The Betty Mitchell Awards

The Betty Mitchell Awards Ground Rules (Last updated 06/01/07)

1. Mission

a) The Betty Mitchell Awards Society recognizes, celebrates and promotes professional theatre artists and organizations of all sizes in Calgary. The core activity through which this is fulfilled is an annual awards program that involves Calgary’s professional theatre community in a democratic nomination and selection process.

2. Background

a) The Calgary Betty Mitchell Professional Theatre Awards Society is formally incorporated under the Societies Act of Alberta and operates as the Betty Mitchell Awards.

b) The Betty Mitchell Awards, named for a pioneer of Calgary's theatrical community, Dr. Betty Mitchell, were established in 1998 to celebrate and honour outstanding achievement in Calgary's professional theatre community.

c) The Betty Mitchell Awards Ceremony is an event that allows the public and the theatre community to recognize the excellent professional theatre that takes place on Calgary's stages throughout the year as well as the artists and companies that create that work.

d) The Betty Mitchell Awards will be a positive influence in the advancement of professional Calgary theatre through promotion and advocacy.

e) The administration of the Betty Mitchell Awards is the responsibility of the Steering Committee.

f) The Betty Mitchell Awards Season runs June 15 to June 14 annually.

g) Changes to the Ground Rules can occur at any point during the season but will become official at the beginning of the following Season. (06/01/07)

h) Changes to the Ground Rules must be given two (2) readings at two (2) different meetings. Changes will be deemed approved at a reading with two thirds (2/3) of majority vote by Steering Committee members. (06/01/07)

3. Production Eligibility

a) The Steering Committee must be informed of all Eligible Productions via an Eligible Production Application. The Eligible Production Application is available online at www.bettymitchellawards.com and must be submitted at least forty-five (45) days prior to the first public performance of the Eligible Production. All Presenting Companies who are members of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatre are automatically deemed eligible for the Betty Mitchell Awards and are not required to complete the Eligible Production Application.

b) Eligible Productions must be professional theatre productions. The Betty Mitchell Awards define a professional theatre production as one in which fifty percent (50%) OR five (5) members - whichever is the lesser - of the creative and production teams (actors, directors, choreographers, stage managers, designers, playwrights) are engaged under a CAEA, ADC, or PGC approved contract.

c) Eligible Productions must be open to the general public and run for at least nine (9) performances over a minimum of two (2) weekends.

d) Productions not eligible under section 3b or 3c of the Ground Rules may fill in the Request for Provision for consideration of factors such as total number of performances, audience size, consistent representation in the community, long standing production history and commitment to employing professional artists. The Request for Provision will be reviewed by the Steering Committee at the next regularly scheduled committee meeting. At that time the Steering Committee will debate the Request. The production will be deemed eligible with two thirds (2/3) of majority a vote by Steering Committee members.

e) Eligible Productions must run in the city of Calgary.

f) For reproductions and remounts of Eligible Productions, only previously un-nominated or new elements will be deemed eligible for nomination. It is the Steering Committee's responsibility to make known to the Nominating Committee any previously nominated elements in a reproduction or remount.

g) Presenting Companies agree to provide two (2) complimentary tickets to each Eligible Production for each Nominating Committee member.

h) Presenting Companies agree to provide a single contact at their company to be a Liaison to the Betty Mitchell Awards (usually a publicist) and agree to distribute Betty Mitchell Awards information to staff and artists as needed.

i) Presenting Companies are encouraged, but not required, to add Steering Committee members to their community night, industry night or opening night invitation list to each Eligible Production.

4. Award Categories

a) Outstanding Production of a Play - All Eligible Productions may be considered for this award, including productions of new plays and productions brought in from out of town. Presenting Companies must choose whether Eligible Productions are to be considered for Outstanding Production of a Play or Outstanding Production of a Musical. The Steering Committee may deem musicals eligible for this award in a Season when there are not enough musicals for a separate Outstanding Production of a Musical category.

b) Outstanding Production of a Musical - This category is for musical theatre, opera, operetta, revue-type musicals and cabaret style musicals. Presenting Companies must choose whether Eligible Productions are to be considered for Outstanding Production of a Play or Outstanding Production of a Musical. The Steering Committee may transfer musicals to the Outstanding Production of a Play category in a Season when there are not enough musicals for a separate Outstanding Production of a Musical category.

