The Suzi Bass Awards

Celebrating Atlanta’s Professional Theatres

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do to help the Suzi Awards?

 

Donate:

Our biggest issues are financial, at the moment.  The cost of producing the events and purchasing the awards are around $20,000 a year.  In addition, we need to rent an office space and hire at least one staff person to take care of the day-to-day administrative tasks, fundraising and planning.  At the moment The Suzi Bass Awards is run by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, and a volunteer judging coordinator.

 

Donations will help us reimburse non-contribution expenses already incurred, implement our government, corporate and foundation fundraising plans, and move into the next phase of our growth.

 

Become a Member:

Membership does create a small amount of revenue, but more importantly, it shows community support for the mission of The Suzi Bass Awards.  We’ll point to the number of Members when we seek funding from other entities.

 

Membership is a bit unusual in the non-profit world, and works like a stockholder in the corporate sector.  Our members “own” the Suzi Bass Awards, and contribute at the annual Members’ Meeting by electing the Board of Directors and voting on the policies of the corporation.  If you want to have a say in how the Suzi Awards promotes Atlanta theatre, becoming a member is the most effective way.

 

In addition to corporation voting privileges, Membership perks include instant notice of Suzi Eligible shows, special events and invitations, and soon-to-be-announced discounts around Atlanta.

Do you need volunteers?

 

YOU BET!  If you live around Atlanta and would like to help make the awards happen by donating time or services, we would love to hear from you.  Just email SuziAwards@comcast.net.

How do I request Suzi Judges for my show?

 

Just send an email to SuziAwards@comcast.net requesting a Guidelines Packet.  If your theatre meets the eligibility criteria, fill out the Consideration form and submit it 30 days prior to the opening performance.  The Suzi Awards will contact you about scheduling judges.  That’s all there is to it!

What’s the formula for getting a Suzi Eligible designation?

 

All 5 Recommending judges vote for the same element

 

OR

 

Four (4) judges cast votes

    and

         there are 3 votes for one element plus 2 votes for a  

         second single element

     or

         a show receives 16 or more votes for any combination of  

         elements. 

 

The requirements are slightly lower for a show with only one or two cast members, since each actor’s performance counts as a separate element.

If a show isn’t designated as Suzi Eligible, does that mean the judges didn’t like it?

 

Not at all. 

 

The judges see over 50 shows a season, and the designation helps the panel focus its energies on shows with elements that have a higher probability of making it into Nomination at the end of the season. 

 

The Suzi Awards Judge Panels are looking for Outstanding design, direction, and performances.  There are enjoyable, thought-provoking and high-quality shows that don’t receive a designation.  The lack of a designation certainly should not keep anyone from seeing a show. 

 

Our designation also ensures that theatre companies are not incurring the cost of  over 25 complimentary tickets for shows not likely to make it into Nomination in at least one of twenty categories. 

How do I apply to become a Suzi Panel Judge?

 

Between June 1 and August 15 we accept judge applications.  Just send an email to SuziAwards@comcast.net requesting one, then fill it out and return it to us.  The Judging Committee of the Board of Directors reviews all applications and chooses the panel for the coming year.

 

Potential judges should have:

   1) extensive experience with the professional theatre, either as a career 

       theatre artist, administrator, or a long-time audience member

   2) a degree or extensive study in theatre or related disciplines

   3) a current position as an educator in theatre arts

   4) some combination of the above

 

Those chosen to serve on a Judging Panel commit to seeing all shows in their panel (Play or Musical) that are designated as Suzi Recommended.  Judges serve a maximum of three years on a panel.

What are the eligibility criteria for producers?

 

The main criteria for submitting shows are:

  - a minimum of 12 performances, excluding previews

  - a minimum average pay of $100 per week of rehearsal and performance for      

        actors and stage managers (payable in any number of installments, either

        on 1099 or W-2)

  - the Suzi Awards currently does not consider educational theatre, family  

       theatre, puppetry, improv or non-scripted shows, performance art, opera or

       dance.

Why don’t you consider Family, Youth or Children’s Theatre?

 

We hope to add a panel for these shows in the near future.  Since we are a new organization, we wanted to take it slowly to ensure the organization’s continued existence.  Plays and Musicals for adult audiences seemed to be the most logical starting point.

 

Also, a judging panel should include at least some of the intended audience.  It is logical to create a judging panel for Youth and Children’s theatre as a part of our education and outreach programs.  Plans for developing those programs are in the works.

No puppetry?  Why not?

 

We’re currently working on a way to include puppetry, either within the same categories as plays and musicals, or with a couple of separate categories in design and performance.

 

Puppetry is a complicated combination of performance and technical proficiency, and a very specialized form of theatre.  To include it without proper judge education or consideration of its unique characteristics would be a disservice to the fine puppetry artists in Atlanta.

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