Programme and Poster Competition

NODA’s annual Programme and Poster Competition is a very popular competition for groups and highlights the promotion of amateur theatre in the UK. Its purpose is to encourage high standards in programme and poster design.

Each region holds their own competition, using the criteria set out below, with the winning entries then put forward to the national competition. Trophies for the winners and runners up of the national competition are currently then awarded at the NODA Annual General Meeting.

Criteria for judging 2024 programme and poster competition entries

Please note for the remainder of 2024 the new logo and introduction box can be used (and downloaded below), the 'Be inspired by amateur theatre' logo and NODA Introduction block can also be used but will no longer be availabe for download.

Criteria for judging 2025 - 2028 programme and poster competition entries

Please note that these criteria apply to entries for shows between 1st January and 31st December (1st July to 30th June in Scotland) in each of these years and come into effect 1st January 2025 (1st July 2024 for Scotland).

It is important to note that it is a condition of entry for all programmes and posters that:

• the new official NODA logo with the strapline ‘For every stage’ is included in programmes and on posters. Use of the old logo and the strapline ‘Be inspired by amateur theatre’ will result in disqualification.
• ‘An introduction to NODA’ is also to be included in programmes. Use of any other version of ‘An introduction to NODA’ will result in disqualification.

The name of the various classes of programme and posters are taken from the trophies which are awarded to that particular class of entry.

NODA has made available various colours of the logo to suit individual programme and poster designs. If a non-NODA colour is used, this will result in disqualification.

The ‘Introduction to NODA’ is supplied in various sizes and formats to suit different programme designs. If you decide to use just the NODA supplied text, this text must not be altered and any changes will result in disqualification.

The current versions of the logo and the ‘Introduction to NODA’ (to fit all styles of media) can be found below.

NOTE: the following exemptions will apply during the first year of the new criteria to allow for the transition to the new NODA branding given the lead time for programme & poster production.

Scotland – for shows up to 31 March 2025 entries will still be valid even if they use the old NODA branding.

England, Wales & Ireland - for shows up to 30 June 2025 entries will still be valid even if they use the old NODA branding.

To take part in the competition, 5 copies of your entry must be sent to your Regional Councillor, either direct or via your Regional Representative, to be received no later than 14th January following the end of the competition year. 

Contact details can be found on the NODA website: www.noda.org.uk or by contacting NODA head office by email: info@noda.org.uk or tel: 01733 374 790.