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Award Categories

  1. Awards will be defined in, and be limited to, designated Categories.
  2. For each Award Category except the Critics Awards, the following will be factors:
    1. Quality of presentation.
    2. Originality and creativity.
    3. Range of expression.
    4. Degree of difficulty.
  3. The following Awards will be determined by Scores computed by Cappies Information Services (C.I.S.):
    1. Critic. All individual Critic Awards are determined by an objective score given all Critics who submitted the required minimum number of Reviews and participated in Awards Voting. Each Critic's score is based 50 percent on number of Reviews, 50 percent on number of selections (for top media and all media), pursuant to a normalized formula set by the Governing Board. Ties will be resolved by average rank of selections (as a percentage of all Reviews submitted at Cappies Shows reviewed by a Critic). Critic awards may be determined by:
      1. Gender (Female and Male Critic), or
      2. Year in School, as:
        1. Two Awards: "Graduating Critic" (for those in, or recently having completed, the 12th grade), and "Rising Critic" (9th through 11th grades).
        2. Three Awards: or three Critics Awards, "Graduating Critic," "Returning Critic," and "Underclass Critic" (9th and 10th grades), or
        3. Four Awards: "Graduating Critic" (12th grade), "Junior Critic" (11th grade), Sophomore Critic" (10th grade), and "Freshman Critic" (9th grade).
    2. Critics Team. This Award is based on the performance of the six highest-scoring Critics, including Regional Team Critics, from a Participating School. To be eligible for inclusion, each Critic of the Critics Team must have reviewed the required minimum number of shows and participated in Awards Voting. The Team score is based 50 percent on number of Reviews, 50 percent on number of selections for top media and all media, pursuant to a normalized formula set by the Governing Board. Ties will be resolved by comparing the scores of the highest-scoring individual Critics, and (if necessary) the next highest-scoring Critics, until a determination can be made.
  4. The following Awards will be voted by Critics in Awards Voting, based on Critics' Choices at Cappies Shows:
    1. Marketing and publicity refers to the publicity campaign for the produced play or musical. The materials or description of campaigns must be available to the Critics prior to the show and must be the original work of a student of group of students in grades 9 through 12. This may include, but is not limited to: (a) graphic design, (b) poster, (c) program, (d) web site, (e) press release, (f) trailer or other media, or (g) lobby display.
      1. Significant documentation that clarifies the student versus adult contributions for each aspect of the work is strongly recommended. If either component (design and/or execution) is primarily student done, then the production is eligible for an award in that technical category, assuming that there is substantial documentation to prove that element was student done.
    2. Sound. This Award incorporates the technical aspects of sound, including amplified sound, sound effects, and music not performed by live musicians. The extent of sound amplification, the frequency and timing of sound cues, the visual aspects of the placement of sound equipment, and the use of sound equipment by performers, are factors. All work must be done by or under the direction of one student or a small group of students, but adult guidance is permissible.
    3. Lighting. This Award incorporates the design and execution of stage lighting, including lights that are part of any sets, costumes, props, or still-projection (gobo) special effects. The timing and coordination of light cues, and the use of lit areas by the cast on stage, are factors. All work must be done by or under the direction of one student or a small group of students, but adult guidance is permissible.
    4. Sets. This Award incorporates the design, construction, and finishing work on all scenes, including back walls, stage trim, furniture, and every physical item other than lights, costumes, and hand-held props. All design work must be done by or under the direction of one student or a small group of students, but adult guidance is permissible. A majority of the construction and finishing work must be done by students, but some adult participation is permissible, especially as required to ensure performer safety. Furniture need not be made by students. Crew work (in set changes) is not a factor.
      1. Significant documentation that clarifies the student versus adult contributions for each aspect of the work is strongly recommended. If either component (design and/or execution) is primarily student done, then the production is eligible for an award in that technical category, assuming that there is substantial documentation to prove that element was student done.
      2. (In the past if the set design was done by an adult then no set award was possible even if the students did all the building.)
    5. Costumes. This Award incorporates the design, assembly, and making of costumes, and the speed of costume changes. Costumes are defined as anything worn by performers, including hats and footwear. All design and assembly must be done by or under the direction of one student or a small group of students, but adult guidance is permissible. Some non-student-made costumes (e.g., costumes that are rented, made by parents, drawn from a school's costume collection, and/or borrowed from elsewhere) are permissible, but only if a list of rented or adult-constructed costumes is provided to Critics prior to the show.
      1. Significant documentation that clarifies the student versus adult contributions for each aspect of the work is strongly recommended. If either component (design and/or execution) is primarily student done, then the production is eligible for an award in that technical category, assuming that there is substantial documentation to prove that element was student done.
    6. Make-Up. This Award incorporates the design and execution of all facial (and other) cosmetics, hair, nails, and props (e.g., fake noses, ears, hands, or feet) attached to performers' bodies. All work must be done by or under the direction of one student or a small group of students, but adult guidance is permissible.
