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Governing Board

  1. "The Cappies, Inc." is a corporation registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which:
    1. Has been approved by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions under Section 501(c) (3) of the U.S. Code.
    2. Is governed by a Governing Board, with established bylaws, through which it has selected officers.
      1. These officers include a President, Vice-President and Treasurer, whom the Governing Board has authorized to supervise the Charter process.
      2. Any inquiries about "The Cappies, Inc.", the Governing Board, or Rules will be directed to the President, at admin@cappies.com.
  2. The Governing Board has:
    1. Approved these Rules.
    2. Authorized the establishment of Programs under the name "Cappies".
    3. Authorized the Governing Board to charter Programs that comply with these Rules.
  3. The Governing Board has authorized and will approve separate training materials for Advisors, Show Directors, Mentors, Lead Critics, Critics, and Boosters.
  4. By unanimous vote, the Governing Board may take any action, with regard to any Program, Participating School, Critics Team, Mentor, or Critic, that the Board determines to be in the best interest of the Cappies.

Charter

  1. To use the "Cappies" name for any show, event, award, or other purpose, a Program must have a Charter.
  2. To receive a Charter, and thereby establish a Program, an Applicant Group or Renewing Program must submit a Charter Application.
    1. A Charter will be for one Program Year, commencing on or after July 1, and ending on or before June 30.
    2. An Applicant Group or Renewing Program may apply for a Charter at any time after June 15 for the subsequent Program Year.
    3. An Applicant Group may apply for a Charter before December 15, for the current Program Year.
    4. The Charter Application will include:
      1. An On-Line Charter Application, submitted through the Cappies Information Services (C.I.S.), which an Applicant Group may access through the Web Site (www.cappies.com)
      2. A Written Charter Application.
        1. All required Forms for the Written Application may be downloaded and printed through the www.cappies.com Web Site.
        2. The Written Application, including payment of the Charter Fee, must be received by the National Treasurer, not later than September 1 of the Program Year, or 30 days after the On-Line Charter Application has been submitted, whichever is later.
  3. An On-Line Charter Application will include:
    1. A full program name.
    2. A three-letter alphabetic code for the program name (e.g., "NCA" for "National Capital Area").
    3. Program Year (the calendar year of the June 30 date following the school year of Program events).
    4. An Employer Information Number (E.I.N.).
    5. A region.
      1. Geographic Boundaries, which may be approximate, and/or a list of school or political districts.
      2. Time zone (Eastern, Central, Mountain, or Pacific)
      3. The estimated driving time between the most distant schools, which are recommended not to exceed:
        1. 75 minutes in normal traffic (for Programs with fewer than 25 Participating Schools).
        2. 120 minutes in normal traffic (for Programs with 25 or more Participating Schools, or for Participating Schools in any Program whose Cappies Shows take place during daytimes, or on Saturday evenings with final bows not later than 9:30 PM).
    6. Names, emails, work, home, and cell phones, and postal mailing addresses of each Member of a Steering Committee, of not less than four and not more than twelve Members, including:
      1. A Chair.
      2. A Program Director.
      3. A Treasurer.
      4. Other Members.
    7. Names of not less than four Participating Schools, along with a two-letter code for each school name.
    8. Schedule, including actual or approximate dates for:
      1. Initial School Application Deadline, which may be any date prior to the first Cappies Show.
      2. Lead Critic Training/Show Scheduling.
      3. New and Returning Critic Training.
      4. New and Returning Mentor Training.
      5. Initial Critic Training, following the Initial School Application Deadline.
      6. Midyear School Application Deadline, which may be any date between December 1 and February 1.
      7. Midyear Critic Training, following the Midyear School Application Deadline.
      8. Mid-year Mentor Training.
      9. Critics Voting.
      10. Awards Event (Gala or Ceremony).
    9. Selection of:
      1. Participation level:
        1. Reviews and Awards, or
        2. Reviews only.
      2. Awards event:
        1. Gala (formal, with entertainment), or
        2. Ceremony (informal, without entertainment)
      3. Cappies Shows per School (1 or 2).
      4. Reviews required (3, 4, or 5) per Critic, through the Program Year.
      5. Fee ($100 to $300, per school)
      6. Time Zone
      7. Maximum driving distance (in minutes)
      8. Geographic boundaries.
    10. A Commitment to:
      1. Pay the Charter Fee, which will be established annually.
      2. Pay an annual fee critic fee as determined by the governing board.
      3. Submit a Written Charter Application.
      4. Follow, and require all Participating Schools, Mentors, Critics, and any other Program Participant to follow, all Rules and C.I.S. Procedures.
    11. An Affirmation that no Member of the proposed Steering Committee has been convicted of, or is presently charged with, any felony offense. Background checks or a letter from the chapter requesting exception will be required.
  4. An On-Line Charter Application may be approved or denied by the Governing Board, for any reason.
    1. Upon approval of the On-Line Charter Application, a Program's C.I.S. page will be activated.
    2. The Governing Board may approve an On-Line Charter Application, with a request that a Program insert missing data on its C.I.S. pages.
    3. An On-Line Application will be deemed temporary, pending an Applicant Group's submission and the Governing Board's receipt of a complete Written Charter Application.
