Download Information Packet for 2015-2016

Information Packet
for 2015-2016
CONTENTS
Program Fact Sheet ……………………………………………..….…………...……2
Important Dates …………………………………………………....…………………3
Guidelines ……………………………………………………...…...…………...…4-7
Award Categories and Criteria.…………………………………….…………...…8-11
Special Honor Awards…………………………………………………...………12-13
When returning your application, please submit only the application
form, and keep this information packet for your future reference.
1
Program Fact Sheet
What:
Why:
When:
Where:
How:
An education outreach program called The 5th Avenue Awards: Honoring High
School Musical Theater
To honor outstanding achievement in high school musical theater and to celebrate
the hard work and dedication students and educators put forth to make their school
productions a success.
The Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday, June 6, 2016 at 7:00 PM.
PLEASE NOTE! The ceremony on June 6th is at McCaw Hall at Seattle
Center - 321 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109
Any Washington state high school may participate in The 5th Avenue Awards by
completing the attached application forms and returning them to The 5th Avenue
Theatre/Connie Corrick.
Schools with FALL PRODUCTIONS should contact Connie Corrick at
[email protected] immediately so that evaluators may be scheduled.
Those applications received by November 5, 2015 will be given a price break in
the application fee (see application, page 6). Early applications are greatly
appreciated as they help us to plan our evaluation season more effectively.
Applications received after November 5th are also welcome, and will continue to
be accepted right up until we can simply no longer fit them into the evaluators’
schedules.
Participating schools will have their musical evaluated by two or three evaluators
who are theater professionals from the greater Seattle area and Washington State.
These evaluators will then make recommendations for nominations in specific
categories for both on and back stage. A list of categories and criteria is included in
this document. After all productions have been evaluated, the evaluators will meet
to review the productions, discuss the nominations, and select award recipients.
Evaluators also write comments, which will be sent to the schools in the late summer
following the awards ceremony, by August 22, 2016.
The nominees and representatives from participating schools will be invited to attend
the Awards Ceremony, modeled on the Tony Awards©, to honor outstanding
achievement in high school musical theater throughout the state of Washington. The
ceremony will feature performances of production numbers from the nominated
musicals, performances from the leading actor and actress nominees, and an opening
production number with students representing each of the participating schools.
Tickets for the Award Ceremony will be sold through each school’s contact person
and if there are tickets remaining following school sales, to the general public.
Mail Application to:
The 5th Avenue Theatre/ The 5th Avenue Awards
1326 5th Avenue, Suite 735
Seattle WA 98101
OR Fax Application to (206) 292-9610
OR Scan and Email Application to [email protected]
Questions: Call Connie Corrick at (206) 260-2106 or send an email to [email protected].
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Important Dates
November 5, 2015 …..Early Entry Deadline for application forms to reach The 5th Avenue Theatre
(Applications submitted after November 5, 2015 are welcome, on a schedule available basis)
October 2015 – May 8, 2016 …………...………………..…Participating productions are evaluated
May 6, 2016 …………...………….…Educational Impact & Student Achievement nominations due
May 6, 2016 ………….......…………..…Special Honors for Outstanding Educator nominations due
May 6, 2016 ………………..……..……….………...…...…….Awards Ceremony tickets go on sale
May 6, 2016 ……………………….…......………Production Photos due at The 5th Avenue Theatre
May 8, 2016……………………….……….………….…..Final date for Evaluators to attend shows
.
May 14 – May 16, 2016 …….…….…..….…….…………….Evaluators meet to review productions
May 17, 2016 at 5PM...……….…..…....….…….………………….Award nominees are announced
May 20, 2016………………….………….………………………................………Ticket orders due
May 20, 2016…………………....……...Schools inform The 5th Avenue if they are bringing busses
June 4 & 5, 2016 2-6PM...….Optional Rehearsals for ceremony participants in All School Opening
June 6, 2016 (Times TBD)...….…...….……Ceremony Performer Rehearsals for Awards Ceremony
June 6, 2016 at 7PM…….…….THE 5TH AVENUE AWARDS CEREMONY AT McCAW HALL
August 22, 2016 …………….............Support materials and evaluator comments returned to schools
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Guidelines
APPLICATION
NOTE: Please be advised that evaluators attending your production are provided with a copy of
your school’s application prior to attending your production. Therefore, please answer all questions
as thoroughly and completely as possible. This is your opportunity to communicate with the
evaluators regarding the rationale behind a particular show choice, the vision of the directors, and
the special challenges faced in each unique school setting.
