“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.