c) Outstanding New Play - This award is awarded to the playwright of a new play or musical that premieres in Calgary. This means no full production anywhere else can have occurred prior. If the play was workshopped elsewhere or performed in an incomplete form or without an admission charge (as in a workshop production) it is still deemed eligible in this category.

d) Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama - All female leading performances in any dramatic play are eligible. Nominating Committee members will decide whether an actress is playing a lead or supporting role in the dramatic play. (06/01/07)

e) Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama - All male leading performances in any dramatic play are eligible. Nominating Committee members will decide whether an actor is playing a lead or supporting role in the dramatic play. (06/01/07)

f) Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Comedy or Musical - All female leading performances in any comedic play or musical are eligible. Nominating Committee members will decide whether an actress is playing a lead or supporting role in the comedic play or musical. (06/01/07)

g) Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Comedy or Musical - All male leading performances in any comedic play or musical are eligible. Nominating Committee members will decide whether an actor is playing a lead or supporting role in the comedic play or musical. (06/01/07)

h) Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - All female supporting performances in any comedic or dramatic play or musical are eligible. Nominating Committee members will decide whether an actress is playing a lead or supporting role. (06/01/07)

i) Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - All male supporting performances in any comedic or dramatic play or musical are eligible. Nominating Committee members will decide whether an actor is playing a lead or supporting role. (06/01/07)

j) Outstanding Direction - All directors from any play or musical production are eligible. In the event a production has more than one director they are eligible as a group.

k) Outstanding Set Design - The set designer is in charge of all scenic elements onstage in a play or musical. All set designers from any play or musical production are eligible. In the event a production has more than one set designer they are eligible as a group.

l) Outstanding Lighting Design - The lighting designer is in charge of all lighting elements visible onstage in a play or musical. All lighting designers from any play or musical production are eligible. In the event a production has more than one lighting designer they are eligible as a group.

m) Outstanding Costume Design - The costume designer is in charge of all clothing worn by the actors onstage in a play or musical. All costume designers from any play or musical production are eligible. In the event a production has more than one costume designer they are eligible as a group.

n) Outstanding Sound Design or Composition - The composers of completely original music of a play or musical production, and the designers or composers of entirely compiled or original (or any combination thereof) underscores or soundscapes of a play or musical production are eligible. In the event a production has more than one sound designer or more than one composer they are eligible as a group. In the event a production has both a sound designer and a composer, Nominating Committee members will decide whether they are eligible separately and independently or as a group.

o) Outstanding Musical Direction - A musical director is in charge of any live music played or sung onstage in a play or a musical. All musical directors from any play or musical production are eligible. In the event a production has more than one musical director they are eligible as a group.

p) Outstanding Choreography or Fight Direction - A choreographer is in charge of all dance movement onstage in a play or musical. A fight director is in charge of all choreographed fight movements in a play or musical. All choreography or fight direction from any play or musical production are eligible. In the event a production has more than one choreographer or more than one fight director they are eligible as a group. In the event a production has both a choreographer and a fight director they are eligible separately and independently.

5. Special Award Categories

a) Special Award Categories honour outstanding achievements outside the Award Categories listed in section 4. Some examples outside the prescribed categories might be Outstanding Ensemble, Puppetry, Mime, or anything else the Nominating Committee thinks is worthy of recognizing. (06/01/07)

b) Special Award Categories are implemented upon recommendation of the Nominating Committee in sufficient numbers. The Steering Committee will make the final decision regarding the presentation of Special Awards.

c) The nomination and recipient selection process of Special Awards must follow the Betty Mitchell Award Ground Rules.

