FOR

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

RULES AND GUIDELINES

1
 DRAMA COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS
RULES AND GUIDELINES

1.0 Introduction

The Drama Competition serves as a platform for students and teachers to

promote and demonstrate creative ideas in their work. Drama motivates students
to use English and therefore improves their command of the language.

It is hoped that drama can also instill values amongst students to be more
sensitive and appreciative towards local arts.

2.0 Objectives

2.1 To support the nation’s efforts to encourage the use of the English
language amongst students.

2.2 To encourage students to appreciate drama as it promotes integration and

inculcates moral values.

2.3 To provide the opportunity for students and teachers to show their talents
and creativity in the art of dramatisation; the usage of English which
incorporates script writing, directing, stage management and other
technical aspects.

3.0 Competition Rules

3.1 This competition is open to all students

3.1.1 with a maximum of 3 from Form 6 (optional)

3.1.2 from government-aided schools under the purview of the Ministry of

Education.

3.2 Each team comprises a maximum of 15 participants (including the

technical crew: stage manager, technical coordinator, set and prop
assistant, prompter) and two teachers-in-charge.

3.2.1 It is encouraged that the majority of the team members act and
speak. This will work in favour of the team.

3.2.2 Performance should be confined to the stage only.

3.3 All team members must be from the same school.

2
 3.4 The duration of performance is limited to 20 minutes.

3.5 The selection of theme is open but should not touch on sensitive issues
for instance, race, religion, stereotyping, politics etc.

3.6 Participating teams are encouraged to produce their own scripts. Scripts
or translated scripts of established plays must be adapted and cited.

3.7 Drama scripts must include synopses and cast lists and be typed using
Font 12 Times New Roman on A4 paper. Scripts should be sent to the
Organising Committee two weeks before the competition proper.

3.9 Judging is based on these criteria:-

3.9.1 Creativity of Drama 35 %

3.9.2 Language 30 %

3.9.3 Overall Coordination & Performance 25 %

3.9.4 Positive Values / Message(s) 10 %

Total 100%

3.10 Teams which do not abide by the rules will be penalized.

4.0 Guidelines

4.1 Language

4.1.1 It is compulsory to use English language throughout the drama

performance. Nevertheless, limited use of certain local Malaysian
registers is allowed.

4.1.2 Use of vulgar words and gestures and gruesome scenes are strictly
prohibited.

4.1.3 Scripts must not touch on sensitive issues for instance, race,
religion, politics, etc.

4.2 Theme

4.2.1 Themes reflecting positive messages and values should be

predominant in the drama.

3
4.3 Costumes

4.3.1 Participants should wear appropriate costumes in line with the

characters they portray.

4.4 Set and Props

4.4.1 The use of sets and props should be minimised. The management
and use of all equipment is the direct responsibility of each
participating team.

4.4.2 Sets and props should not hinder the movement of the team
members on stage.

4.4.3 Use of sharp objects (for instance knives, keris, etc.), fire,
inflammable and dangerous chemical substances is strictly
prohibited.

4.4.4 Each team is responsible for the setting up (5 minutes) and clearing
of sets and props (5 minutes). Only the 15 participants are allowed
on or behind the stage throughout the drama.

4.4.5 Safety of sets and props should be ensured at all times.

4.4.6 Drawing of curtains is not allowed between scenes.

4.5 Music

4.5.1 Each team should have technical assistant(s) from the team
members to coordinate music and recordings.

4.6 Lighting and Additional Equipment for Special Effects

4.6.1 Participants may bring their own additional equipment. However,

the equipment used must be suitable on stage and should not
disrupt the flow of the drama presentation.

4.6.2 Each team is responsible for managing lighting and special effects.

4.7 Demeanour

4.7.1 Participants should not portray indecent actions or excessive

movements that are provocative.

4.7.2 The presentation should take into account the comfort and safety of
the audience and actors.

4
4.8 Duration of Time

4.8.1 Time allocated for each presentation is 20 minutes. The timing of

the presentation starts with the first movement, first word uttered by
the actor(s) or any sound effects. Marks will be deducted thereafter.

4.8.2 Each team is responsible for the setting up (5 minutes) and clearing
of sets and props (5 minutes).

4.9 Adjudication

4.9.1 There will be a panel of at least five judges at the state and national
levels.

4.9.1.1 The judges for the national level will be appointed by

the Co- Curricular and Arts Division, Ministry of
Education.

4.9.2 Penalty: A total of 5 marks will be deducted if:

4.9.2.1 sensitive issues are touched

4.9.2.2 performance is below or above stipulated time

4.9.2.3 stipulated exclusions under competition guidelines are

infringed

4.9.2.4 use of vulgar words and gestures as well as gruesome

scenes are present.

