APPLAUSE AWARDS 2014-2015 Participant Handbook
Table of Contents About the Applause Awards...3 Purpose...3 Goals...3 Program Contacts...4 About the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts...4 Participant Eligibility...4 School Location...4 Production Dates...4 Production Types...4 Registration...5 Fees...5 Production Information Packet...5 A Note on Double Casting...5 Publicity...5 Informed Liability and Media Release Forms...6 Adjudication...7 Adjudicator Qualifications...7 Production Attendance...7 Confidentiality...7 Evaluation Criteria...8 Awards Showcase...9 Applause Award Categories...9 Nominations...10 Award Notification...10 Applause Awards Showcase Performers and Rehearsal Schedule...10 Finale...11 Applause Awards T-Shirts...11 Tickets...11 Music...11 Additional Learning Opportunities...12 Broadway Education Package...12 Broadway Master Classes & Workshops...12 How to Participate...13 General Timeline...13 A Note on Time Commitment...13 2
About The Applause Awards The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Applause Awards celebrates the achievements of area high school teachers and students involved in musical theater. To participate, schools will register to have their musical theater production reviewed by a qualified team of adjudicators, who will provide directors with valuable feedback. During the spring of each review period, the Dr. Phillips Center will host an awards showcase to recognize the outstanding achievements of high school musical theater productions and students. Modeled after the Tony Awards, the showcase will feature outstanding performances from participating high schools. This event will demonstrate the enthusiasm, dedication, and talent of high school musical theater programs and encourage participating schools to grow and continue improving their programs. The Applause Awards provides participants with a number of learning opportunities throughout the year, including master classes led by touring Broadway artists, Broadway Speakers Bureau opportunities, student ticket packages for touring Broadway performances, awards for artistic excellence in performance and technical theater/design, feedback from industry professionals, classes, performance training workshops, and much more. To learn more about the Applause Awards visit drphillipscenter.org/applauseawards Purpose The Dr. Phillips Center s Applause Awards program is designed to celebrate, support, and advocate for high school musical theater education. The program celebrates high school musicals and students by formally recognizing the extraordinary achievements of our community s productions. The Dr. Phillips Center supports participating high schools by providing high quality learning, performing, and creative experiences for students. Goals 1. To recognize, honor, and encourage excellence in high school students musical theater performances through a constructive review process. 2. To provide educational workshops and advancement in dance, voice, acting, and stage craft for high school students. 3. To provide professional development and networking opportunities for students, directors and school programs. 4. To further develop audiences for the Dr. Phillips Center Fairwinds Broadway in Orlando season. 3
Program Contacts Dana Brazil Director of Education 407.839.0119 dana@drphillipscenter.org Crysta Harper Education Assistant 407.839.0119 crysta@drphillipscenter.org About Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts represents a defining moment in Central Florida s history. The Dr. Phillips Center will be located in downtown Orlando on a site that is more than nine acres in size. When the doors open in the fall of 2014, it will become a destination to a variety of mixed-use developments, transforming this area of downtown into a vibrant new hub for the arts, as well as commerce. The city center will now include a variety of culture, retail, hospitality and residential facilities. The venue itself will include two grand performance theaters, a community theater, outdoor plaza and performance space, rehearsal rooms, banquet space, administrative offices, and an educational facility. The performing arts center presents an epic opportunity to showcase Orlando to the rest of the world. Through this dynamic endeavor and state-of-the-art venue, a creative center will be established that captivates Florida s residents and tourists for years to come. Participant Eligibility The Applause Awards program is open to public and private high schools producing musical theater. To be eligible for participation for the 2014-2015 season a school should meet the following qualifications. School Location High schools should be located within a 55-mile radius of the Dr. Phillips Center, located at 155 E. Anderson St., Orlando, FL 32801. Production Dates High school musical theater productions should take place between September 15, 2014 and April 26, 2015. Production Types Musical theater productions should fall into one or more of the following categories: 1. A published musical, operetta or revue (either currently held by a licensing house or in the public domain) presented with the approval or permission of the original creators, publishers, or their representatives. 2. A new or unpublished musical, operetta or revue (featuring an original script, music, and lyrics) presented with the approval or permission from the original creators or their representatives. 3. An original musical theater compilation featuring excerpts or scenes from a variety of sources (either currently held by a licensing house or in the public domain) presented with the approval or permission of the original creators or their representatives. 4