6. Nominating Committee

a) The Nominating Committee attends Eligible Productions and selects the five (5) nominees and one (1) Award Recipient in each of the Award Categories. (See section 8 (Nomination Ballot Tabulation) and section 9 (Final Ballot Tabulation) of the Ground Rules for more information about the nomination and recipient selection processes.) (06/01/07)

b) The Steering Committee will select the twelve (12) members of the Nominating Committee from the theatre community with input and advice from the Presenting Companies and the theatre community as a whole. The Nominating Committee is chosen to reflect a balance of different disciplines, ages, experience and genders.

c) Members of the theatre community may voice their interest in joining the Nominating Committee at any time to any member of the Steering Committee.

d) Nominating Committee members cannot serve two (2) consecutive seasons on the Nominating Committee.

e) Nominating Committee members are volunteers from the theatre community and will receive no compensation for their work.

f) The Steering Committee will attempt to ensure that the Nominating Committee remains as anonymous as possible. Their names will be provided to the Presenting Companies' box offices for the purposes of booking tickets to Eligible Productions and to other members of the Nominating Committee. Pursuant to provincial and federal privacy and information protection legislation, their names and contact details will be provided to no one else unless deemed necessary by the Steering Committee. Nominating Committee members are asked not to reveal their participation in the committee to other members of the theatre community until the end of the Season.

g) Nominating Committee members are instructed to attend as many Eligible Productions as possible. Nominating Committee members must see seventy-five percent (75%) of the Eligible Productions for their Ballot to be counted.

7. De Facto Nominating Committee Members

a) The Steering Committee will annually produce a Passport which members of the public may use as proof for consideration as de facto Nominating Committee members. (06/01/07)

b) Passports will be available to the public throughout the season at Vertigo Theatre. (06/01/07)

c) Stamps to officially mark attendee’s Passports will be made available to Presenting Companies’ box offices. Presenting Companies’ box offices will use the provided stamp to mark all attendee’s Passports when presented. (06/01/07)

d) At the conclusion of the Season members of the public whose Passports show they have attended seventy-five percent (75%) of Eligible Productions may submit their Passports to the Bettys accounting firm by June 30. (06/01/07)

e) Members of the public submitting valid Passports shall be considered de facto Nominating Committee members and thus given the same Final Ballot and rights as Nominating Committee members during the Final Ballot Tabulation process as outlined in section 9 of the Ground Rules (Final Ballot Tabulation). (06/01/07)

8. Nomination Ballot Tabulation

a) The Nominating Committee casts anonymous ballots provided by the Steering Committee upon the conclusion of the Season. They vote using a four point weighted scale in each category. Their first choice receives four (4) points, second choice receives three (3) points, third choice receives two (2) points, and their fourth choice receives one (1) point.

b) No individual may be nominated twice in the same Award Category.

c) Nominating Committee ballots are tabulated by an independent accounting firm, with the Steering Committee members as scrutinizers and remain completely secret. The resulting Betty Mitchell Award nominations also remain secret until the Final Ballot is revealed at a press conference at the end of the Season. The Nominating Committee ballots and tabulation forms remain sealed with the accountant until after the Awards Ceremony, at which time they are destroyed.

d) In the event a Steering Committee member is also a Nominating Committee member, they may not serve as a Nomination Ballot scrutinizer.

e) After the Nomination Ballots are tabulated the top five (5) nominees with the most points, in each Award Category, will comprise the Final Ballot.

f) There are to be a maximum of five (5) nominees in each Award Category on the Final Ballot except in the case of an unbreakable tie, and a minimum of three (3) nominees in order for a category to appear on the Final Ballot.

g) Ties for the fifth place on the Final Ballot are broken as follows: The nominee receiving points from the most Nominating Committee members always receives the nomination. For example, if one nominee receives one 4 and another receives 1s from four separate Nominating Committee members (totaling 4 points), the latter receives the nomination because more Nominating Committee members supported it. If two nominees receive an identical number of points from an identical number of Nominating Committee members, the nominee that received the most 4s breaks the tie. If the two nominees receive an identical number of 4s, the tie is broken by the one receiving the most 3s, and so on. If everything is identical, the tie is unbreakable and all nominees tied for fifth place appear on the Final Ballot.

h) All points are transferable within a single Award Category for nominees receiving points for more than one Eligible Production. For instance: If an actor receives points in the Supporting Actor category for three different performances, all his points apply towards a potential nomination. If there are then enough points for a nomination, he will be nominated only for the performance for which he received the most points. This will prevent an outstanding achievement remaining un-nominating because of a vote split over a body of work. If there is a tie, it is broken as per section 8f of the Ground Rules.

i) If a performer receives votes from Nominating Committee members for the same performance in the Lead, Supporting and/or Performance in a Musical categories, they are eligible in the category where they received the most points. If there is a tie, it is broken as per section 8f of the Ground Rules.

j) All points are transferable between Award Categories for nominees receiving points for the same performance in the Lead, Supporting and/or Performance in a Musical categories. For instance: If an actress receives points in both the Lead and Supporting categories, and receives more points in the Lead category, she is then eligible for Actress in a Lead Role. In tabulating however, the points she receives in the Supporting category will be added to the points she receives in the Lead category. This will prevent an outstanding achievement remaining un-nominated because of a vote split. If there is a tie, it is broken as per section 8f of the Ground Rules.

