Director Information
PROGRAM GUIDELINES
2026-2027 RULES AND GUIDELINESLEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Participating schools receive access to exclusive learning opportunities offered throughout the year that are designed to help both students and directors advance their understanding of the craft. Workshops and master classes addressing performance, technical and creative topics are led by theater professionals from the state of Iowa as well as by Broadway industry experts.
Learning Opportunities have been communicated with Participating Schools. If your school is interested in participating in our Learning Opportunities, please reach out to ihsmta@dmpa.org
CUSTOM ADJUDICATION DEADLINES BY PRODUCTION WEEKEND
Please review your production's custom deadlines and important dates by the weekend. You will receive email reminders about deadlines, but we encourage you to save these dates for future reference.
IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Fall Waitlist Schools Notified of Adjudication | Friday, September 25, 2026 |
| Notification of Double-Casting Due (Fall Productions) | Friday, October 2, 2026 |
| IHSMTA Adjudication Fee Payment Due | Friday, October 16, 2026 |
|
Community Engagement Application Due (Fall Productions)
*Optional |
Friday, November 20, 2026 |
|
Behind-the-Scenes Application Due - (Fall Productions)
*Optional |
Friday, November 20, 2026 |
|
Behind-the-Scenes Interviews (Fall Productions)
*Specific times will be communicated if students apply |
Wednesday, December 2 - Thursday, December 3, 2026 |
| Spring Waitlisted Schools Notified of Adjudication | Friday, January 22, 2027 |
|
Behind-the-Scenes Application Due (December - March Productions)
*Optional |
Friday, April 2, 2027 |
|
Community Engagement Due (December - March Productions)
*Optional |
Friday, April 2, 2027 |
|
Impact Award Submission (All Productions)
*Optional |
Friday, April 2, 2027 |
|
Behind-the-Scenes Interviews (December - March Productions)
*Specific times will be communicated if students apply |
Wednesday, April 7 - Thursday, April 8, 2027 |
|
Behind-the-Scenes Application Due (April Productions)
*Optional |
Friday, April 28, 2027 |
|
Behind-the-Scenes Interviews (April Productions)
*Specific times will be communicated if students apply |
Wednesday, May 5 - Thursday, May 6, 2027 |
|
IHSMTA Showcase Communication Day
*All schools will receive their adjudication scores and nominations document on this day |
Monday, May 10, 2027 |
QUICK ACCESS: ADJUDICATION RESOURCES & LINKS
GENERAL
GENERAL
- SHOW TITLE CHANGE FORM coming fall 2026.
- All spring productions that did not put their show title on the registration form must submit a show title change form by January 2027.
- IMPACT AWARD NOMINATION FORM - OPTIONAL
- Students are invited to nominate an adult who has had make a tremendous impact on their school's musical program for the Impact Award. Nominees may be staff or volunteers in a variety of roles associated with the musical. Please note: the nominating student cannot be related to the nominee.
Adjudicator feedback will be sent to school contacts via email within three weeks of a school's production closing, unless otherwise communicated.
PRE-PRODUCTION
Please review/submit the following items prior to your school musical opening.
PRE-PRODUCTION
Please review/submit the following items prior to your school musical opening.
- ADJUDICATION FORM - REQUIRED
Submit form online 2 weeks prior to opening night of production. - RECOGNITION OF PARTICIPATION GRAPHIC FOR PRODUCTION PROGRAM - REQUIRED
Insert into your musical program prior to printing.
- BEHIND-THE-SCENES AWARDS OVERVIEW FOR STUDENTS - OPTIONAL
Share with students so they can decide whether they would like to submit a portfolio and gather artifacts during tech/production.
POST-PRODUCTION
Please utilize the following items after your school musical closes.
POST-PRODUCTION
Please utilize the following items after your school musical closes.
- PRODUCTION PHOTO UPLOADER - REQUIRED
Upload digital production photographs within 2 weeks of your production closing.
- BEHIND-THE-SCENES AWARDS PORTFOLIO UPLOADER - OPTIONAL
Students who would like to be considered for a Behind-The-Scenes award will submit their portfolio here.
- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT APPLICATION - OPTIONAL
Schools who would like to be considered for a community engagement award will submit their application here.