      1. Significant documentation that clarifies the student versus adult contributions for each aspect of the work is strongly recommended. If either component (design and/or execution) is primarily student done, then the production is eligible for an award in that technical category, assuming that there is substantial documentation to prove that element was student done.
    7. Props. This Award incorporates the design, construction or collection, and use of student-designed props that are neither sets nor costumes. Examples include, but are not limited to, weapons, food, beverage containers, or live animals. This work must be specifically identified to Critics prior to a show. All work must be done by or under the direction of one student or a small group of students, but adult guidance is permissible. The quality of performer use of props is a factor, but a performer who uses props (e.g., a puppeteer or magician) may be considered only if s/he assisted in the design and/or construction of the props.
    8. Special Effects and/or Technologies. This aspect of theatre refers to the design, construction, or collection of special effects and/or technologies that are neither sound nor lighting. Examples include, but are not limited to, video, magic, fog, aromas, projections, and digital effects. This work must be specifically identified to Critics prior to a show. All work must be done by or under the direction of one student or a small group of students in grades 9 through 12, but adult guidance is permissible. The quality of performer-use of effects is a factor, but a performer who uses effects (for instance, a magician) may be considered only if she/he assisted in the design and/or construction of the effects.
      1. Significant documentation that clarifies the student versus adult contributions for each aspect of the work is strongly recommended. If either component (design and/or execution) is primarily student done, then the production is eligible for an award in that technical category, assuming that there is substantial documentation to prove that element was student done.
    9. Stage Management and Stage Crew. This Award incorporates the speed, silence, invisibility, and/or entertainment aspects of scene, set, and furniture changes, and all other stage management, including all materials, whether visible or not. All work must be done by or under the direction of one student or a small group of students, but adult guidance is permissible.
    10. Orchestra. This Award is for a group of musical accompanists that performs not less than six full songs, as accompaniment to vocalists, and will be evaluated for tone, pitch, authority, balance, pace, performer support, and other factors of musicianship that may contribute to a successful show. An orchestra may be a combo, band, orchestra, or any other group of not less than 3 musicians, of whom not less than 80 percent are students. (A four-member orchestra must be all students, a 5- to 9-member orchestra may have one adult, a 10- to 14-member orchestra may have two adults, etc.) A conductor who is an adult and does not play an instrument will not be included in this percentage. Whether the score is performed as written for professional orchestras, or performed as simplified for student orchestras (by the publisher or by the school's own music director), is a factor.
    11. Choreography. This Award incorporates the design and teaching of dance choreography, stage combat, and/or other synchronized on-stage movements. To be eligible, a show must have a majority of its musical numbers, stage combat, and/or synchronized scenes designed, and taught to performers, by a student, separate students, or a small group of students, but adult guidance is permissible. Performer execution of the choreography is a factor. The entire set of student-designed choreography will be evaluated as a whole. Some adult choreography is permissible, as long as its location in the show is clearly identified to Critics in advance.
    12. Creativity refers to creative achievement – by a student or group of students in grades 9 through 12 – not encompassed in another category. Only one creative achievement may be identified by the critics as the Critics' Choice in each Cappies show. Areas of creative achievement include, but are not limited to: (A) Musicianship; (B) Composing; (C) Lyric Writing; (D) Play Writing; and (E) Directing. Guidelines for evaluating these areas of creative achievement are given below and on the following pages
      1. Significant documentation that clarifies the student versus adult contributions for each aspect of the work is strongly recommended. If either component (design and/or execution) is primarily student done, then the production is eligible for an award in that technical category, assuming that there is substantial documentation to prove that element was student done.
      2. This applies to each of the Creativity categories: Musicianship, Composing, Lyric Writing, Play Writing, and Directing.
    13. Ensemble. This award refers to a distinct and recognizable group of performers who frequently (at a minimum, in more than one scene) appear on stage together as an intended/named unit, but it may not include the entire cast, or an adult in a prominent role. A majority of the ensemble performers must be students in grades 9 through 12. In a Musical, the Ensemble must be supporting in at least one song..In a Musical, this award is intended to recognize a chorus, although other ensemble groups are eligible.  As long as they appear together, they may represent different character groups.  For example, the Winkies/Ozians in "The Wiz", the secretaries in "Thoroughly Modern Millie," or the villagers/utensils OR the Silly Girls in "Beauty and the Beast."Though the ensemble may include a performer eligible for a lead category, the ensemble may not solely consist of leading actors" e.g. The Jets (yes, ALL of them) are ok. The Delta Nu's can be an ensemble, even though Elle is among themFemale Dancer. This Award is for a performer in any role, whether lead, supporting, or featured, who may either dance solo or as part of an ensemble, but who must be featured, at least briefly, in one or more dance numbers, but not necessarily as a solo. The dance will be evaluated for movement, expression, timing, technique (e.g., leaps, turns, jumps, or pirouettes), and the effectiveness of their integration. Non-dance movements (including gymnastics) may be considered, if part of a dance sequence. A performer's singing and acting, in dance scenes or elsewhere, are not factors.
