DTM Expo

Design, Technology and Management (DTM) Expo

Students will present a design or technology project comprised of materials which clearly tell the story of the process, evolution, and art of the design or technology component. A team of theatre design and technology respondents will serve as selection panelists and respond to the projects.

How to Participate

  1. Register for the Regional Festival.
  2. Fill out the DTM Registration Form before December 18th, 2023
  3. Submit a digital design or project presentation(guidelines below) of your work before January 10th, 2024
    • Link for digital submission will be e-mailed after December 18th, 2023.
  4. Display your work at the festival (guidelines below). 
  5. Present orally to the responders and receive feedback.

Design Categories

  • Process work such as a design statement in outline form, research images, preliminary sketches, etc.
  • Visual representation of the design – preliminary renderings, final renderings, fabric swatches, etc.
  • Realized work should include production photo(s).
  • Process work such as a design statement in outline form, research images, etc.
  • Paperwork such as a lighting plot, cue sheets, magic sheets, etc.
  • Visual representations of the design.
  • Realized work should include production photo(s).
  • Process work such as a design statement in outline form, research images, items that led to the design compositions.
  • Paperwork such as a plot, projection system, any additional organizational paperwork
  • Realized work should include production photo(s).
  • Clearly identifiable links or digital files with selected cues and the manipulations that lead to those compositions
  • Process work such as a design statement in outline form, research images, preliminary sketches, preliminary ground plans, etc.
  • Visual representations of the design – color sketches, finalized ground plan, front elevations, section views, final renderings and/or models.
  • Realized work should include production photo(s).
  • Process work such as a design statement in outline form, any supporting materials that show the process leading to the design
  • Paperwork such as a sound plot, sound system design, etc.
  • Realized work should include production photo(s).
  • Clearly identifiable links or digital files with selected cues and the manipulations that lead to those compositions.
  • While there is no time limit for cues/clips, consider what best and most concisely showcases your desired cue/work.

  • This category addresses the range of technical challenges that theatre presents and celebrates the process of reaching a solution. 

    Areas for consideration include:

    • Technical Directors
    • Master Electricians
    • Sound Engineers
    • Costume Technologists
    • Costume Craft Artisans
    • Hair and Makeup Artisans
    • Make-up Design
    • Prop Artisans
    • Scenic Artists

Materials for all areas should show the following:

  • Clarify the problem or subject being addressed
  • Process materials such as research, working drawings, anything that shows your investigation
  • Paperwork appropriate to the project.  This may include drafting, tracking sheets, etc
  • Visual representations of the project, such as renderings, schematics, etc
  • Projects based on realized productions should include production photo(s) if possible

SUBMISSION PROCESS SPECIFICS

BEFORE FESTIVAL

Digital Design/Project Submission Guidelines

Create a presentation slides file with Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint or a presentation slides software. 

All presentations will be limited to 12 slides.

Materials for all areas should show the following:

  • Clarify the problem or subject being addressed
  • Process materials such as research, working drawings, and anything that shows your investigation
  • Paperwork appropriate to the project.  This may include drafting, tracking sheets, etc
  • Visual representations of the project, such as renderings, schematics, etc
  • Projects based on realized productions should include production photo(s) if possible
Slide 1: Title Slide

Please include:

  • student’s name

  • student’s area of discipline

  • name of the production, including the playwright’s name. 

  • If this is a realized production, please also include the names and disciplines of the other designers involved.

  • Please use an easy-to-read font. (e.g., Arial, Helvetica)

  • No smaller than 24 points font size.

  • Please do not include the name of your school on this or any supporting slides. 

Slide 2: A Statement of Design Concept and/or Production Concept of the play in outline form
  • Write several descriptive sentences that communicate the purpose, focus, and fundamental concept of your design.
  • If you want to write a sentence, please make it short and precise.
  • The time, place, and setting (if applicable).
  • Please use an easy-to-read font. (e.g., Arial, Helvetica)
  • No smaller than 24 points font size.
  • Example:
  • Your emotional reaction to the play.
  • A metaphor or a visual object to describe your emotional reaction.
  • Design elements to describe your design solutions (line, shape, texture, color, value, tempo, etc.)
  • Mood, description of the world of the play you want to create.
Slides 3-11: Supporting Materials Slides
  • Choose elements that best articulate and document your conceptual approach, process, and production.
  • Please see the Design Categories and Supporting Materials section above.
    Slide 12: Closing/Reflection Slide
    • Please summarize your experience working on this project.
    • Choose one or two of the following questions to assist your thought process.
    • What did you learn about the art of your discipline from working on this project?
    • What did you learn about yourself as an artist from working on this project?
    • How did working on this project play to your strengths and weaknesses?
    • What challenges do you foresee in bringing this project to life? (if you worked on an unrealized design)
    Submit the shareable link to the digital design or project presentation submission form

    The link to upload your presentation will be available and e-mailed after the December 18th registration deadline. 

    How to get the shareable link:

    Google Slides: 

    “File”> ”Share”> “Share with others”> Click the dropdown menu on General Access 

    > Select “ Anyone with the link” > Click “Copy Link” (You are ready to paste to the submission form!)

    Google Drive:

    Click the three vertical dots>”Share”>”Share”>”Click the dropdown menu on General Access 

    > Select “ Anyone with the link” > Click “Copy Link” (You are ready to paste to the submission form!)

    Microsoft PowerPoint:

    “File”>”Share”>”Share with People”> Click Gear Icon (Sharing Settings)>Select “Anyone” > Click 

    “Apply”> Click “Copy Link”  (You are ready to paste to the submission form!)

    Microsoft OneDrive:

    Click the three horizontal dots>”Share”>Click Gear Icon (Sharing Settings)>Select “Anyone” > Click 

    “Apply”> Click “Copy Link”  (You are ready to paste to the submission form!)

    AT FESTIVAL

    Physical Display Guidelines
    • When arriving at Festival in January, check in at the Design/Tech/Management table to receive your assigned exhibit space.
    • You will receive a table space approximately 3 sq. feet and extra table/floor space might be available upon request.
    • Region II will not provide pin-up board this year. Please bring a self-standing presentation board for your display. (Tri-fold display board is recommended.)
    • Stage Management entries have table space only, approximately 3 sq. feet. Pin-up space is not permitted.
    • Exhibits must be set-up and taken down at the assigned load-in and strike times. 
    • It is expected that your work stay in place for the entire festival. 
    • Students who can not attend set-up must find a way to have their presentation set up in their absence, and those students that need to leave prior to the final strike must find a way to prearrange the removal and safe return of their design work. 
    • Work removed early will not be considered for awards.
    • Although the Region II gallery space will be secured during the day exhibitors are responsible for the safeguarding of their own equipment.
    • All exhibits will be photographed for the KCACTF Region II archives and some images may be used on the Region II website. If you do not wish to have your work documented, please contact the Chair of Design and Technology directly.
    Oral Presentation and Response Guideline
    • Projects are evaluated on the basis of your exhibit display and your oral presentation.
    • Typical responses allow 3-5 minutes for the exhibitor to present their work at the designated area.
    • This is followed by a short question and answer period by a panel of respondents.
    • The Oral Presentations will be timed to assure equal time is given to each presenter.
    • Please refer to the National Guidelines for additional information.