About The Inter-House Play festival

 The Inter-House play festival is an annual event at St Benedict’s College. Each house has a senior boy as a director – a Drama student - who chooses a play to cast; direct and present. The student is assessed and the result contributes to his practical assessment for Drama. Other Drama students may act or do technical work the production and are also assessed. Professionals from the Performing Arts industry act as adjudicators for the festival.The festival is a competition that consists of a preliminary round and a final round. Houses compete for the prestigious Best Production Award.

Awards

Nominations and merit awards are given in the following categories

Note: Adjudicators may choose to introduce a specific award should they see a need.

Rules and Regulations

1. Entry is limited to one play per House, at the discretion of the Head of Drama.
2. An entry must consist of a one-act play, or an excerpt from a full length play, which is in itself intelligible to an audience not acquainted with that play from which the excerpt is taken; or, an original play written by a pupil of the school, for the express purpose of presenting it at this Festival.
3. A play shall have a minimum of two speaking parts, all of which shall form an integral part of the play as written.
4. The minimum playing time of the play shall be twenty (20) minutes, and the maximum playing time forty-five (45) minutes. A five (5) minute period of grace will be given to plays running overtime, during which one (1) mark will be deducted for every thirty (30) seconds exceeding full time, (up to ten (10) marks), after which the play will be disqualified.
5. A rehearsal schedule is provided. Times and dates must be strictly adhered to.
6. In producing the play, learners may have the assistance of one member of staff. In this event, the extent and area of assistance must be specifically stated in the programme details. With the exception of this teacher, all those involved in the production of the play must be bone fide students of the school.
7. On the night of the production, only the specified teacher will be permitted backstage, but NOT ON Stage.
8. The stage must be set in five (5) minutes and struck (cleared) in five (5) minutes. Marks will be deducted for exceeding this time limit. A two (2) minute period of grace will be given, during which time one (1) mark will be deducted for every fifteen (15) seconds over time (up to a maximum of eight (8) marks). After this time, the play will be disqualified, at the discretion of the Festival Stage Director.
9. Entrants must provide a STAGE MANAGER, a SOUND OPERATOR and a LIGHTING TECHNICIAN to liaise with the FESTIVAL technicians.
10. THE ADJUDICATORS will judge using a score sheet which will be given to the director of each house with the ADJUDICATORS’ written appraisal of the play, within a month after Festival, (please allow some time for the mail).
11. THE ADJUDICATORS, as in any competition, may not be approached either in person or in writing - either before, during or after the performance of the play. Such approach will be deemed an infringement of the RULES. If you find it necessary to make representation, this must be done through the Head of the Drama Department, or via The Head of Culture. This applies equally to pupils, teachers, parents, and supporters of the event.
12. Each house must provide:
    • Programme Particulars
    • A poster
    • A final copy of the script

About the Major Production

The Major Production is held bi-annually at St Benedict’s College alternating yearly with either one of our sister schools Holy Rosary and Assumption convent. The Major production usually takes place in the third term. Not only is this an opportunity for the boys to develop their performance and technical skills in Drama, but it also allows them to build lasting friendships with girls from the sister schools.

To be part of the major production is to be part of the ultimate team. A team in which the participants have the opportunity to develop self-discipline, responsibility towards and consideration for others, professionalism, team work, confidence and the ability to persevere towards a goal. Along with this they also explore their artistic talents through singing, acting, dancing, set building and painting. A production of this nature develops not only the talent of the participants and their ability to work in a group but also develops technical skills – microphone technique, art, music, drama, drama, set design, lighting, sound and crew work. Ultimately, the life skills, the fun and socialising that come with doing work of this nature is unforgettable.

“The standards are high. The competition is fierce. The experience is unforgettable.”

The annual RAPS Schools' One-Act Play Festival is a Johannesburg institution that has been in existence for over 40 years. The RAPS Festival is an Amateur Dramatics Competition, where 40-42 schools from around the country, predominantly Gauteng compete in a One Act Festival. Each school presents a production in the preliminary round. Six schools are then chosen to go through to the semi-finals. Finally, three schools are chosen for the Finals and on this night the Winning play is chosen. Other prestigious awards for acting, lighting, stage management and scripting are given to students selected from the 42 schools.

This is the most acclaimed Dramatic Arts Festival for schools in the country. Over 2000 plays have been performed and over 40 000 students have participated in the festival. Some of South Africa's most loved performers and entertainers began their careers treading the boards at the RAPS Festival, and it remains a highlight in Johannesburg's cultural calendar. The standards are high. The competition is fierce. The experience is unforgettable.

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