 Applications received by 5PM on November 5, 2015 will receive lowest fee pricing.
Applications received after November 5, 2015 will be accepted on a scheduling available basis.
 If your show will be double cast and you want both casts evaluated, you must indicate this
on the application form. Although we will make every effort to do so, accommodating
double casting added later in the season may not be possible.
 All participating productions must take place on or before May 8, 2016. To allow adequate
time for evaluating productions, announcing nominations, and producing the awards ceremony,
performances after May 8, 2016 may not be included in the awards program.
 Each school must furnish The 5th Avenue Theatre with accurate driving directions to the
performance location (directions from mapquest.com or Google are acceptable, but please
confirm their accuracy prior to sending) and from the parking area to the theater/auditorium.
EVALUATION
 Each production will be attended by two or three evaluators representing The 5th Avenue
Theatre. Schools will reserve two complimentary tickets per evaluator attending, so that the
evaluator and a guest may attend the production. Tickets will be requested by email at least one
week in advance of the performance by the Community Programs Coordinator.
 If, due to unforeseen circumstances, an evaluator fails to attend an assigned performance, The
5th Avenue Theatre will attempt to re-assign the evaluator to another performance. Schools that
feel that an evaluator has not picked up tickets or attended a performance should leave a
message for Connie Corrick at (206) 260-2106 (direct line) or (206) 625-1418 ext 206 or send
an email to [email protected]. Although we will make every attempt to reschedule, if
three evaluators were initially assigned and two attend, the program will have fulfilled its
mandate to send two or three evaluators to each production. The 5th Avenue makes every effort
to send a full complement of evaluators to each school.
 The 5th Avenue Theatre strongly recommends that teachers allow the evaluators to attend
performances anonymously so that they can fairly evaluate the production. Tickets should
be left at the box office under the name “Connie Corrick”. Roping off seats or placing signs
saying “The 5th Avenue Theatre” is strongly discouraged. When seating is reserved, please
make every effort to ensure evaluators an aisle seat if possible. We also recommend that
teachers do not inform their students when the evaluator is attending, so that the evaluators will
see a typical performance, and students will not feel added stress.
 As individual evaluator assignments are made, every attempt will be made to ensure nonpartiality on the part of the evaluators. Evaluators having a relationship, either professional
or personal, with individuals at a particular school will not be assigned to evaluate that
school’s production.
 Schools with double-cast productions should, if at all possible, request two sets of
evaluators.
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After the Awards Ceremony, a packet with evaluators’ written comments will be emailed to
each school on August 22, 2016.

The following promotional copy is provided for inclusion in your production’s program, with
the intention of lending an endorsement to your school’s production and participation in The 5th
Avenue Awards. However, inclusion is not mandatory, and the absence of the copy from your
program will not in any way prevent your production from being evaluated or nominated.
Suggested Ad Copy:
(Your School’s Name)
is proud to participate in
The 5th Avenue High School Awards
Sponsored by Wells Fargo
Honoring Outstanding Achievement in High School Musical Theater
NOMINATIONS
 The 5th Avenue Theatre will make its best effort to post the list of nominations on May 17,
2016 at 5PM. The nominations will also be posted on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/5thAvenueEdu, on the theater’s website at www.5thavenue.org, and
emailed to schools as quickly as possible after 5PM on May 17, 2016.
 Productions will be nominated in the category of Outstanding Overall Musical based on the
following criteria:
 Continuity and appropriateness in all production elements according to the
demands and specifications of the script.
 Balance between the physical production and the performance
 Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment from the cast and crew.
 Nominations for individual production elements
A list of all evaluation criteria is included in this packet on pages 8-11. The 5th Avenue
Theatre reserves the right at its discretion to nominate in special categories.
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PRODUCTION PHOTOS
We would like to include photos from every participating school in the awards ceremony. Please
forward The 5th Avenue Theatre 5-10 photos which you feel best represent your production lighting, sets, costumes, cast, rehearsals, etc.