    14. Featured Actor/Actress.A Featured performer creates and defines a memorable character, in a role that may OR may not have significant stage time, character presentation, and involvement in the story line. A role that is too small to qualify as Supporting will qualify as Featured. Examples in a musical are: Grandmother Berthe in "Pippin", Freddy in "My Fair Lady", and Marcellus in "The Music Man"."
    15. Female Dancer. This Award is for a performer in any role, whether lead, supporting, or featured, who may either dance solo or as part of an ensemble, but who must be featured, at least briefly, in one or more dance numbers, but not necessarily as a solo. The dance will be evaluated for movement, expression, timing, technique (e.g., leaps, turns, jumps, or pirouettes), and the effectiveness of their integration. Non-dance movements (including gymnastics) may be considered, if part of a dance sequence. A performer’s singing and acting, in dance scenes or elsewhere, are not factors.
    16. Male Dancer. This Award applies the same criteria as Female Dancer.
    17. Female Vocalist. This Award is for a performer in a lead or supporting role who is a principal soloist in at least two songs. A vocalist will be evaluated for tone, pitch, authority, phrasing, characterization, and presentation. The quality of the performer's acting (other than in songs), dancing, and the qualities of the song composition, accompaniment, and sound or other tech work during the performer's vocals, are not factors.
    18. Male Vocalist. This Award applies the same criteria as Female Vocalist.
    19. Comic Actress/Actor in a Play/Musical. A Comic actor or actress encompasses a role “reasonably” intended by the playwright to be comedic and will be evaluated for character, movement, expression, difficulty of role, and timing. The comic performer should hold a significant presence in at least one scene. Any smaller presence, such as, but not limited to, a “one-liner” walk-on role should not be considered adequate for qualification. A role that qualifies for lead or supporting is automatically considered large enough to qualify for comic. Critics should keep in mind that it is more difficult to maintain comedy for multiple acts than for a few moments. Examples would include Leaf Coneybear in Putnam County Spelling Bee, Agatha in The Children’s Hour, and Eulalie Shinn in The Music Man, Eugene in Grease. Examples of characters that would NOT qualify include Giles Corey in The Crucible, Bum in Hairspray, and Grocery Boy in The Children’s Hour. 
    20. Supporting Actress/Actor in a Play/Musical. A Supporting Actress/Actor performs in a supporting, but not lead, role with significant stage time, character presentation, and involvement in the story line. A role that is too large to qualify as Featured will qualify as supporting. In a Musical, a Supporting performer may or may not be a principal soloist in at least one song - or not sing at all. To be eligible Supporting performers must be in grades 9 through 12."  Examples would be the King in "Once Upon a Mattress" and the Wicked Witch of the West in "The Wizard of Oz".
    21. Lead Actress in a Play. This Award is for a lead actress in a leading role, with substantial stage time, character development, and centrality to the story line.
    22. Lead Actor in a Play. This Award applies the same criteria as Lead Actress in a Play.
    23. Lead Actress in a Musical. This Award applies the same criteria as Lead Actress in a Play, except the performer must be a principal vocalist in at least two songs.
    24. Lead Actor in a Musical. This Award applies the same criteria as Lead Actress in a Musical.
    25. Song. This Award is for the best-performed song in a Musical. A song will be evaluated purely on the basis of its presentation by a cast, crew, and orchestra, including voice, dance, acting, staging, sound and other tech work, accompaniment, and any other elements of the song's presentation. The quality of the composition, lyrics, and adaptation (even if student-done), the extent of student participation in the orchestra, and the quality of any other presentation of the same song (earlier or later in the Musical), are not factors. To be eligible, a song must be in a Musical, and must not include any solo lines by an adult. A majority of the performers with solo lines in the song, and a majority of all performers in the song, must be students in grades 9 through 12.
    26. Play. This Award is for the performance as an entirety. To be eligible, a show must contain less than six musical numbers, sung by the performing cast. It will be evaluated as a production, and the quality of the published work (i.e., the work of the playwright) is not a factor. It will be evaluated as a whole, including all on- and off-stage elements. It may not have an adult in any prominent or lead role, and the extent of adult participation in off-stage roles is a factor.
    27. Musical. This Award applies the same criteria as Play, except it includes an evaluation of the musical and dance performance. To be eligible, a show must contain six or more musical numbers sung by the performing cast. Live accompaniment is not required.
  5. A Special Award for Service is determined by the Steering Committee.
  6. In any Program Year, a Steering Committee may give, but is not required to give, one or more of these Awards.
    1. A Special Award for Service may be presented only to students in grades 9 to 12 during the Program Year, for extraordinary work on behalf of high school theater, which may include:
      1. Work on behalf of the Cappies.
      2. Work on behalf of high school theater in the Program area.
    2. To qualify for a Special Award for Service, a Candidate must be:
      1. Recommended by a Member of the Steering Committee.
      2. Approved by not less than two-thirds of the Steering Committee, who must determine that the Candidate's work is an extraordinary achievement, far beyond what one normally sees in student work.
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