Registration To register, please complete and return application form, including the registration fee, no later than Friday, October 31, 2014. Applications are available online at drphillipscenter.org/applauseawards. Fees A $100.00 registration fee per high school production is required to participate. Once you submit your registration form and payment, you will receive a confirmation email. This email will act as your receipt. If you need an invoice to process payments, please contact us and we can provide you one. Checks should be made payable to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Production Information Packet Within 2-3 weeks of registering, the Dr. Phillips Center education staff will email the production information packet to the primary contact teacher. This packet asks directors to provide cast lists and other information that will be shared with adjudicators. You will also have the opportunity to share supplementary information on your production, including the resources available to your school and theater department, director s notes, the rationale behind artistic choices, and specific areas on which you would like feedback. Production information packets should be emailed to dana@drphillipscenter.org or mailed to Dana Brazil at least three weeks prior to the opening night performance of your specified production. A Note on Double Casting If a school decides to double cast one or more roles, the school must select one set of cast members to be adjudicated. Please contact Dana Brazil with information on which performances the selected cast will be performing for the adjudication panel. It will not be possible to adjudicate multiple students for the same role. However, you can submit two applications and double the payment if you would like to have both casts adjudicated and considered for awards. Publicity All participating schools are asked to mention their involvement with the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Applause Awards in their show programs/playbills. This information serves as an endorsement of your school s participation in the program. The Dr. Phillips Center encourages high schools to announce their participation in the Applause Awards in school newspapers, school or department websites, social media sites, and newsletters that go home with students. The Dr. Phillips Center will post promotional information on each participating high school musical on our website. 5
Informed Liability & Media Release Forms This form, found at the end of this handbook, is required for all students to participate in the awards showcase, master classes, and other activities offered to students throughout the year. This form is available for download on our website and at the back of this handbook. If you plan on having students participate in master classes or any other Dr. Phillips Center activities, please distribute copies of the informed consent and photo release form to your students. The Dr. Phillips Center staff will contact teachers from registered high schools with specific due dates for the release forms, which can be faxed to 407.839.0116, Attn: Dana Brazil, emailed to dana@drphillipscenter.org, or mailed to: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Attn: Dana Brazil Director of Education Applause Awards 155 E. Anderson St. Orlando, FL 32801 6
Adjudication Adjudicators will be responsible for evaluating how well each high school musical theater production is meeting or exceeding its potential. Each production is evaluated against itself for consideration, rather than against all other school productions, encouraging schools to create the best possible work for their unique circumstances and environment. Adjudicator Qualifications The Dr. Phillips Center is selecting up to 30 performing arts professionals with backgrounds in music, theater, dance, design, and related fields to serve as adjudicators for the 2014-2015 Applause Awards. A list of these adjudicators will be available on our website drphillipscenter.org/applauseawards in August, at the start of the academic school year. Production Attendance The Dr. Phillips Center education staff will contact schools to confirm which performances adjudicators will attend. Once your adjudication dates are confirmed, plan on reserving up to three complimentary tickets per adjudicator under the name Dr. Phillips Center Adjudicator. Please note that the three adjudicators assigned to your production may or may not attend the same performance. Adjudications will consist of the following: Feedback Directors will receive detailed feedback on various elements of their high