We can accept these in many formats:
 E-mail to [email protected] by May 6, 2016
 Dropbox or Google Drive files
 Mail CDs or flash drives to The 5th Avenue Theatre to be received by May 6, 2016
Mail original photographs to arrive by May 6, 2016 (we can scan and return originals)
 NOTE: Schools whose shows are not open before May 6 will still be allowed to send
photos. Those schools will be given an extension of one week (May 13) to send photos.
THESE DO NOT NEED TO BE PROFESSIONAL SHOTS.
THE INCLUSION OF PHOTOS DOES NOT IN ANY WAY REFLECT NOMINATIONS. We
will try to represent all schools equally with your submitted photos, to enhance the awards
ceremony. Thank you for your help with this. Please let us know if we can be of any help in
collecting these materials.
AWARDS CEREMONY
 The Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday, June 6, 2016, at 7PM.
 Transportation to and from McCaw Hall at Seattle Center for the Awards Ceremony will
be the responsibility of each individual school. Schools using busses to transport
individuals to the ceremony must indicate this on their ticket order forms in
advance (by May 20, 2016) for loading/unloading directions/locations.
 Individuals recognized with awards will be invited on stage and permitted to make a 45
second acceptance speech. Schools are encouraged to allow students to give the
acceptance speeches, whenever possible.
 Schools nominated in the Outstanding Overall Musical category will be asked to present
one musical number from their production at the Awards Ceremony on June 6th.
1. Selection of the number will be made by The 5th Avenue Theatre, in
consultation with the presenting school.
2. Rehearsal onstage for Overall numbers will be scheduled for the day of the
ceremony by phone on May 18th. Connie Corrick will initiate these calls.
3. No scenic or lighting elements will be allowed for the performance, however
costumes and hand held props that can be transported to The 5th Avenue Theatre and
kept by the students at their seats during the ceremony will be permitted.
4. Except in very special circumstances determined in advance by the 5th Avenue staff,
no dressing room facilities are available.
5. Production numbers will be performed with the accompaniment of a small ensemble
provided by The 5th Avenue Theatre. Taped accompaniment is not permitted.
 Individuals nominated in the category of Leading Actor and Leading Actress will be
asked to perform in a medley arranged by The 5th Avenue Theatre at the Awards
Ceremony. A mandatory rehearsal for the medley will take place during the day
(usually between 8:30AM and 10:00AM) on June 6th, prior to the 7PM Awards
Ceremony.
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
Every participating school will be invited to have representatives in an ALL SCHOOL
OPENING NUMBER. The students in the all-school opening number will be required
to attend a daytime rehearsal on June 6, 2016 at 2PM and will also be invited to other
pre-rehearsals to be scheduled on June 4 and 5, 2016 from 2PM-6PM. Students will be
provided with the music to the production number ahead of time and are expected to
come with the music and lyrics fully memorized.
AWARD CEREMONY TICKETING
 Tickets for the ceremony will be sold directly to the teacher or a single school
representative assigned by the teacher at each school. Each teacher will be responsible
for coordinating and submitting the ticket order and distributing the tickets. Ticket
orders must be returned to The 5th Avenue by May 20, 2016 with payment.
 Tickets are $ 17.75 for students and $ 31.25 for adults. Because the ceremony is at
McCaw Hall at Seattle Center this year, there may be a per ticket facility fee in addition
to the ticket price. We are sorry, but there are no complimentary tickets to the Awards
Ceremony, including for participating performers. The revenue from ticket sales covers
the direct costs of the ceremony only, including stagehands, ushers, rent, utilities, etc.
Other costs of the program, including staff and travel costs, are covered by donations to
The 5th Avenue Theatre, offset very slightly by the application fee.
 Tickets will be allocated to participating schools based on the number of schools
participating in the awards program. Schools nominated in the category of Outstanding
Overall Musical will receive additional tickets allotted for purchase to accommodate all
performers.
 Seating at the Awards Ceremony is assigned and will be determined by The 5th Avenue
Theatre staff. Schools groups in attendance will not necessarily all be seated
together or all seated on the lower level.
COMMUNICATIONS
 Please note that a space for email address has been provided on the application form.
Every school must include an email address as most communication, including
arranging evaluator tickets, will be conducted via email. The email address will not
be shared with any other organization. If your school email server has stringent
screening/blocking programs in place, please provide an alternate, non-school
email address in addition to your work email address.
 As some materials will be mailed to the school, a complete mailing address for the
school is required, including the zip code.
