OPERATION: GAME CHANGER
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.
We have a cadre of talented Veteran artisans looking to give back to our community and motivate our next generation of theatre artists.
We plan to build and donate at least one unit set per school year to a school in need.
Cost to buy a Regulation Unit Set: $4,700 - $6,500
Average Houston Theatre Dept Budget Based on Survey Respondents: $2,700
If you are a theatre educator, school admin, or former theatre educator,
please help us improve this program by filling out this short survey:
.png)
Other ways to support Operation: Game Changer
Here are the current UIL Set Requirements
UIL APPROVED UNIT SET
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
Ideas For Build:
Source Materials from local theatres during strikes, hardware stores, lumber yards, ReStore, and construction companies when they have scrap/overages. This reuses materials and keeps them out of the landfill.
Any lack in materials sourced from above would be purchased with funding from grants and donations.
Paint will always be purchased or donated new to ensure uniform color/quality
Location for build would either be donated space from local business or rented short term space to keep materials and set pieces clean, secure, and dry during construction.
Build time would be approximately 3 months (assuming weekends only) of volunteer time. This could be reduced with more volunteers/working days.
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