school musical theater productions. Dr. Phillips Center education staff will email adjudicator feedback to the primary contact teacher approximately 2-3 weeks after your production has been evaluated. Scoring In order to designate awards for artistic excellence, adjudicators will score high school musical theater productions on a variety of elements. Once the final high school musical theater production has been evaluated, adjudicators will meet in a roundtable setting to review the final scores and designate awards. Confidentiality Feedback and scoring will be submitted through a secure online form. Please note that at this time adjudicators will not provide oral critiques following the performance, nor should schools expect to receive scores. Adjudicators must not discuss their opinions, evaluations, scores, or feedback with anyone, in any format. This includes, but is not limited to, faculty, staff, and students from participating high schools, other adjudicators, colleagues, reviewers, social media networks, etc. Please do not contact adjudicators with questions all inquiries should be directed to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts education staff. 7
Evaluation Criteria Adjudicators will evaluate students and school productions on the execution of various performance and production elements including: Overall Production Overall quality of high school musical theater production Appropriateness of material for student performers Execution of all performance elements (acting, dancing, singing, technical/design, etc.) Flow/pacing of scenes and musical numbers Communication of story and over arching themes to audience Level of professionalism and teamwork demonstrated by cast and crew Acting Overall quality of acting Emotional believability (depth of character) Strength of vocal and physical choices Presence of active objectives (character working towards a goal) Relationship with other characters (listening/reacting to real or implied others) Commitment to role Voice Overall quality of singing Articulation and diction Projection and volume Breath support Pitch and tone Rhythm and pace Vocal range Variety (speaking/singing with expression) 8
Awards Showcase On Sunday, June 7, 2015 at 6:00 PM, the Dr. Phillips Center will present a Tony Awards inspired showcase, in the Walt Disney Theater, to honor schools and students for artistic excellence in musical theater. This event will be a tribute to the enthusiasm, dedication, and accomplishments of Central Florida s high school musical theater programs. Participants have the opportunity to win awards and perform on a touring Broadway stage as a part of that evening s program. Students, faculty, administrators, and staff from participating high schools are encouraged to attend the awards showcase. Applause Awards Categories Awards for high school musical theater productions and student performances are based on adjudication scores and recommendations. To be considered for these awards, a student/show/designer/director must be nominated by an adjudicator. Students will be notified of their nomination when the contact teachers receive the adjudication feedback. Winners will be chosen from the students that have been nominated and will be honored in each of the following award categories. Outstanding Musical Awarded to productions which display overall excellence in every category Outstanding Ensemble Awarded to ensembles that complement one another on stage, both singing and acting Outstanding Lead Performer Awarded to students who display excellent acting, dancing and singing abilities Outstanding Supporting Performer Awarded to students who display excellent acting and singing abilities Outstanding Dancer Awarded to students displaying excellent dancing technique and execution Outstanding Orchestra Awarded to productions with a top notch student orchestra Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Musical Direction, Outstanding Choreographer Awarded to the director/musical director/choreographer for overall excellence in vision and the execution of that vision Outstanding Technical Achievement, Outstanding Set Designer, Outstanding Lighting Designer, Outstanding Costume Designer, Outstanding Sound Designer Awarded to student and adult designers for overall excellence in their area of expertise Outstanding Stage Management Awarded to students for competently and smoothly calling cues for the performance, from the front of the house perspective Honorable Mention Awarded to students who stood out in their production for their singing, dancing and/or acting abilities only students with ensemble or small supporting roles are eligible for this award Continued on next page>> 9