 If the performances of your show will occur at an address other than the school, a
complete street address (including zip code) for the performance venue location
must also be included.
 Any questions about The 5th Avenue Awards program or the Awards Ceremony should
be directed to Connie Corrick at (206) 260-2106 or by email at [email protected].
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The 5th Avenue Awards
2015 - 2016
Award Categories
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Outstanding Overall Musical Production
Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role
Outstanding Male Actor in a Leading Role
Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Outstanding Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Featured Role
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Featured Role
Outstanding Performance by an Actor or Actress in a Non-Singing Role
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Group
Outstanding Performance by a Chorus
Outstanding Musical Direction
Outstanding Choreography
Outstanding Orchestra
Outstanding Direction
Outstanding Stage Crew
Outstanding Scenic Design
Outstanding Costume Design
Outstanding Lighting Design
Outstanding Hair & Make Up Design
Outstanding Lobby Display
Special Honors - Educational Impact (Teachers: Submit Nominations by May 6,
2016
 Special Honors - Student Achievement (Teachers: Submit Nominations by May
6, 2016. Please limit Student Achievement submissions to one per school)
 Special Honors – Outstanding Educator (Submit Nominations by May 6, 2016)
Special awards may be given at the discretion of The 5th Avenue Theatre for outstanding
achievement in areas that do not fall into any of the existing categories. Categories may be
omitted if The 5th Avenue Theatre does not feel there is reason to recognize in a given
category.
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HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS: EVALUATION CRITERIA
Many of you are interested in how the evaluators approach the categories which are nominated,
so we are including this information (below) from our evaluator guidelines, in the hopes
of answering any questions you might have.
PRODUCTION CATEGORIES
OVERALL PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
- Technical Elements:
o How the design of set, costumes and lights serves the show
o Smooth transitions between scenes
- Performance Elements:
o Story, plot and them transmitted effectively to the audience
o Musical score executed successfully
o Elements of student understanding and involvement heighten the overall
performance
DIRECTION
- Believability and clarity of story and plot
- Dialogue interpretation
- Dynamics between performers
- Performance level consistency
- Character consistency
- Physical pictures
- Effective use of space
- Effective use of performers
- Appropriate pacing
- Smooth transitions
MUSICAL DIRECTION (Vocal focus)
- Clarity and diction
- Animation and energy of performers
- Pitch and tonality
- Rhythm
- Vocal balance (i.e. chorus to principals)
- Overall balance (i.e. stage performers to orchestra)
- Consistency of musical elements
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CHOREOGRAPHY/MUSICAL NUMBER STAGING
- Appropriate for period and location of show
- Inventive and creative
- Use of effective patterns
- Use of space
- Variety of movement
- Execution
- Animation and energy
- Level of difficulty
- Visual consistency of choreographic elements
- Enhances the storytelling
ORCHESTRA (Instrumental focus) – eligible for nomination consideration if 60% students
- Balance with stage performers
- Balance between orchestra parts
- Pitch and tonality
- Elements of professionalism (i.e. dress, deportment, etiquette, etc)
- Rhythm
- Appropriate tempi
- Execution
DESIGN CATEGORIES
SCENIC DESIGN*
- Establishes and maintains mood
- Establishes and maintains time period
- Establishes and maintains location
- Ease of movement
- Size appropriate
- Well executed
LIGHTING DESIGN
- Establishes and maintains mood
- Establishes and maintains time period
- Establishes and maintains location
- Helps to focus the attention of the audience
- Well executed
COSTUME DESIGN*
- Establishes and maintains mood
- Establishes and maintains time period
- Establishes and maintains location
- Gives performers full range of motion
- Well-executed (fit, neatness, attention to detail, etc)
- Establishes and maintains character (income, age, temperament, state of mind, etc)
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HAIR & MAKE-UP DESIGN
- Establishes and maintains mood
- Establishes and maintains time period
- Establishes and maintains location
- Establishes and maintains character (income, age, temperament, state of mind, etc)
STAGE CREW
-
Invisibility/Stealth
Speed/Pace
Precision/Accuracy
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Effectively reflects the theme and plot of the show
Provides added, enlightening information on the production
Enhances the overall experience of attending the show
LOBBY DISPLAY
*Productions are eligible in these categories if no more than 25% is rented or borrowed, and
if rental/borrowed material is not from a previous production of the same show title.
