Critics' Choices

  1. After an Awards-eligible Cappies Show, following a post-show Discussion of not less than 10 minutes, the Discussion Mentor will assist Critics in selecting Critics' Choices for all Awards Categories for which the Show is eligible, and for which Critics may later vote.
  2. If any questions of Award eligibility arise, the Discussion Mentor, after consulting with any Lead Critics who are present at the Discussion, will interpret the Rules to resolve any such questions.
  3. Mentor decisions about Award eligibility will be final, except:
    1. Lead Critics are authorized to email the Program Director if any question exists about the correct application of Award eligibility Rules by the Discussion Mentor.
    2. In case of a clear misapplication of Award eligibility Rules, the Program Director may alter Critics' Choices in conformance with the Rules, after consulting with at least one Mentor and one Lead Critic who were present.
    3. Prior to Awards Voting, the Program Director will confirm the accuracy of the nonperforming Critics' Choices, and the name spellings of all Critics' Choices, with the Advisors of Performing Schools, and may edit Critics' Choices if any inaccuracies are discovered.
  4. There will be only one Critics' Choice per Category.
    1. In making a Critics' Choice, Critics will select the individual(s), or group, whom they would score the highest in that Category.
      1. There is no limit to the number of times any one individual can be named a Critics' Choice in any Cappies Show.
      2. Critics will not seek to name the maximum possible number of performers as Critics' Choices.
      3. There is no minimum score to become a Critics' Choice, and there need be no expectation that a Critics' Choice will later be voted a Nominee.
    2. For any nonperforming Category, or for the Ensemble Category, a Critics' Choice may encompass the work of as many as four named individuals, or a larger group of unnamed individuals who will be described as a group. (Example: Sam and up to three additional names; Sam and the crew; or, The crew.)
    3. Critics will decide Critics' Choices by consensus or vote, as required.
    4. For any Category for which there is disagreement among Critics, the Discussion Mentor will conduct a series of votes, culminating in a vote between two finalists, one of whom must receive a majority of votes.
      1. If the vote between the two finalists is a tie, the Discussion Mentor will repeat the vote.
      2. If the second vote is still a tie, the Discussion Mentor will break the tie, after consultation with the Editor Mentor.
    5. For any Category except Play, Musical, and Song (in a Musical), Critics may decide by consensus or vote to select no Critics' Choice.
      1. Critics may only do this if, under the Rules, no Candidate qualifies for this Category.
      2. Critics must select a Critics' Choice if any Candidate qualifies under the Rules, even if the Candidate selected is one they expect to score low.
    6. Following each Critic's Choice selection, the Discussion Mentor will read aloud the name of the person(s) or group selected, and will spell the name(s) of the person(s) or group.
  5. Regional Programs will determine when Critic's Choices will be officially announced for each Cappies Show. By default, C.I.S. makes Critic's Choices available immediately after the Editor Mentor has posted them. If a Regional Program wishes to not reveal Critics' Choices, this request must be made in the Regional Application at the beginning of each year.
    1. If an Advisor, Show Director, or Mentor becomes aware that Critics' Choices have been revealed prior to their posting in C.I.S., they must advise the Program Director immediately.
    2. Any Critic who reveals Critics' Choices prior to their posting in C.I.S. is subject to sanctions from the Steering Committee, including suspension or removal from the Roster.
    3. Show Directors should take the opportunity to check spelling and accuracy of Critics' Choices once they are posted in C.I.S. since these selections could potentially become Nominees.
  6. If a Mentor or Lead Critic believes that any Rule has not been correctly applied in the selection of any Critics' Choice, that Mentor or Lead Critic will email the Program Director, who will:
    1. Make a decision whether the Critics' Choice has been correctly decided, after consulting with Mentors, and Lead Critics, as appropriate.
    2. Upon a determination that a Rule has not been correctly applied, determine the correct Critics' Choice.
    3. Advise all Mentor and Critic attendees of the Cappies Show of any change in the Critics' Choice.
  7. If Critics' Choice data are missing, the Program Director will determine Critics' Choices by consulting with Mentors and Lead Critics present at that Show.
  8. The Program Director will enter Critics' Choices on C.I.S., thereby placing them on the Awards Ballot.
  9. The Program Director will correct any clear errors in Critics' Choices, prior to Awards Voting, by confirming their accuracy with the Advisor of the Performing School.
  10. If, during Awards Voting, Critics' Choice errors are identified, and are confirmed by the Program Director in consultation with Proctors and Critics who are present, those errors will be corrected.
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