. disclaims all liability in actions resulting from the unlawful reproduction of scripts, lyrics and/or musical score. Any royalties or fees due the licensing agency are the sole responsibility of the performing group.