DTM Exhibit Information
THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR ALL DTM PROGRAMS IS DECEMBER 15th, 2023
Festival 56 – Design, Technology and Management 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.
Supporting materials that have proven most useful include combinations of the following: production photographs, a design statement, research images, preliminary sketches, white models, color models, color sketches, drafting including sections, recording of sound cues and manipulations that lead to those compositions, design bibles, story boards, costume plates, fabric and trim swatches, costume plot, cue synopsis, tracking sheets, and the like. This is in no way meant to be a definitive list. Choose elements that best articulate and document the conceptual approach, process, and the production.

How to Participate
Mission
DEADLINE for registering for DTM exhibit is December 15, 2023 – See below for when exhibit link is due.
We are thrilled to be returning to an in-person event for Festival 56! Students will be presenting their work as part of our Design, Technology and Management Expo.
We would also like to present student’s work digitally, to give greater opportunities for respondents and attendees to view student work. A link to work will be due January 10, 2024. Exhibit registrants will be emailed instructions for providing the link.
For project websites, Region 2 of KCACTF provides these recommendations:
- Use an easy and free website builder such as Google Sites to create a simple website that can display and contain materials necessary to exhibit the design or technology work.
- All submissions should include: Student’s name, student’s discipline/design title, event/play/piece title with playwright’s name, and other designers/collaborators clearly labeled; A design statement somewhere in your materials; Do not include the name of your school on any of your school on your website or Expo display.
- Clearer simpler website options are preferred.
- The site should only contain the student’s submitted project. Do not include any previous work.
Design Categories
- Costume Designers
- Lighting Designers
- Projection Designers
- Scene Designers
- Sound Designers
- Allied Design & Technology Category
May include examples of some process work such as preliminary sketches, or paperwork along with sketches (swatches) and realized work should include production photo(s).
May include a plot, associated paperwork and the process you used to arrive at your design choices. Realized work should include production photo(s).
May include examples of some process work such as preliminary sketches and renderings, clearly identifiable links to webpages, a laptop or table to display video files or projection cues, and the process you used to arrive at your design choices. Realized work should include production photo(s).
May include examples of some process work such as preliminary sketches, ground plans, or final renderings and/or models. Realized work should include production photo(s).
May include clearly identifiable links or digital files with selected cues plus organizational/paper work such as sound plot and sound system design. Please include your process for arriving at your design choices. Realized work should include production photo(s).
- Production & Shop Managers may include work that gives a thorough presentation of the scope and complexity of the project.
- Technical Directors, Master Electricians, and Sound Engineers may include examples of drafting and associated paperwork.
- Costume Technologists, Craft Artisans, and Hair and Makeup Artisans may include photos of the project worn by a model, or on a dress form, or wig stand and detailed process photos of the interior and exterior of each project.
- Prop Artisans and Scenic Artists may include detailed process photos of each project.
- The project samples should reflect the range of technical challenges that you can solve and provide details on the process and the finished quality of the project. Realized work should include production photo(s).
Festival Basics
Students are responsible for their own festival registrations, DTM registration, and other forms.
Response sessions are planned at various intervals throughout the festival week. It is expected that you present your work at the assigned time and receive a response.
When arriving at Festival in January, check in at the Design/Tech/Management table to receive your assigned exhibit space.
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 manned during the day exhibitors are responsible for the safeguarding of their own equipment. Region II is not responsible for damaged, lost or stolen displays.
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.
Response Process
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. This is followed by a short question and answer period by a panel of respondents.
Presentations will be timed to assure equal time is given to each presenter.
Allied Design and Technology entries receive approximately 24 sq. feet of pin up space and at least 3 sq. feet of table space.
Stage Management entries have table space only, approximately 3 sq. feet. Pin-up space is not permitted. All other entries will receive approximately 24 sq. ft. of pin-up space and at least 3 sq. ft. of table space
Note: Pin-up space may be in the form of a single panel, V-Shape, or may be in an L-shape.
It is advised that you NOT mount the pieces of your presentation together on large boards as the shape of the displays may vary.
Please refer to the National Guidelines at www.kcactf.org for additional information. Review the approach statements given as examples on the national site.