Guidelines for the Silicon Valley Small Theatre Awards

All guidelines, definitions and categories  are subject to revision at anytime upon discussion by active panel members. Awards for ALL categories not required should there not be a production the panel feels is truly worthy or enough that qualify.

Goals/Intents of the Process

To recognize standout productions from small (under 300 seat performance venues) theatre organizations in the Silicon Valley.

To represent and provide exposure for a variety of groups, over a geographically diverse area.

The panel for the last number of years has been anonymous to the public and must remain so to protect the integrity of the process. The panel members do not request comp tickets for the purpose of this panel. Panel members pay for their own tickets. The panel does not identify themselves as members of the panel at the time of attendance.

The initial list of shows that are generated as being eligible to be honored (several hundred each year) are gathered from the database of shows on Artsopolis.com/LIVESV.com which covers all of Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, and Southern Alameda County.

ALL PRODUCTIONS THAT ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA ARE AUTOMATICALLY NOMINATED:

Nominations:

• Organization must be housed within the Silicon Valley geographic area as defined by the cities LIVESV.com currently covers
• Production must have been performed within the Silicon Valley Geographic area that LIVESV.com covers
• Performances are from July of the previous year to beginning of July of the present year.
• Performance space must be 300 seats or less to qualify as small venue, sub 300 average attendance does NOT change eligibility.
• Productions may be nominated for more than one category
• No one show may win more than 2 categories
• No one organization may be recognized for more than 3 shows total
• No one organization can be selected twice in the same category

Panel Requirements:

• A member of the panel should not be affiliated with only a single organization that is nominated. (Though active with MANY groups is acceptable)
• A member should be able to provide first hand knowledge, not hearsay, on shows nominated
• No panel member may provide input on a show they were directly involved with

Category Definitions for Possible Recognition:

Standout Overall Productions – Productions in any category that excel beyond expectation in all aspects of the production. Solid technical design, casting, direction, script, and overall complete package productions.

Standout Musical Productions – Production exhibiting high musical standards from actors, orchestra, dance, and interpretation of the book. This can be an adult, youth and family, or multi-generational production.

Standout Classic Productions – Productions exhibiting high production value of straight play scripts written more than 50 years in the past. Attention to acting, authenticity and interpretation along with such things as accents, consistency of period representations from a technical standpoint are taken into consideration.

Standout Contemporary Adult Productions – Productions exhibiting high production value intended for adult audiences specifically, with musical or non-musical scripts written in the last 50 years. This can either comedy or dramatic in theme.

Standout Comedy Productions – Productions exhibiting high production value for non-musical or musical plays, classic or contemporary and whose primary vehicle of entertainment is the promise of laughter through comic timing, wit of dialogue, and chemistry of cast. Productions in this category can be from any era and can be an adult, Youth and Family or Multi-generational production.

Standout Drama Productions– Productions exhibiting high production value for non-musical plays or musicals, classic or contemporary and whose primary vehicle of entertainment is serious and cathartic in nature. Productions in this category can be from any era and can be an adult, Youth and Family or Multi-generational production.

Standout Family & Youth Productions – Productions exhibiting high production value performed by youth or performed FOR youth and are not only appropriate for families of all ages but specifically targeted for youth and family audiences.

Standout New Works Productions– Productions exhibiting high production value that are, West Coast Premieres, World Premieres, or staged readings of previously un-produced plays. These can be comic or dramatic, and can be adult, youth and family, or Multi-generational as well as musical or non-musical scripts.

Standout Free Production Companies– Companies that consistently present excellent high quality small theatre experiences for free to the Silicon Valley.

Standout Technical Design (Sound/Lights/Props etc.) – Production whose overall theatrical experience is enhanced through creative, detailed, time/theme specific, functional and/or aesthetic sound, props, costumes, set, and/or lighting design.

Local Actors and Actresses to watch for Next season – A volunteered number of male and female actors BASED in the Silicon Valley, as recommended by the panel, whose excellent efforts in the last season make them stand out.