2024 DTM Expo Details

Greetings from KCACTF Region 1 DTM (Design, Technology and Management) Team!

We are thrilled you are interested in presenting at the 2024 KCACTF region 1 Design, Technology & Management Expo.

The  DTM Expo provides an opportunity for you to exhibit work and receive feedback from theatre professionals, designers and technicians. If you’ve signed up for a DTM presentation, it’s likely your project fits into one of the following areas:

  • Scenic Design

  • Lighting Design

  • Costume Design

  • Sound Design

  • Projection Design

  • Hair & Makeup Design

  • Production & Stage Management

  • Allied Crafts

    • Technical Direction

    • Properties & Crafts

    • Sound Engineering

    • Paint Charge Artist

    • Master Electrician

    • Puppeteering

Who Can Present

Presenting is open to all students nominated during a production response session or to those who would like to self-nominate.

What to present:

Un-Realized Work – the project that is done in the classroom and never was produced – i.e. never sent through the production process and subsequently shown to a live audience. This work is eligible to be recognized on both a regional and national level.

Realized, Produced Work – the project that was ‘brought to life’ and fully produced. This work is eligible to be recognized on both a regional and national level.

Note:  If you are presenting in more than one (1) field or area of study, you can indicate this on your submission and participation form (link coming soon).

Steps to make

Note: there are two options for presentation type, each with slightly different instructions…

Step 1 – Choose the option that works best for you:

Option 1: Table Presentation

  • Students prepare and present using physical materials they display in a communal hall with other students, for all Festival attendees to admire.

    • For Design and technology students, an approximately 3’x3’ table space or vertical wall will be available to display your board and selected materials.

    • For Stage Management students, this looks like a family-style table with space for your SM binder and paperwork.

Option 2: In-Person Digital Presentation

  • Students prepare and present a digitized design presentation that uses the Digital  Presentation Template. The presentation will be displayed on a screen in a communal hall with other students, for all Festival attendees to admire

  • All Digital Presentations must be electronically submitted by Monday, Jan 29th.
    (link coming…).

Step 2 – Prepare your materials (the orientation video is coming)

  • If you have not done so already, save and document your work! We want to see items from your process, execution, and any finalized work. Typical items we see on posters and in presentations include but are not limited to

  • Sketches, plans, and conceptual pieces

  • Costumes and costume crafts
    (loose or on a form)

  • Puppets, electronics, and motorized items

  • Models and drafting

  • Fabric swatches, paint elevations, and storyboards

  • Recordings, tracks, music, or something to listen to

  • Call scripts and show bibles

  • Paperwork, call board items, production rulebooks, and tracking sheets

  • Properties like weaponry, fake food, or custom-built items

  • Photography of the process, publicity, and archival shots

  • Design statements, stories, and descriptions

  • When selecting your materials, pick the items that tell the best story, without being too elaborate. Sometimes more is not better!

  • Your school or institution should NOT appear in any of your materials!

Step 3 – Prepare and submit a short summary video electronically no later than Friday, January 26th. (link to instruction regarding short summary video)

  • This is a 3-4 minute video introducing the respondents to your project, and covering the major points of your presentation.  The submission of this video beforehand will give the responders the opportunity to learn more about your project before you present, allowing more time for interaction during your presentation slot.

  • All students presenting at the Festival must submit their Summary Videos electronically by Friday, January 26th (link coming soon…).

Who Will Listen and Respond to Your Presentation?

The team of theatre professionals will be responding right after you present. They will reflect on what they hear from you and give some useful recommendations in a friendly manner. In the end, they will recommend candidates for the DTM awards.

At the Festival…

By Wednesday, January 31st, each student presenter will be provided with a specific presentation time and location. Presentation Load-In will be that same day over a four (4) hour period, which students can use at their leisure for set up. Assigned presentation times will be assigned to students during Load-In, and will occur on Thursday and Friday, Feb 1st and 2nd.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of DTM Leadership if you have any questions about the presentation process.

We look forward to seeing your work and meeting you at the Festival!