Judging Panels
What are the Suzi Judging Panels?
There are three Suzi Judging Panels. Recommending Judges, Play Panel Judges, and Musical Panel Judges.
The Recommending Judges Panel is comprised of experienced Suzi Bass Judges and representatives from the participating theatres. Five of those judges are randomly assigned to attend the opening night of eligible shows to determine if a show is Suzi Recommended and whether the Play or Musical Panel will attend. The Recommending Judges do not nominate or vote for The Suzi Bass Awards. The Play and Musical Panels attend Suzi Recommended shows after they are recommended by the Recommending Judges.
What does a Suzi Panel Judge do?
The Suzi Judge Panels commit to seeing each and every Suzi Eligible show on their panel for a period of one year. They also commit to timely communication with the Judging Coordinator. Judges schedule their own attendance with the participating theatre, receive a complimentary ticket, and take notes on the productions.Suzi Judges provide their own transportation to each show, and are not reimbursed for mileage or parking.
After they see the show, they report their attendance to the Judging Coordinator. A Panel Judge must see 80% or more of the Eligible shows in order to vote the nominating ballot. However, they may not vote categories on the final ballot if they haven’t seen 100% of the nominees.
At the end of the season, they vote the ballots, and receive a complimentary ticket to the Awards ceremony to see who wins!
Do the judges have to be theatre experts?
Since theatre is an art form, and all art is subjectively judged, we do rely on our judges’ experience to evaluate the shows they see. At the least, judges should have extensive experience as audience members, hopefully in various theatres or cities. We also welcome theatre professionals and educators to the panel. Of course, their job will be easier if they know a bit about what you’re seeing. We award in over twenty different categories, including design. We’ll do our best to provide some resources for categories where judges feel less prepared, but it’s best to sign up only for panels where they feel reasonably confident. For instance, musical panel judges should be able to judge singing, as well as have an opinion about choreography and musical direction.
How do I become a Panel Judge?
First, download the current Suzi Guidelines, Judge FAQ and Application documents at the bottom of this page. Look over the Guidelines to find out more about the process, and read the FAQ to make sure you are able to commit to the responsibilities of a Panel Judge. Then fill out the simple application and send it in by May 1 to be considered for the following year's panel. The Judging Committee meets in May, and the Board of Directors approves the panels in May or June. We accept applications year round, though.Current Suzi Judges List
2010-2011 Full Suzi Guidelines
Everything you need to know about the Suzi Awards process whether you are a Participating Theatre or Artist, an Atlanta Playwright, or want to be a Suzi Panel Judge.
Suzi Judge FAQ & Application
The most often asked questions by those considering applying as a Suzi Judge, and the easy two-page application in an editable Word 2003 format.