  5. In its Written Charter Application, using Forms that are available for downloading and printing on the www.cappies.com Web Site, an Applicant Group will provide:
    1. The signed and dated acceptance, by the Program Chair, on behalf of the Steering Committee, of legal conditions described in the Charter Application.
    2. Payment of the Charter Fee.
    3. A signed Endorsement of the proposed Chair, or Program Director, by a person who is currently employed as a teacher or administrator at a Participating School, or in a school system that includes a Participating School, unless the Chair, or Program Director:
      1. Is currently employed as a teacher or administrator at a Participating School, or in a school system that includes a Participating School, or
      2. Held the position of Chair, or Program Director, during the prior Program Year.
    4. A signed Affirmation from Member of the proposed Steering Committee, who is not currently a teacher or administrator at any Participating School, or of any school system that includes any such school, stating that the Mentor has not been convicted of, and is not presently charged with, any felony offense. Background checks may be required by some school systems and/or insurance companies.
    5. An agreement to follow, and require all Participating Schools, Mentors, Critics, and any other Program Participant to follow, all Rules and C.I.S. Procedures.
  6. A Written Charter Application may be approved or denied by the Governing Board, for any reason.
  7. When a Charter Application is approved:
    1. An Applicant Group will become a Steering Committee authorized to run a Program.
    2. The Webmaster will activate Program Pages on C.I.S. and the Web Site.
  8. After a Charter is approved, a Steering Committee may not amend its Charter, or any provisions therein, but may amend Program data via C.I.S.
  9. Following the Initial Critic Training, a Steering Committee may not, during the remainder of the Program Year:
    1. Change its Level of Participation.
    2. Alter the minimum number of Reviews required per Critic.
    3. Raise or lower School Participation Fees.
  10. Additions or deletions to the initial list of Participating Schools will not require an amendment to the Charter, except:
    1. If the deletion of a Participating School results in fewer than four Participating Schools, the Program Director must immediately notify the Director.
    2. The Program will have 60 days to add a fourth Participating School, or its Charter will be terminated.
  11. Within two years after its first Charter Application, a Program will apply:
    1. Apply to become a corporation, if required by state law.
    2. Apply to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for educational or charitable status under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, within two years of the date of this Charter Application.
    3. Provide proof of insurance.
    4. Request for an extension of the time limit for these applications.
  12. A Charter may be terminated, at any time:
    1. By a Program, for any reason, without refund of the Charter Fee.
    2. By a two-thirds vote of the Governing Board, upon notice to a Program Director, with a statement of reasons, and with a pro rata refund of the Charter Fee.

Steering Committee

  1. A Steering Committee will include a minimum of four and a maximum of twelve Members.
    1. At least two Members will be current or former high school teachers or administrators.
    2. The Steering Committee may replace any Member or officer, for any reason, by a two-thirds vote.
    3. Steering Committee Members will be presumed to be volunteers, and not paid any fees, salaries, or honoraria through any Program bank account, unless a request for the authority to make such payments is made to the Governing Board, which may grant any such request, at its discretion.
  2. The Steering Committee will select:
    1. A Chair, who will:
      1. Learn, and ensure compliance with Cappies Rules and C.I.S. Procedures.
      2. Schedule and preside at meetings of the Steering Committee.
      3. Maintain oversight of, and close communication with, the Program Director and/or Governing Board.
    2. A Program Director, who will administer the Program.
    3. A Treasurer, who will manage Program finances.
  3. The Steering Committee will decide Program questions, on its own initiative, or at the request of the Program Director, consistent with the Rules.
    1. The Steering Committee will act by consensus, to the extent possible.
    2. Any questions requiring a vote will be decided by majority vote, with any tie vote decided by the Chair. Any tie vote will be decided by the Chair, who may participate in any initial vote.
  4. The Steering Committee will determine the following dates:
    1. The On-Line School Application Deadlines (initial and midyear).
    2. The first and last allowable dates for Cappies Shows.
    3. Critics Training dates.
    4. Mentor Training dates.
    5. The date for Award Voting.
    6. The date for the Ceremony or Gala.
  5. The Steering Committee will determine the following local Rule options:
    1. Geographic area.
    2. Extent of Program participation (Reviews only vs. Awards, Ceremony vs. Gala).
    3. Participation fee for each Participating School ($100 to $300 per school).
    4. Number of Cappies Shows per Participating School (1 or 2).
    5. Set a minimum limit for a Show Director to set for the number of Critics assigned to a Cappies Show of no fewer than 20.
    6. Whether to set an overall maximum limit for the number of Critics at a Cappies Show (30, 40, or 50).
    7. Minimum number of Reviews per Critic (3, 4, or 5).
    8. Number of Nominations per Category (3, 4, or 5).
    9. Critic Award Categories (Male/Female or various Year-in-School options).
    10. Featured Award Categories (2 or 4).
    11. Minimum Mean Evaluation Score for a Nomination (3.0 up to 6.0).
    12. How to address plagiarism and internet copying.
    13. Whether to assess $15 from a Critic who fails to attend Cappies Shows for which is on the final attendance list.
    14. Whether to assess $15 from a Critic who fails to submit a Review of a Cappies Show attended by that Critic.
    15. Whether to have a Gala or Ceremony.
    16. Whether, at a Gala or Ceremony, to allow Show Directors to perform songs of nominated Musicals that are not Critics' Choices, where compelling circumstances require this.
