The State Tournament schedule is now available for viewing. Please note that the deadline for special schedule requests has passed. If a special situation arises between now and the State Tournament, you may contact another team and exchange places, as long as that team is competing in the same Challenge and Level. However, both teams must notify cre8iowa by emailing cre8iowa@gmail.com. If your team withdraws, please notify us immediately, as this affects the schedule.
Go to our Competition Schedule page to download the State Tournament schedule, as well as to locate driving directions to Ames Middle School. The download link for the schedule is AFTER the map, so make sure you scroll past the map.
You may find the following Tournament reminders helpful:
- When you first arrive at the Tournament, visit the Registration table to check in your team. This is located in the Commons.
- Parking:
- Please note that buses should NOT park in front of the school. Those that have done so in the past get parked in until the end of the Tournament, and cannot get out until everyone else has left. Instead, park in the back of the school in the north lot.
- Challenge A (Assembly Required) teams can drop off their props by going to the East parking lot. Look for the doors with a large letter “A” on them.
- Do not park in the center turnaround. This is a Cy-Ride turnaround, and you will be towed away if you park here.
- Schedule:
- When you check your schedule, please note that there are 2 performance times: one for the Team Challenge, and one for Instant Challenge. Check-in is 20 minutes before any performance, so give yourself enough time to move from one location to the next.
- Challenge E (Hold It!) teams have a structure weigh-in time, for a total of 4 scheduled times: Structure Check-in, Team Challenge Check-in, Team Challenge and Instant Challenge.
- Prop Storage:
- We are asking Team Managers and Coordinators for their assistance in monitoring Prop Storage. Prop Storage is NOT supervised, so do not leave your valuables unattended. Many teams choose to leave their solution in a vehicle until it is time to perform.
- If you see something that shouldn’t be happening, please let the Prep Area Appraiser for that Challenge know, or talk to the Challenge Master (identified by a neon-colored safety vest).
- Challenge B: Since lighting is controlled for this Challenge, once the doors have closed for this performance, no one may enter or exit the performance venue. If you plan to watch this performance, make sure you arrive on time!
- Things to do during downtime:
- There will be a photo station somewhere in the Commons, so bring your camera and take a team photo.
- Your team is encouraged to watch other teams’ performances, since this is a great learning opportunity.
- Got a restless team? There are games that teams can borrow to keep them occupied. The Games Table is located in the Commons Area. Also, check out the state team packet for some more ideas.
- No dumping of any part of your solution is allowed. We appreciate being able to use the Ames Middle School facility, and want to insure that we are welcome in the future. Dumping of any part of your solution can be grounds for an Unsportsmanlike Conduct deduction, even after the Tournament is completed.
- Paperwork: Make sure your team shows up with the appropriate completed paperwork. This is turned in to the Prep Area Appraiser. Team Managers can complete paperwork for elementary teams as long as they write the exact words the team dictates. Middle and high schoolers should complete their own paperwork. It is important that these forms be legible! To insure legibility, take advantage of the fillable forms found in the Resource Area. If you run out of space, type on the back, or attach a second sheet. Keep in mind, however, that Appraisers do not have time to read a novel!
- All teams: Declaration of Independence (2 copies – one for the Prep Area Appraiser, and one for Instant Challenge Check-in)
- All teams except projectOUTREACH® (see below) – 5 copies of Tournament Data Form (each Appraiser gets a copy)
- projectOUTREACH® teams: 6 copies of marketing brochure and 6 copies of Tournament Data Form (each Appraiser gets a copy)
- All teams – Medical Information Form for each team member (kept by the Team Manager in case of an emergency)
- All teams except for Challenge D – Expense Report (make sure this is a photocopy, since it will not be returned to you). Also bring copies of receipts in case questions arise about Expense Report.
- All teams – 5 photocopies of Team Clarifications (if your team asked for any)
- Things to know:
- All teams are required to familiarize themselves with Published Clarifications. These clarifications supercede all other rules and can be published ANYTIME.
- Make sure you review the Tournament policies page. No weapons (real or facsimile) are allowed, and requests for the use of dry ice must be pre-approved by the Tournament Director. Students must be supervised by adults at all times.
- If you have not already scheduled a dress rehearsal, now is a great time to do so. Please remind audience members that it is Interference for them to provide any kind of constructive feedback. Have your team practice set-up, entering from the left, entering from the right, and having something go wrong (such as having scenery fall down, or a prop being forgotten at home). Remind teams that their solution must fit through a standard doorway.
- Now is a good time to have the team brainstorm a list of “what if” scenarios in case something goes wrong at the Tournament. Simultaneously, have the team brainstorm a list of items needed for an emergency repair kit.
- Remind parents and supporters that they may not help students put on makeup and costumes, and that it is the team’s responsibility to make any repairs to their solution. It is the team’s solution!
As always, feel free to contact Judy Nolan, judynolan@aol.com, with your questions.
