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Rules, forms, and guidance

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Forms and templates for the One Act Play Festival and its competitions

Updates to forms and guidelines, October 2023: 

Changes are minor, and mainly relate to branding, contact details and some document formatting. 
Some forms no longer used, have been removed.
Other points to note include responsibility for forwarding F1s of plays progressing beyond District Festivals (now lies with Directors), and the definition of Professional (no longer applies to Under 18s).  
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Key Details
Other Competition Entry
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Adjudicators
Checklists

Send all entries to your district secretary.

Downloadable documents and guidance

Filing in our Forms
Marking

Children and young people

Legislative requirements

All festivals organisers and clubs entering plays which involve children need to be familiar with this information and to comply fully with the outlined procedures.

The legislation applies to children under the school leaving age. We apply the same procedures to all young people, regardless of age.

School leaving age

In Scotland, children can leave school on 31 May if their 16th birthday falls between 1 March and 30 September of that year.

Those who turn 16 between 1 October and the last day of February can leave at the start of the Christmas holidays of that particular school year.

Young person

As defined by our youth festival entry rules, a young person is aged under 18.

We apply the same child protection procedures to all young people, including those older than school leaving age.

Body of Persons Approval (BoPA)

Body of Persons Approval (BoPA)

Body of Persons Approval for Scottish Community Drama Association – applies to Open and Youth One Act Play Festival from 12 February until 3 June 2026

Download BoPA151 KB

Procedures for festivals involving children

Child protection and PVG

All participating clubs must be aware of relevant legislation.

Legislation guides

Guidelines for chaperones

These guidelines must be implemented by teams at SCDA festivals.

Read guidelines

Risk assessment

Before appearing at the festival, clubs must complete this and provide a copy to the festival CPO.

Download template

Festival CPO checklist

All festival organisers must complete this and provide a copy to their district, festival and/or national secretary as appropriate.

Download checklist

Funding

Youth teams may be eligible for additional funding through the Acting Support for Kids (ASK) scheme.

ASK guidance

Procedures and assessment criteria for ASK applications.

Download guidance34 KB

ASK claim form

Apply to ASK for additional financial assistance.

Download claim form199 KB

Festival guidance

Online guidance for all aspects of the festival, from safety and expenses to directing and rehearsing. 

Creating a festival team info pack

What to include in your team's info pack.
Read guide

Stage directing at festivals

A checklist for stage directors at SCDA festivals.
Read guide

Expenses recommendations

Recommended standard expenses for Scottish festivals.
Read guide

Performing a technical rehearsal

Technical rehearsals are useful where time is limited.
Read guide

Stewarding at festivals

Roles and responsibilities of an Adjudicator Steward.
Read guide

Safety guidance for festivals

Nothing is more important than making sure everyone goes home safe from the theatre.
Read guide