Community Engagement Awarded to educators/producers who creates and implements activities or events that incorporate and engage their local community with the high school s musical production. Applause Award Scholarship Awarded to two graduating seniors who exhibit the highest level of excellence in their craft and embody the spirit of the Applause Awards. The final decision will be made by the team of adjudicators during the award decision process. (Please identify all seniors on cast lists that you will provide with your Production Information Packet). Nominations Throughout the year, reviewers nominate students, designers, and production for awards. The names of all the nominees are compiled and, after the last production is completed, adjudicators meet to choose winners. The Dr. Phillips Center awards more than one winner in most categories. Award Notification In May 2015, all adjudicators will meet to decide which of the nominated individuals and performances will be awarded the Applause Awards, as well as the Applause Awards Scholarship Award. Schools will be notified of award recipients on or before Monday, May 11, 2015. Applause Awards Showcase Performers and Rehearsal Schedule There may be multiple winners for each category and we will honor the winners by bringing them onstage throughout the ceremony. High schools invited to perform as part of the awards showcase will have 3-4 weeks to select and prepare numbers, solos, and/or medleys from their adjudicated productions. Performers will be required to attend a minimum of 1-2 rehearsals at the Dr. Phillips Center. If you win an Outstanding Musical Award, you are invited to perform a 5.5 minute medley number from your award winning production. Any student who wins an Outstanding Lead Performer Award will be invited to perform a 1.5 minute solo from the show from which you have been nominated and will also be invited to perform in the finale. Any student who wins an Outstanding Supporting Performer or an Outstanding Dancer Award will be invited to perform in the finale. Any student who wins an Honorable Mention Award is invited to perform in the finale. Rehearsals with the band (piano, bass and drums) will be scheduled on the evening of June 4 and June 5, 2015, and during the day on June 6 and 7, 2015. The performance will take place on Sunday, June 7, 2015, at 6:00 PM. 10
Finale Each Outstanding Lead, Supporting, Dance, and Honorable Mention winners are invited to perform in a musical number that will be showcased at the end of the awards ceremony. The students are required to learn the music on their own or with your help (we will send you the music for them). We will hold two rehearsals on Thursday, June 4, 2015, from 5:30 8:30 PM and Sunday, June 7, 2015, before the ceremony from 4:15 5:15 PM. Applause Awards T-Shirts All student winners (Outstanding Lead Performers, Outstanding Musical Performers, Outstanding Supporting Performers, Outstanding Dancers) who are performing in the Applause Awards Showcase will be given a t-shirt to keep and wear for the performance. There will be additional t-shirts available for sale in the lobby for anyone else who would like to purchase them. Tickets Tickets will be available for sale through our ticket office and online. The cost per ticket will be $15. A complimentary ticket is offered to each person who wins an Applause Award or an Honorable Mention. Complimentary tickets will be available for pick up at a table in the lobby the night of the ceremony (if you do not receive them at a rehearsal). Two complimentary tickets are available for the educator who organized their school s involvement with the Applause Awards. Music If your school is invited to perform as a part of the Applause Awards Showcase, you will be asked to submit the arranged music from your production. You will also need to submit music for any of your students who are Outstanding Lead Performer Award winners who will be performing. Directors should plan on retaining copies of music (specifically piano, percussion, and bass parts) just in case. 11
Additional Learning Opportunities All registered high schools have the opportunity to participate in a number of theater education activities throughout the year. Potential education activities for the 2014-2015 Season include: Master classes and workshops in musical theater, dance, vocal music, acting, and technical theater, led by Broadway touring artists Discounted engagement ticket packages to select Broadway touring performances when available Talkbacks with touring artists and performing arts professionals Lesson plans, study guides, and classroom activities for teachers Educational tours of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Broadway Education Package (Limited Availability) School Package Only Performance: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Cost: $60.00 per participant Date: Thursday, December 4, 2014 Time: 11:30 AM Arrival for pre-show engagement and lunch 2:00 PM Performance and talk back 5:00 PM Leave to return to schools Includes: Study guide, pre-show engagement class, boxed lunch, ticket to the matinee performance and a post-show talk back with cast and crew. (Does not include transportation) Broadway Master Classes and Workshops (Limited to 25 participants per class) All master classes and workshops will take place at the Dr. Phillips Center. Our education staff will notify participating high schools with more information about master classes and workshops after the 2014-2015 registration period has closed. This year s offerings will include (pending company approval): Cost: $25.00 per master class Audition Technique Master Class taught by Broadway cast members from the BOOK OF MORMON Wednesday, December 31, 2014 from 3:00 4:30 PM Dance Master Class taught by cast members from NEWSIES Wednesday, January 28, 2015 from 4:30 6:00 PM Stage Managers Workshop taught by stage managers of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL Wednesday, March 11, 2015 from 4:30 6:00 PM Vocal Master Class taught by cast members of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL Wednesday, March 11, 2015 from 4:30 6:00 PM Fosse Style Dance Master Class Taught by cast members from PIPPIN Wednesday, April 22, 2015 from 4:30 6:00 PM Cirque Style Master Class taught by cast members from PIPPIN Thursday, April 23, 2015 from 4:30 6:00 PM 12