    17. Award Items.
  6. The Chair and Program Director will have access to any and all Program data on C.I.S., and will maintain confidentiality of data on these pages, as appropriate.
  7. The Steering Committee members will have access to selected Program data, on a separate C.I.S. site.
  8. By two-thirds vote, the Steering Committee may remove any member, or may remove any person from any Program position (including, but not limited to, Program Director).

Program Director

  1. A Program Director will:
    1. Administer the Program and direct all operations, including:
      1. Outreach, orientation, and applications.
      2. Rosters and Schedules.
      3. Training.
      4. Cappies Shows.
      5. Reviews.
      6. Awards Voting.
      7. Gala or Ceremony.
      8. Media campaigns.
    2. Keep the Steering Committee fully informed of all Program operations.
    3. Be knowledgeable about all Cappies Rules, including C.I.S. Procedures and Awards Voting.
    4. Propose schedules to the Steering Committee for the following:
      1. On-Line School Applications (initial and midyear).
      2. First and last allowable dates for Cappies Shows.
      3. Awards Voting.
      4. Ceremony or Gala.
    5. Set schedules for the following:
      1. Lead Critics Meetings.
      2. Critics Training.
      3. Mentors Training.
  2. The Program Director will use Cappies Information Services (C.I.S.) to administer the day-to-day operations of the Program, and will:
    1. Use C.I.S. to:
      1. Submit the Program's Charter Application.
      2. Collect School Applications.
      3. Set and update Rosters of Participating Schools
      4. Set and update the Schedule for Cappies Shows, Mentors, and Critics.
      5. Confirm Assignments, and expected attendance, of Mentors and Critics at upcoming Cappies Shows.
      6. Manage Review writing, selection, editing, and submission.
      7. Oversee Critics' attendance and Review-writing data.
      8. Insert Critics' Choices to create Awards Ballots.
      9. Prepare for Awards Voting.
      10. Determine Critics Awards.
    2. Assist Steering Committee Members, Advisors, Mentors, and Critics in their use of C.I.S., which will include:
      1. Providing assistance to the Webmaster, as required, in distributing user names and passwords.
      2. Training Steering Committee Members, Advisors, Mentors, and Critics in C.I.S. Procedures.
      3. Assisting anyone who may have difficulty logging into C.I.S.
      4. Informing anyone whose use of C.I.S. may be affected by updates or revisions of C.I.S. Procedures.
    3. Not use C.I.S. to:
      1. Send emails that bear no relevance or relationship whatsoever to the Cappies, including:
          1. Audition notices for any event other than a Cappies Show or other event hosted or sponsored by the Cappies.
          2. Notices of any performances that are not Cappies Shows.
          3. Fund-raising for any organization other than the Cappies.
      2. Provide C.I.S. data to anyone other than a Cappies official or other person authorized by the Steering Committee.
    4. Submit and maintain current data on C.I.S., as required by the Rules.
    5. Oversee the Advisor, Show Director, Mentor, Booster, and Critic C.I.S. pages, as may be necessary to manage the day-to-day operations of the Program.
        1. Keep and use a master password, to access these pages.
        2. Maintain the confidentiality of this master password.
  3. In the event C.I.S. is not functioning, the Program Director and Web Coordinator will carry out contingency plans, as advised by the Director or their designee.
    1. When C.I.S. is not functioning for two consecutive scheduled notices of Assignment, the Web Coordinator will distribute one such notice, by email, to assigned Mentors and Critics, and to the Show Director and Booster of the Performing School.
    2. When C.I.S. is not functioning, for any reason:
      1. Critics will email Reviews to critic.XXX@cappies.com ("XXX" is the three-letter code for the Regional Program), whereupon those Reviews will be received by both Mentors and the Program Director.
      2. Mentors will email Reviews, when edited, to mentor.XXX@cappies.com ("XXX" is the three-letter code for the Regional Program).
      3. When emailing Reviews to these bins, Critics and Mentors will write and edit Reviews in the text of email, Critics will include their names and school names beneath their Reviews, and Mentors will indicate which reviews (and in what rank order) Reviews are selected for the media.
    3. If the internet is not functioning, the Program Director will consult with the Director to arrange for an emergency procedure to receive and edit Reviews.
    4. If C.I.S. and/or the internet is not functioning immediately prior to Awards Voting, during Awards Voting, or during the Audit and Certification process following Awards Voting, for any reason, the Director and Webmaster will assist the Program Director in:
      1. Postponing the Awards Voting until C.I.S. is again functional, or:
      2. Preparing and managing a paper Ballot voting process, with votes inputted into C.I.S. as soon as it is again functional.
  4. The Program Director will use the Program Pages on the www.cappies.com Web Site to provide public information about the Program.
    1. The Program Director will print out backup files, from C.I.S., of the full database for each school.
    2. The Program Director will prepare and maintain Web Pages for:
      1. Participating Schools, each of which will have one Page, which will include the address(es), date(s) and curtain time(s) of any Cappies Show(s) at that Participating School.
