OPERATION: GAME CHANGER
Mission: "Ready, Set"
Texas has a proud tradition of producing talented theatre professionals for both stage and film. Many of these technicians and performers first encountered the thrill of theatre through the One Act Play competition (known as UIL OAP, or One Act) at their Middle or High School. Fine Art Departments, much like athletics departments, rely on these competitions to make a case for increased funding. Schools that win, get better funding. Better funding means better equipment, more options for students, and more support for educators.
Unfortunately, many theatre programs in the Houston area are chronically underfunded and are unable to afford a basic unit set for UIL One Act Play competitions. This puts these programs at a competitive disadvantage and subsequently lessens their chances for increased funding. Many of the educators we polled stated that access to a Basic Unit Set for students hoping to participate in UIL OAP would be a game changer.
We want to change the game for Houston area theatre students with Mission: "Ready, Set" which will serve as the pilot program for our Second Service programming under Operation: Game Changer.
We have a cadre of talented Veteran artisans looking to give back to our community and motivate our next generation of artists.
Mission: "Ready, Set" will build and gift one unit set per school year to a school in need and provide valuable opportunities for Veterans to learn and practice carpentry skills.
Cost to buy a Regulation Unit Set: $4,700 - $6,500
Average Houston Theatre Dept Budget Based on Survey Respondents: $2,700
87% of respondents CANNOT afford to provide a Basic Unit Set for their students.
If you are a theatre educator, school admin, or former theatre educator,
please help us improve this program by filling out this short survey:
87% of polled departments CANNOT provide a Basic Unit Set for UIL OAP students.
Current UIL Set Requirements UIL APPROVED UNIT SET www.uil.utexas.edu Approved Unit Set Construction and Materials Every competing play company is allowed the use of one, and only one, complete Approved Unit Set, which must be constructed to conform to the basic structures drawn in the HANDBOOK. All unit set elements must be painted a medium gray inside and out. No other color is permissible. Substitutions of similar materials and alternative construction techniques are permissible so long as no additional weight factor or diminished strength is involved, and elements basically appear as other unit set elements might appear at other contest sites. UNIT SET ELEMENTS: 4 – Three-fold flat units, 8’-0” high 4 – Two-fold flat units, 8’-0” high 2 – 4’-0” wide step units (6” risers and 12” treads) 2 – 2’-0” wide step units (6” risers and 12” treads) 2 – 4’-0” high pylon units (1’-0” square) 2 – 6’-0” high pylon units (1’-0” square) 2 – 8’-0” high pylon units (1’-0” square) 2 – 4’ x 4’ ramps (rises to 1’-0”) 2 – 4’ x 4’ platforms, 1’-0” high 2 – 4’ x 8’ platforms, 1’-0” high 4 – 1’ x 1’ platforms, 1’-0” high
Educator Comments
Frankly this would change the game for my students. We do not have a full set on either campus and this would help provide them the best opportunity to learn and compete in our craft
J. H. / Winnsboro ISD
Those sets are so expensive. It's impossible to rehearse without one. The inequity between programs that have one and those that do not is startling.
J. C. / Austin ISD