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Performing Arts

 

2008 Fire Prevention Plays

 

The Philadelphia Fire Department and the Philadelphia Recreation Department have conducted the Annual Fire Prevention Drama Contest for over 45 years. The contest consists of children from Recreation Facilities throughout the city performing in one-act plays that tell of the values of a year-round awareness of fire prevention and fire safety. The Fire Department's theme for 2008 is Freedom From Fire: A New Day, A New Way. Fire Prevention Play

 

The Finals are scheduled to be held at St Joe's Auditorium, 56th & City Ave on Wednesday, August 13, 2008.

 

The event will start at 9:00 a.m. and continue until about noon. Parents and friends are invited to attend the Finals. Several independent qualified judges will judge the Finals.

 

RULES

  1. The participants must be 13 years of age and under.

  2. There is no restriction to the number of participants, (but keep in mind that the stage area is limited).

  3. No actual fires may be used. All fires must be simulated! No flashpots or other combustibles are permitted.

  4. All scripts must be original and developed by this year's participants.

  5. Reusing previous years' costumes and/or special props, without making significant design changes, could result in deduction of points in the design category.

  6. Each play must be longer than five minutes, but not longer than ten minutes. If a play is under five minutes, ten points will be deducted from their cumulative total. If a play is over eleven minutes, ten points will be deducted from the cumulative total. Twenty points will be deducted if a play is over eleven minutes and so on.

  7. All groups are responsible for their props, set-up and breakdown of sets. Each group will be given one minute for set-up and one minute for breakdown. If a group goes over their one-minute allotment for set-up or breakdown, the additional time will be added to the time of their presentation, which could result in points being deducted from their final score.

  8. The best representative play from each recreation district should be selected to perform at the citywide level. In the event that all districts are not represented, the second place winners of the district festivals will be allowed into the finals. A waiting list will be prepared.

  9. Please notify citywide Fire Prevention Chairman, Herb Moskovitz, at 215-685-8714,  and he will notify eligible entrants. The following criteria should be followed by the District level judges: Fire Prevention Message, Originality, Continuity of Performances and Characterization.

  10. The decision of the judges is final.

AWARDS

  1. A plaque will be presented to the Recreation District with the greatest number of facilities participating in their District Festival.

  2. Each participant in the finals will receive a Certificate of Merit.

  3. A plaque will be given to the cast of the Fire Prevention Play that exhibits the best teamwork.

  4. Certificates of Merit will be presented to the winning Recreation Facility for (1) Best Costuming and (2) Best Set Design/Special Effects.

  5. A trophy will be given to the Most Outstanding Actor and the Most Outstanding Actress.

  6. A Certificate of Merit will be given for the Best Fire Prevention Message.

  7. Awards will be given to one Honorable Mention, the Second Runner-up, the First runner-up and the Most Outstanding Play.

View a Fire Prevention Checklist