      2. Selected Reviews of Cappies Shows.
      3. Media coverage and photographs of Cappies Shows, Awards Galas or Ceremony, or other Program events.
      4. News about upcoming Program events.
    3. The Program Director will preserve the confidentiality of phone numbers and emails within the C.I.S. database.
    4. The Program Director will not allow any commercial messages to be displayed on the Web Site, apart from links to organizations that have provided funding or other sponsorship to the Program.
  2. The Program Director will monitor:
    1. Critics' performance, including:
      1. Attendance at Cappies Shows.
      2. Behavior at Cappies Shows.
      3. Acceptability of Reviews.
      4. Participation in Awards Voting.
    2. 2. Compliance with the Rules at Cappies Shows, by the Performing School, Mentors, and Critics.
    3. 3. The post-show Review submission and editing process, by:
      1. Receiving selected and edited Reviews from the Editor Mentor, on the Sunday evening following a Cappies Show.
      2. Reviewing and, as necessary, re-ranking Reviews to conform with reasonable expectations of what the Media can publish, editing Reviews selected for the Media, and (for Rule violations) all Reviews.
      3. Submitting selected reviews to the media, on a timely basis.
      4. Submitting all reviews, or all reviews except those submitted to the most prestigious media, to the Performing School, not later than Tuesday night of the week following the Cappies Show, 
      5. Posting reviews selected for the media on the web site.
    4. Critics' Choices, by confirming their timely and accurate entry on C.I.S., and making any corrections that may be necessary to bring them into conformance with the Rules.
    5. Post-Show Evaluations, by collecting and retaining them, in a confidential file, until Awards Voting.
  3. The Program Director will make a major effort to inform area media about the Program, and to invite them to become Participating Media, with materials provided by the Director.
    1. Participating Media may include:
      1. Local daily and weekly newspapers.
      2. Student newspapers, which the Participating School will identify in its School Application, unless the Steering Committee makes this requirement optional.
      3. Broadcast media.
      4. Internet media.
      5. Any other media identified by the Director.
    2. The Program Director will request area media to become Participating Media by publishing and/or broadcasting:
      1. Reviews of Cappies Shows written by Critics, selected by Mentors, and forwarded by the Program Director (or designee).
      2. Pre-season high school theater sections (fall and spring).
      3. Notices of upcoming Cappies Shows.
      4. Initial results of Awards Voting, about Nominees.
      5. Coverage of Gala, including Awards winners.
    3. Participating Media will be authorized, and requested, to:
      1. Edit any Review, without consent of the Critic.
      2. Refuse to publish or broadcast any Review, for any reason.
      3. Include a byline, with the name of the student Critic and his/her School.
      4. Identify the Review as part of the Cappies program.
      5. Provide feedback, to the Media Coordinator, about the quality of Reviews.
      6. Assist in Critic Training.
      7. Present an award at the Gala or Ceremony.
    4. The Program Director will assist in the development of new media by:
      1. Maintaining a current local media kit.
      2. Keeping the Director informed about the extent of media publication of Reviews.
      3. Mailing one original clipping of all major Program media coverage, including the first published Reviews, to the National Media Director.
      4. Including links to media coverage on the Program web page.
  4. The Program Director will take whatever other actions may be necessary to maintain the proper functioning, open communications, media access, and integrity of the Program.
  5. The Program Director, or a designated representative, will attend the annual Program Directors' meeting.
  6. The Program Director may enlist other persons to assist with any aspects of these tasks, including a:
    1. Web Coordinator.
    2. Booster Coordinator.
    3. Lead Critics Coordinator.
    4. Gala Directors and Assistants.
    5. Members of the Steering Committee to assist in the final screening and submission of Reviews.
  7. Maintain an archive of annual events and data which include:
    1. Number of schools participating.
    2. Number of critics participating.
    3. Number of reviews written.
    4. Number of reviews published.
    5. Major media coverage and/or events.
    6. Steering Committee meeting minutes.
    7. Insurance policy.
    8. All application, student participation, and security background check information.

Training

  1. All Advisors, Directors, Mentors, Boosters, and Critics will be responsible for learning Cappies Rules and C.I.S. Procedures applicable to their roles.
  2. All Advisors, Directors, Mentors, Boosters, and Critics will receive and read materials provided by The Cappies.
    1. Each Advisor will receive and read the Advisor's Binder.
    2. Each Director will receive and read the Show Director's Binder.
    3. Each Mentor will receive and read the Mentor's Binder.
    4. Each Booster will receive and read the Booster's Binder.
    5. Each Lead Critic will receive and read the Lead Critic's Binder.
    6. Each Critic will receive and read the Critic's Binder.
    7. Each member of a Program's Steering Committee will receive and read the Admin binders.
  3. Annual training Sessions are required for:
    1. All Mentors.
    2. All Critics.
  4. A Program will conduct at least two New Critics Training Sessions in a Program Year, including an initial Training Session and a Midyear Training Session.
  5. Training sessions will use a curriculum provided by The Cappies.
    1. New Programs will be conducted by an official of The Cappies, or a designee, who will specifically follow the training plan described in the Admin binder.
    2. Programs in their second year will conduct their own training, and will specifically follow the training plan described in the Admin binder.
    3. Programs in their third or subsequent years will cover the subject areas listed in the training plan described in the Admin binder, but will have reasonable discretion to use other training methods.