PERFORMER CATEGORIES
Evaluators will give comments on all Leading Actors/Actresses and in other categories as they
deem appropriate. Performer categories include Leading Female Actor, Leading Male Actor,
Supporting Female Actor, Supporting Male Actor, Featured Ensemble Actor, Featured Ensemble
Actress, Non-Singing Actor/Actress, Ensemble Group, and Chorus. NOTE: The Actor or Actress in
a Non-Singing Role is only evaluated by non-singing criteria.
- Singing
o Pitch and tonality
o Rhythm
o Diction
o Phrasing and interpretation
o Expression and artistry
- Dancing & Movement
o Precision
o Animation and energy
o Execution of choreography/staging
o Expression and artistry
o Spatial awareness
- Acting
o Animation and energy
o Believability
o Dialogue interpretation
o Relationship to other performers
o Character consistency
o Elements of poise and ease on stage
o Stage presence
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All Student Achievements and Educational Impact Award recommendations must be received by
The 5th Avenue Theatre by 5PM on May 6, 2016.
SPECIAL HONOR - EDUCATIONAL IMPACT
In the effort to recognize the broad educational benefits derived from students participating in high
school musicals, we have created the Educational Impact Award. The selection of the school to
receive this award will be made by The 5th Avenue Theatre. This award is intended to recognize
students who use the production of the high school musical to supplement and augment curriculum
in other areas. For example: a school which uses a production of 1776 to further explore American
history in history class, or a high school business class who creates budgets for a production and
then controls these funds. We are specifically looking for ways schools are using the production of
musical theater as a way to increase learning and enhance the educational process. Educators are
limited to one submission per school for this award.
Teachers are asked to submit a one (1) page essay/letter outlining the educational impact your
production is having in your school or community. Support materials are highly recommended.
SPECIAL HONOR - STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
In the category of Student Achievement, teachers are invited to make recommendations for one
student who has given their time and talent in a backstage capacity (i.e. stage manager, stage crew,
dance captain, light board operator, costumes, assistant director, etc.) This award is designed to
honor a student who has achieved excellence in behind the scenes work, who may not otherwise be
recognized in their chosen category, or for whom no category exists. Educators are limited to one
submission per school for this award.
Teachers are asked to submit a one (1) page essay/letter outlining the student’s contributions to the
production. Support materials (i.e. set renderings, costume sketches, light plots, stage manager’s
book, etc.) are highly recommended.
Submit Recommendations to:
The 5th Avenue Theatre/ The 5th Avenue Awards
1326 5th Avenue, Suite 735
Seattle WA 98101
OR Fax to (206) 292-9610
OR Send as an Email to [email protected]
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All Outstanding Educator recommendations must be received by The 5th Avenue Theatre
by 5PM on May 6, 2016.
SPECIAL HONOR – OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR
On the occasion of our 10th anniversary, The 5th Avenue Theatre was happy to inaugurate a
Special Honor for Outstanding Educator. We at The 5th strive to celebrate, encourage and support
the work being done to create high school musical theater in Washington State. We recognize that
our educators are the driving force behind the amazing talent and productions being presented on
high school stages and we need your help to continue this new 5th Avenue Awards tradition,
honoring the work of our musical theater educators. Going above and beyond all expectations, our
teachers inspire their students, their schools and their communities. We ask you to help us discover
the 2015-2016 recipient, by submitting nominations for educators you know or with whom you’ve
worked and/or collaborated. We are looking for educators who motivate, encourage and challenge
their students and who go above and beyond to instill a passion for musical theater. Anyone may
submit a nomination by sending an essay describing the work and/or career of their nominee to the
address below. All nominations will be reviewed by an impartial panel of theater professionals.
Your letter of support essay should describe what sets this Educator apart, how they have impacted
the field of musical theater education for high school students, and should have examples of those
qualities and/or projects which inspired you to nominate. Please include the following with your
essay:
Nominee’s Name
High School of Association (current or former)
Position and/or Subjects Taught
Length of time nominee has held this position or been teaching
Contact information for the nominee
Your name
Your signature
Your association with the nominee
Submit Recommendation to:
The 5th Avenue Theatre/ The 5th Avenue Awards
1326 5th Avenue, Suite 735
Seattle WA 98101
OR Fax to (206) 292-9610
OR Send as an Email to [email protected].
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