How to Participate Parents will be able to register students directly for these master class opportunities at drphillipscenter.org/applauseawards. Identified master classes are open to all students regardless of their school s participation in the Applause Awards. General Timeline - Dates & Events Deadline to Register Friday, October 31, 2014 Adjudication Period Begins Monday, September 15, 2014 PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - Education Package Thursday, December 11, 2014 Audition Technique - BOOK OF MORMON Cast Wednesday, December 31, 2014 NEWSIES - Dance Master Class Wednesday, January 28, 2015 Applause Awards Ceremony Tickets go on Sale Monday, March 2, 2015 MOWTOWN THE MUSICAL - Stage Managers Workshop Wednesday, March 11, 2015 MOWTOWN THE MUSICAL - Dance Master Class Wednesday, March 11, 2014 PIPPIN - Fosse Style Dance Master Class Wednesday, April 22, 2015 PIPPIN - Cirque Style Dance Master Class Thursday, April 23, 2015 Adjudication Period Ends Sunday, April 26, 2015 Award Recipients Notified Monday, May 11, 2015 Finale Rehearsal Thursday, June 4, 2015 Outstanding Lead and Outstanding Musical Rehearsal Friday, June 5, 2015 Outstanding Lead and Outstanding Musical Rehearsal Saturday, June 6, 2015 Finale Rehearsal Sunday, June 7, 2015 Applause Awards Ceremony Sunday, June 7, 2015 at 6pm A Note on Time Commitment The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts knows that many hours of hard work go into preparing a high school musical theater production. One of the goals of the program is not to create additional work for directors/teachers, but to provide visibility for the work that is already being produced. During the school year, there is little additional time commitment from directors/teachers other than communicating pertinent information. 13
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Attn: Dana Brazil Director of Education 155 E. Anderson St. Orlando, FL 32801 email: dana@drphillipscenter.org phone: 407.839.0119 fax: 407.839.0116 LIABILITY & MEDIA RELEASE Medical Information & Food Allergies Please list any medical conditions that may affect your child s participation, as well as any food allergies: Assumption Of Risk And Release For Liability Knowing that participation in the program entails some risks, and in consideration of my child being permitted to participate in the program, I agree to release the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts from any and all costs, claims, injury or illness resulting from my child s participation in the program. I agree that neither the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, nor any of its employees, independent contractors, directors and/or officers will be held liable for any injury which may occur to me or my child while attending the workshop. This includes, but is not limited to, any activities in which I/he/she may participate including classes in singing, acting, dancing, physical comedy, stage craft, theatrical mask work, warm-up exercises and/or breaks. I grant the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts staff permission to contact emergency services and permit treatment should I/my child become injured and I am unable to provide direct authorization for services. I hereby release the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and their respective employees, independent contractors, directors and/or officers from any and all legal or financial claims. Media Release Participants are sometimes photographed and videotaped for use in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts promotional and educational materials. I authorize the Dr. Phillips Center to record the image and voice of the subject named below and gives the Dr. Phillips Center and all persons or entities acting pursuant to the Dr. Phillips Center s permission or authority, all rights to use of these recorded images and voice. I understand said images and/or voice will be used for educational, advertising and promotional purposes in all conventional and electronic media. I also authorize the use of any printed material in connection therewith. I understand and agree that these images and recordings may be duplicated, distributed with or without change, and/or altered in any form or manner without future or further compensation or liability, in perpetuity. Please Sign Print Participant s Name Signature of Parent or Guardian of Minor Participant Date