  6. Each Mentors Training Session will:
    1. Use a curriculum, and binders, provided by The Cappies.
    2. Be attended, by the Program Director, Chair, or both.
    3. Provide instruction regarding:
      1. Rules and C.I.S. Procedures for Cappies Shows, including Discussions, Critics' Choices, decorum, and confidentiality.
      2. Criteria for selection of reviews for media.
      3. Rules on criticism.
      4. How to spot-check for plagiarism and internet copying.
    4. Be of not less than one hour in duration.
  7. Each New Critics Training Session will:
    1. Use a curriculum provided by The Cappies.
    2. Be attended, by the Program Director, Chair, or both.
    3. Provide extensive instruction regarding:
      1. Rules and C.I.S. Procedures for Cappies Shows, including Discussions, Critics' Choices, decorum, and confidentiality.
      2. Criteria for selection of reviews for media.
      3. Rules on criticism.
      4. Prohibitions on plagiarism and internet copying.
      5. Confidentiality, including web-based conversations.
    4. Be of not less than three hours duration.
  8. Each Returning Critics Training Session will:
    1. Use a curriculum, and binders, provided by The Cappies.
    2. Review the prior year's overall performance.
    3. Review any changes in Rules and Procedures.
    4. Provide brief reminders regarding:
      1. Rules and procedures for Cappies Shows, including Discussions, Critics' Choices, decorum, and confidentiality.
      2. Criteria for selection of reviews for media.
      3. Rules on criticism.
      4. Prohibitions on plagiarism and internet copying.
      5. Confidentiality, including web-based conversations.
    5. Provide advanced instruction in writing and critiquing.
    6. Be of not less than 90 minutes in duration.

Schools

  1. A Program will be open to the participation of any qualifying school, including:
    1. Any public, private, charter, or parochial high school.
    2. Grades 9 to 12 of a K-12 school that has not less than 100 students in Grades 9 to 12.
    3. A home school association representing not less than 100 students in Grades 9 to 12.
      1. Only one home school team will be accepted by any Regional Steering Committee.
      2. If there is more than one home school team application, the Steering Committee will determine which application will be accepted for that season.
      3. All home school students will be eligible to apply to the accepted home school critics team
      4. The accepted home school team must allow open Cappies Show auditions among all home schooled performers residing within their Region
    4. At the option of the Steering Committee, a school (or home school association) of not fewer than 100 students in Grades 9 to 12.
  2. Schools that participated in a prior year's Program will submit a new application for each new Program Year, on a timely basis.
  3. To be a Participating School in a Program, for a current Program Year, a school must submit a School Application, prior to a School Application Deadline set by the Program.
  4. A School's Application will be submitted by the Advisor, who must be a teacher at the Participating School.
  5. A School Application will include:
    1. An On-Line School Application, submitted through Cappies Information Services (C.I.S.), which a School may access through the Web Site (www.cappies.com), and
    2. A Written School Application, available to download and print through the Web Site (www.cappies.com), a completed copy of which must be received by the Program Director within 14 days after the On-Line School Application Deadline.
  6. In its On-Line School Application, a school will include:
    1. The name, street address, theater department phone number, and ticket information phone number of the Participating School.
    2. A two-letter code for the Participating School, for use by C.I.S.
      1. This code may be any two letters that easily identify the Participating School (e.g., "LN" for "Liberty North High School").
      2. The Program Director may select a different code for the Participating School, for any reason.
    3. The extent of requested participation, which can be either:
      1. Full Participation, with its shows reviewed and (if allowed by the Program) eligible for Cappies Awards,
      2. Partial Participation, with Critics, Mentors, and one or more Cappies Show reviewed but not eligible for Awards, or
      3. Limited Participation, with Critics but not Mentors, with no Cappies Shows reviewed or eligible for Awards.
    4. Whether the School will perform one or two Cappies Show(s), and whether each Cappies Show(s) will be a Play or Musical.
      1. In a Program that allows two Cappies Shows per Participating School:
        1. The Cappies Shows will include one Play and one Musical, unless otherwise authorized by the Steering Committee.
        2. A Steering Committee will allow a School that joins after the Initial School Application Deadline to have only one Cappies Show.
      2. In a Program that allows one Cappies Show per Participating School, the Show may be a Play or Musical.
    5. A preferred date and time, and alternative dates and times, for each Cappies Show to be performed by the Participating School.
    6. Dates and times will be given for every performance and dress rehearsal of that show.
    7. The Participating School may request that a dress rehearsal, or a special Critics-only performance (to which the public will not be invited), be designated the Cappies Show.
    8. The address of the theater where the Cappies Show will take place, if different from the Participating School's address.
    9. Names, home, work or school, cell phone numbers (if they exist), and email addresses for:
        1. Advisor.
        2. Director of the Cappies Show.
        3. One or two Qualified Mentors. (See Section X)
        4. Critics (home and cell phone only).
          1. One Lead Critic.
          2. Two to five additional Critics for the Participating School's Critics Team.
          3. One to three Critics who will be assigned to a Regional Team by the Program Director (optional).
        5. Booster (a parent of a student at the Participating School).
        6. A school newspaper representative (school phone only).
    10. Gender, school year, and mailing address (if a data entry field exists) for each Critic.
    11. Requested block-out dates on which:
      1. Each Mentor requests not to be scheduled for a Cappies Show.
      2. The Lead Critic requests the Team not be scheduled for a Cappies Show.
    12. The commitment of the Participating School to:
        1. Pay the School Participation Fee.
        2. Submit a Written School Application, which must be received by the Program Director within 14 days after the On-Line School Application is submitted.
