Academics  

The Function of the Critic Judge

The most important function of the critic judge is to serve as an educator.  True, advancing schools and individual awards must be selected, but adjudication without a carefully prepared critique, which teaches as it evaluates, deprives play competition of a most valuable feature, opportunity for qualitative improvement.

An effective critique requires, among other things, extensive knowledge of all styles and types of drama/theatre, and an understanding of the physical theatre with special concern for limitations often imposed in school theatre plants and scenic limitations of the One-Act Play Contest.  The successful judge must be able to discuss the plays seen in a firm but courteous manner.  The judge must be objective, direct, and detailed in criticism without imposing opinions dictatorially.

The critic judge has the special responsibility of evaluating seriously the efforts of the director and play company and of treating them and their performance with respect.  They have deliberately engaged in creative competition which offers a variety of cultural and practical opportunities.  Through many hours of rehearsal they have sought to perfect creative performances not only to win the contest, but for the satisfaction which comes through the search for perfection in the arts.  The critic judge must be familiar with the HANDBOOK, the rules of the One-Act Play Contest in the current Constitution and Contest Rules and understand limitations imposed on directors.  To treat their effort casually would defeat a most important function of critic judging.

The critic judge should use professional skills and experience to make each contest a pleasant and richly educational experience in the lives of young people as they seek to understand more fully the art of theatre.

Qualifications of Judges

Judges for the One-Act Play Contest are selected from the current Accredited List of Critic Judges [Section 1033 (d) (3) (A)], secured from the League and provided by the Texas Educational Theatre Association Adjudicators’ Organization.  It includes only those individuals from whom an agreement to serve has been received.  Each judge must agree to become familiar with the rules of the One-Act Play Contest and all sections of this HANDBOOK.

Critic judging workshops are conducted at the annual meeting of the Texas Educational Theatre Association. Publicity concerning these workshops is sent to Texas Educational Theatre Association members, college and university drama/theatre faculties, community theatre professional staff and potential judges requesting information.

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