4.9.3 Points will be awarded according to the score sheet.

4.9.4 The team with the majority of votes will be declared the winner.

4.9.5 Individual team marks will not be disclosed.

4.9.6 The decision of the judges is final.

4.9.7 Leaflets are not to be distributed to the judges.

4.9 Prizes

Prizes are awarded as follows:-

4.10.1 Champion

4.10.2 Second Prize winner

5
 4.10.3 Third Prize winner

4.10.4 Two Consolation Prize winners

4.10.5 Best Performer

4.10.6 Plaques and certificates of achievement will be awarded to the

winning teams. Certificates of participation will be awarded to all
participating teams.

Note:

 The winning teams from the previous year may participate in the current year but
the text and performance must not be an exact replica.

 This concept paper is valid until further notification or revision from the Ministry of
Education and can be used at all levels for competitions organized by the
Ministry.

Co-curricular and Arts Division

Ministry of Education, Malaysia

6
 FOR
SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ADJUDICATION FORMS

7
 DRAMA COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

SCOPE OF ADJUDICATION: A GUIDE

CREATIVITY OF DRAMA LANGUAGE OVERALL POSITIVE

COORDINATION & VALUES /
PERFORMANCE MESSAGE

 “Freshness” or uniqueness  Dialogues  Emphasise interplay  Well

of the content  Overall & cooperation projected
 New / unusual / different pronunciation /  Team members
perspective comprehensible work well together
 Storyline  Words properly  Many characters
 Development projected have significant
 Plot  Voice consistent roles in the play
 Coordination: scenes & with the  Enjoyable
timing character performance &
 (Music and theme)  Lines & cues pleasing to the
 (Music and scenes) memorised well audience
 Dialogues  Language spread  Choreography
 Costumes  Music effect
 Suitable props

8
 TIME SHEET

DRAMA COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR ___________

Setting up of Clearing of
Stage Performance
Team No. Sets & Props Sets & Props
(20 minutes)
(5 minutes) (5 minutes)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

Timekeeper's
Name
Signature

Date

9
 DRAMA COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS
NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR _______

OVERALL POSITIVE PENALTY

CREATIVITY OF LANGUAGE COORDINATION VALUES / (max.
DRAMA AND MESSAGE 5 marks)
PERFORMANCE
(35 marks) (30 marks) (25 marks) (10 marks) Sensitive
issues
touched,
Creative / Words clearly Flow of Drama Positive below or
Innovative ideas articulated; between Cast, Values above
stipulated P
in performance comprehensible Delivery; Interplay emphasised / T T
(20 marks) (30 marks) and cooperation projected time, L
stipulated I O A
T emphasised; (10 marks)
exclusions M T C
E within the
under E A I
A Storyline & allocated time
competition L N
M development of (20 marks)
ideas, dramatic guidelines G
structure in plot infringed,
(10 marks) use of
vulgar
words and
Props Effective gestures
(5 marks) utilisation of and
space gruesome
(5 marks) scenes

10
 DRAMA COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS
NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR _______

OVERALL POSITIVE
CREATIVITY OF LANGUAGE COORDINATION VALUES / PENALTY
DRAMA AND MESSAGE (max.
PERFORMANCE 5 marks)
(35 marks) (30 marks) (25 marks) (10 marks)
Sensitive
issues
Creative / Words clearly Flow of Drama Positive touched,
Innovative ideas articulated; between Cast, Values below or
in presentation comprehensible Delivery; Interplay emphasised / above P
(20 marks) (30 marks) and cooperation projected stipulated T T L
emphasised; (10 marks) time, I O A
T
within the stipulated M T C
E
Storyline & allocated time exclusions E A I
A
development of (20 marks) under L N
M
ideas, dramatic competition G
structure in plot guidelines
(10 marks) infringed,
use of
vulgar
Props Effective words and
(5 marks) utilisation of gestures
space and
(5 marks) gruesome
scenes

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Judge’s Name: ______________________

Signature: ______________________ Date: ________________
11
 FREQUENCY COUNT

DRAMA COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR _______

JUDGE

PLACING TIME 1 2 3 4 5
RESULT
TEAM NUMBER

Position Name Signature

Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
Judge 4
Judge 5
Date

12
 FREQUENCY COUNT

DRAMA COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR ________________

BEST PERFORMER

Team No. Role in Play and Name Overall Best Performer

Position Name Signature

Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
Judge 4
Judge 5
Date

13
 FOR
SECONDARY SCHOOLS

RESULTS

14
 RESULT

DRAMA COMPETITION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR _________

PLACING TEAM NUMBER STATE / SCHOOL

CHAMPION

SECOND

THIRD

FIRST CONSOLATION

SECOND CONSOLATION

BEST PERFORMER

Position Name Signature

Chief Judge
Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
Judge 4
Date

15