        3. Follow, and require all Mentors, Critics, and any other Program Participant to follow, all Rules and C.I.S. Procedures.
    13. The date on which the On-Line School Application is submitted.
  7. In its Written School Application, using forms that are available for downloading and printing on the www.cappies.com Web Site, a Participating School will provide:
    1. Payment of the School Participation Fee.
    2. All Mentors and/or adults who will have contact with students will need to complete a background check through procedures specified by Cappies Inc.  
    3. A signed Parental Authorization Form for each Critic, confirming a parent's understanding that the safety of transportation to and from a Cappies Show, the safety of any facilities at the Performing School, the conduct of the Critic or any other Critic, and the medical needs of the Critic, are not the responsibility of the Program, or of Cappies, Inc.
    4. The signed, and dated, approval of the Advisor, or of another Authorizing Teacher (with an acknowledgment that the Advisor has been informed of the School Application).
    5. The signed, and dated, approval of the Principal or other School Administrator.
  8. The Program Director may conditionally approve an On-Line School Application, pending timely receipt of the Written Application, or may request that missing information be provided in a new On-Line Application.
  9. Once the On-Line School Application has been approved, an Advisor may change any data on it, by emailing the Program Director.
    1. An Advisor may amend a Participating School's list of Participants (Mentors, Critics, Booster, and School Newspaper contacts), their phone numbers, and/or email addresses, at any time.
    2. An Advisor may make changes on the Critics Team, at any time, by email to the Program Director.
    3. Before any new Critic will be added to a Critics Team, the Treasurer must receive a Parental Authorization Form for that Critic and the critic must have received Critics Training.
  10. A Participating School will provide a minimum of one Qualified Mentor for Cappies Shows. A Qualified Mentor is one that has met all background check requirements and has been trained for that year.
    1. For programs allowing one Cappies Show per school during the Program Year, a Participating School will be responsible for providing Qualified Mentors for two Cappies Shows.
    2. For programs allowing two Cappies Shows per school during the Program Year, a Participating School will be responsible for providing Qualified Mentors for four Cappies Shows.
    3. A Participating School may select two Qualified Mentors, in which case the Assignments will be split evenly.
  11. A Participating School will provide a Critics Team to review Cappies Shows (and, at the Program's option, evaluate Shows for Awards).
    1. A Participating School's Critics Team will be assigned to the number of shows (3, 4, or 5) the Program has selected as the required minimum number for each Critic to review.
    2. Through a Program Year, Critics from each Participating School will be required to submit a minimum total number of Reviews.
      1. The required minimum number will be three times the number of assigned Cappies Shows, and will be the same for Teams with different numbers of Critics.
      2. Reviews submitted, or Awards Voting, by Regional Team Critics will be credited toward these minimum requirements.
    3. Each Cappies Show assigned to the Team will be attended and reviewed by not less than:
      1. Two Critics (if the Team has 3 or 4 Critics).
      2. Three Critics (if the Team has 5 or 6 Critics).
    4. At least two Critics from each Participating School will vote for Awards.
    5. Sanctions will be imposed if Critics fail to meet minimum standards.
      1. A Participating School's Cappies Show will be disqualified from Awards if:
        1. Its Critics submit fewer than the required minimum number of Reviews, and/or do not have at least two Critics who vote for Awards.
        2. Its Critics fail to submit any Reviews for two assigned Cappies Shows.
      2. A Participating School's Cappies Team will have one Review added to its yearly minimum for each Review fewer than the minimum required number that are submitted by its Critics for an assigned Cappies Show. (For example: If a six-member team submits only one review for an assigned show—two less than the required number of three—then its yearly minimum Review requirement will be raised from 15 to 17).
    6. A Critics Team may avoid sanctions if, not later than 14 days before a Cappies Show, or in the event of emergency, it notifies the Program Director that it wishes to reschedule its assigned Cappies Show. A Critics Team cannot decline an assigned show within 48 hours of that show for any reason. If they must, even in an emergency, they will be reassigned to a show. In addition, the Critics Team will be assigned one penalty show by the Program Director.
      1. The Program Director will provide the Critics Team with alternative Cappies Shows to which they can be assigned.
      2. The Critics Team must volunteer for one of these alternative Cappies Shows, not later than the date on which the originally assigned Cappies Show takes place. If a penalty show has also been assigned, the Critics Team must also select among the offered show to address their penalty.
      3. If the Critics Team does not attend their selected reassigned Cappie Show or their selected reassigned penalty show, the Team will be disqualified from Awards consideration. If the Team has not met its team minimum requirements, the School will also be disqualified from Awards consideration.
  12. A Participating School will reserve complimentary tickets, refreshments, and a Cappies Room sufficient for as many as fifty Mentors, Critics, and Steering Committee Members.
    1. Through C.I.S., a Participating School will receive a report on expected Cappies attendance, two weeks, one week, and two days before a Cappies Show.
    2. An Advisor or Director may request to the Program Director, at any time, that the number of Critics be limited for a Participating School's Cappies Show, except the limit may not be less than:
      1. A minimum Critics' attendance (not less than 20, nor more than 50) set by the Steering Committee at the start of the Program Year.
