| State | Time Limits | Adjudication Practices |
| CT | 1-hour total. 15-minute set up; 40-minute run; 5-minute strike; No technical rehearsals. The host school runs the lights. | 3 adjudicators; private adjudication with cast/crew and 2 reps from other schools; immediately after performance in another room. |
| ME | 5-minute setup, 35-40 minutes run, 5-minute strike; 55-minute technical rehearsal | No public critique; Rubric from principals’ association; After every block of shows adjudicators meet for 20 minutes with the school who presented and all directors. A Maine Principals Association rep tallies the score. |
| MA | 5-minute set up, 40-minute run, 5-minute strike; 1 hr. tech rehearsal | 2 judges at prelims and semifinals, 3 at finals. Consultant at each festival. Each judge types critique on a computer; Every director gets a copy of every show’s critiques. Shows are ranked after each show-not revealed to directors. Justification sheet is completed by judges at end. |
| NH | 5-minute set up, 40-minute run, 5-minute strike; 35-minute tech rehearsal minimum. | 2 adjudicators at regionals, 3 at finals. Consultant at each festival. After each performance, adjudicators talk to audience, 10 minutes total per show. Students meet in forums at end of each block while directors meet with adjudicators for 10-minute critique of each show. given only to that shows director. Adjudicators use order-of-preference charts to select shows to move on. |
| RI | 1 hour for everything, 1-hour tech rehearsal | 2 adjudicators at regionals, 3 at finals. Consultant at each festival. After each performance, adjudicators talk to audience, 10 minutes total per show. Adjudicators write critique sheets. Directors meet with adjudicators for a 10-minute critique of each show. Use of rubric that determines the top 5 schools, then select the top three. |
| VT | 1 hour for everything, 45-minute tech rehearsal | 3 adjudicators for states and directors also vote. Students have one big forum while directors meet with adjudicators for critique sessions. 19 votes are cast - 10 from directors, 9 from adjudicators. Awards: each school submits list of awards to the consultant for final awards. |