      2. The number of Critics currently on the attendance list for that Cappies Show.
  13. A Participating School will not be responsible for any items that may be lost by a Mentor or Critic, but will retain (in lost-and-found) any items left behind in the Cappies Room by a Mentor or Critic.
  14. As a sanction for nonperforming Critics, and after giving notice to Critics in Training, the Steering Committee may, at its option:
    1. Ask the Participating School to reimburse the Program $15 for every ticket to a Cappies Show, used by a Critic on the Critics Team who:
      1. Failed to attend a Cappies Show for which the Critic's name was on the final attendance list.
      2. Failed to submit a Review for a Cappies Show attended by the Critic.
    2. Reimburse the Performing School for any sum collected from nonperforming Critics.
    3. The Steering Committee may make these reimbursements as adjustment to sums owed for the purchase of tickets to a Gala or Ceremony.
  15. At any time during a Program Year, a Participating School may:
    1. Terminate its Participation in the Program, without a refund of its Participation Fee.
    2. Reduce (but not increase) its Extent of School Participation, without a refund of its Participation Fee.
    3. Be removed from the Program, for substantial or recurrent Rule violations, by a two-thirds vote of the Steering Committee.

Shows

  1. The Program Director will set the Schedule for Cappies Shows.
    1. Cappies Shows will ordinarily be scheduled public performances, but may include dress rehearsals or special critics-only performances, if requested by the Performing School, or required for the Schedule.
    2. Cappies Shows may be scheduled for the following time slots:
      1. On Friday and Saturday evenings, or Saturday afternoons.
      2. On Sunday afternoons, if a Friday or Saturday performance is not practicable.
      3. On Thursday, Wednesday, Tuesday, or Monday evenings, if no other regularly scheduled public performance time and date are practicable.
    3. The Steering Committee may require any Participating School that is distant from where most Critics live, or whose Cappies Show poses any other transportation problems, to schedule its Cappies Show(s) on Saturday evenings or weekend afternoons.
    4. A Performing School will schedule its Cappies Show to final bows that begin not later than 10:30 PM.
      1. If a Cappies Show has final bows that begin later than 10:30 PM but before 11:00 PM, critics will be advised to take the noncompliance with this lateness Rule into account when scoring the Show for the Play or Musical Award categories.
      2. If a Cappies Show has final bows that begin later than 11:00 PM, it will be ineligible for the Play or Musical Award categories.
      3. If, in the judgment of the Mentors, the lateness of the final bows is the result of any delay in seating Critics, these sanctions may be waived.
    5. The Steering Committee will determine the number of Cappies Shows that may take place during the same time slot.
    6. To set the Schedule, the Program Director will:
      1. Honor the dates, and times, requested in School Applications, unless too many requests are made for one time slot.
      2. When a conflict exists, preference will be given to Participating Schools that received fewer Awards and/or Nominations in the prior year, or will be decided by lot.
      3. Assign school Critics Teams to a minimum of two plays and two musicals if at all possible.
    7. The Program Director will set the Schedule at the Initial Lead Critics Schedule Meeting.
    8. If any additional Participating School is added at Midyear, the Program Director may schedule its Cappies Show(s) in any available time slot.
    9. The Program Director may change the Schedule at any subsequent time during the Program Year, as circumstances require.
    10. The Cappies reserves the right to review play content to maintain the integrity of the Program, and therefore supports the right for a chapter's steering committee to decline a show that is to be reviewed by the critics.
    11. Cappies may request verification of publisher permission for any changes in a production which might otherwise violate the publisher's contract
  2. A Cappies Show will:
    1. Be a performance of one scripted show, or two scripted shows with a similar theme.
    2. Be a minimum of 75 minutes running time, not including intermission.
    3. Have a performing cast at least half of whom are students in grades 9 through 12.
    4. Include at least one intermission of not less than 15 minutes, suitable for a Critics' Discussion, unless the Play or Musical script specifically calls for no intermission.
  3. At a Cappies Show, a Performing School will provide:
    1. A Cappies Room of sufficient size for the projected number of Mentors and Critics, not more than a two minute walk from the theater (must be a separate/isolated room away from the performance space), available 45 minutes before curtain, during intermission, and 45 minutes after final bows.
    2. Clearly visible signs, at the theater entrance and in hallways, directing Mentors and Critics to the Cappies Room.
    3. Complimentary tickets for Critics, Mentors, and not less than two Cappies officials, in cordoned-off, preferred-seating locations where the Mentors and Critics can see and hear well (in most theaters: the center section, rows five through seven), with instructions to auditorium ushers to reseat any persons who sit in this location before Mentors and Critics are seated.
    4. Complimentary refreshments, at least comparable to what the audience may purchase at intermission.
    5. A simple microphone and sound system, for Cappies Shows with 20 or more Critics on the final attendance list.
    6. Show programs.
    7. A completed Award Category Eligibility form, presented to the Editor Mentor not later than 30 minutes prior to curtain.
    8. A student usher, who will:
      1. Remain outside the door of the Cappies Room, in a location where the usher cannot see or hear what takes place in the Cappies Room.
      2. Assist the Mentors in ensuring that no one from the Performing School is present in the Cappies Room during the intermission and post-show Discussions, unless invited by a Mentor.
      3. Ensure that the Cappies Room is secure while the Mentors and Critics are in the theater, and promptly accessible to Mentors and Critics at the start of intermission and after final bows.
      4. Escort the Mentors and Critics between the Cappies Room and the theater in a timely manner, at the start of the Show and after intermission.
      5. Request that any theater patrons seated in locations reserved for Mentors and Critics change their seats, to enable Mentors and Critics to sit together as a group.
      6. Help answer Critics' questions about the Cappies Show, with assistance from the Show Director (or designee), as requested.
  4. In presenting a Cappies Show, a Performing School will:
    1. Not start the show, nor resume after intermission, until all Mentors and Critics are seated.
    2. Not require the Critics to be present in the auditorium during any pre-show or post-intermission ceremonies and recognitions longer than one minute.
    3. Excuse Critics, by public announcement, from any post-show (e.g., closing night) ceremonies and recognitions longer than one minute.
  5. Upon request, a Performing School will be advised of the total Cappies attendance five minutes before curtain.
    1. Fourteen days, seven days, and two days before a Cappies Show, the Advisor, Booster, Lead Critic will receive advance notice, through Cappies Information Services (C.I.S.), of the number of tickets that will be required for Mentors, Critics, and Program Officials who are expected to attend a Cappies Show.
      1. The numbers provided through advance notice will not limit the final number of Critics who may attend a Cappies Show, unless a limit has been specifically set.
      2. Unclaimed Critics tickets may be returned for sale to others five minutes before curtain.
      3. The Performing School may not refuse to provide tickets to any Critics, Mentors, or Program Officials, unless:
        1. The Cappies Show is a sellout, and
        2. The only Critics who are being refused tickets are those who were not on the final (48-hour) attendance list.
    2. At any time, the Performing School's Advisor or Show Director may limit the number of Critics at a Cappies Show at the Advisor's school, by making such a request to the Program Director.
      1. This limit will not be fewer than 20, nor more than (30, 40, or 50) as set by the Steering Committee.
      2. This limit will not apply to any Critic who has been assigned to, or has volunteered for, a Cappies Show before the limit is set.
    3. At its option, upon giving notice to all Critics during Training, the Steering Committee may reimburse the Performing School for:
      1. The sum of $15 for any Critic who is on the attendance list for a Cappies Show but who fails to attend.
      2. The sum of $15 for any Critic who attends a show but fails to submit a Review.
      3. The posted price for tickets to a Cappies Show, beyond 50, which are in fact used by Critics, but only upon specific request from a Show Director, and not later than two weeks after a Cappies Show.
  6. A Cappies Show will be eligible for:
    1. Review by Critics, with Reviews selected for Participating Media.
    2. Awards, unless:
      1. The Program does not include Awards, or
      2. The Performing School has requested that its Cappies Show not be Awards eligible, or
      3. The Cappies Show has been disqualified from Awards, for any reason.
  7. A Participating School may change the actual show, location, and/or starting time, of a Cappies Show, at any time and for any reason, by giving notice to the Program Director not later than 7 days prior to the scheduled date for the Cappies Show.
    1. In the event of a weather emergency or other unforeseen circumstances, the Advisor may request a postponement or cancellation at any time, with prompt notice given to the Program Director.
    2. The Program Director will select the time slot for the rescheduled Cappies Show.
  8. A Program Director may, but is not required to, allow the rescheduling of a Cappies Show with less than 7 days notice.
  9. The Program Director may schedule one or more Special Cappies Shows, for the purpose of introducing new schools to The Cappies or of providing a community service.
    1. A Special Cappies Show may be scheduled for:
      1. A high school (or grades 9 to12 of a K-12 school) that is not a Participating School.
      2. A regional or special education center, or a regional youth program, whose performing cast is at least 75 percent of high school age.
    2. Prior to a Special Cappies Show, the Program Director will schedule one Mentor and only the number of Critics whose reviews will be forwarded for publication.
      1. Two Critics may be assigned to write a joint Review.
      2. At the Program Director's option, a Mentor may be credited with one of his/her School's required Mentor Assignments, for volunteering.
      3. A Critic and the Critic's Team will not be credited with a Critic's Assignment.
      4. The Performing School will be asked to provide complimentary tickets to critics and mentors.
    3. At a Special Cappies Show:
      1. The Mentor and Critics will meet at the box office 30 minutes before curtain.
      2. Exchange email addresses and phone numbers.
      3. The Mentor and Critics will sit together, and, during intermission and after final bows, will find a location for private Discussions comparable to those at other Cappies Shows.
      4. No Critics' Choices will be selected.
    4. Following a Special Cappies Show, the Critics will submit Reviews, and the Mentor will edit and forward them, outside C.I.S., through whatever Procedures the Program Director may direct.
  10. A Cappies Show may be disqualified for the Play or Musical Award, or from all Awards, as a consequence of substantial or recurrent Rule violations by its Critics Team, any individual Critic, or its Mentor.
    1. This sanction requires a two-thirds vote of the Steering Committee.
    2. The Steering Committee may only disqualify a Cappies Show for individual Critic misbehavior if others on the Critics Team, or the Advisor, are aware of this misbehavior and allow it to continue.

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