9. Final Ballot Tabulation

a) Once the Final Ballot nominees are selected the Nominating Committee casts anonymous ballots provided by the Steering Committee.

b) Nominating Committee members are asked to select one (1) Award Recipient in each of the Award Categories. The nominee receiving the most selections is declared the Award Recipient. If there is a tie, all tied achievements shall receive an Award. (06/01/07)

c) Final Ballots are tabulated by an independent accounting firm and remain completely secret. The resulting Award Recipients also remain secret until they are revealed at the Awards Ceremony. Nominating Committee ballots and tabulation forms remain sealed with the accountant until after the Awards Ceremony, at which time they are destroyed.

10. Greg Bond Memorial Award

a) The Award honours the outstanding achievement by an individual - either for this season or for accumulated dedication or achievement - in musical theatre. Recipients will have shown a sustained and significant contribution to musical theatre in Calgary, have demonstrated respect for all individuals involved in the production of a musical, and demonstrate a commitment to their ongoing professional development as an artist.

b) The Recipient is selected by a special Jury.

c) The Jury is selected by the Steering Committee and is comprised of five (5) members and one (1) non-voting Chair.

d) The Jury will consist of past recipients of the Award, members of the theatre community with a background in musical theatre, and one member of the Steering Committee.

e) The Steering Committee will send out a Call for Nominations before the end of each Season.

f) Nominations for the Award will only be accepted by the Chair of the Jury, and only after the Call for Nominations has been sent and before the deadline for Nominations.

g) Nomination forms will be available from the Chair of the Jury and online at www.bettymitchellawards.com. h) Nominations may be submitted by the theatre community including members of the Jury, Nominating Committee, or Steering Committee.

i) The deadline for Nominations will be June 30 of each year. j) The Chair of the Jury will call a meeting of the Jury, to select a Recipient from all nominations in July of each year.

k) The Recipient selected by the Jury must be approved by the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will make every effort to approve the Recipient and will not recall the Jury to select another Recipient without due reason for refusal of the original Recipient selection.

l) Upon approval of the Recipient, the Steering Committee will inform the Recipient in advance of the Awards Ceremony. The Recipient will be announced at the Awards Ceremony.

11. Dean Ott/Debbie Boult Award

a) The Award honours the outstanding achievement by an individual - either for this season or for accumulated dedication or achievement - in production or technical elements of theatre such as stage managers, running crew, electricians, carpenters, props builders, et cetera. Recipients will have shown a sustained and significant contribution to production or technical elements of theatre in Calgary.

b) The Award Recipient is selected by a special Jury.

c) The Jury is selected by the Steering Committee and is comprised of five (5) members and one (1) non-voting Chair.

d) The Jury will consist of past recipients of the Award and members of the theatre community with a background in production or technical theatre and one member of the Steering Committee.

e) The Steering Committee will send out a Call for Nominations before the end of each Season.

f) Nominations for the Award will only be accepted by the Chair of the Jury, and only after the Call for Nominations has been sent and before the deadline for Nominations.

g) Nomination forms will be available from the Chair of the Jury and online at www.bettymitchellawards.com.

h) Nominations may be submitted by the theatre community including members of the Jury, Nominating Committee, or Steering Committee.

i) The deadline for Nominations will be June 30 of each year.

j) The Chair of the Jury will call a meeting of the Jury, to select a Recipient from all nominations in July of each year.

l) Upon approval of the Recipient, the Steering Committee will inform the Recipient in advance of the Awards Ceremony. The Recipient will be announced at the Awards Ceremony.

12. Betty Mitchell Outstanding Achievement Award

a) The Award honours the outstanding achievement by an individual or group - either for this season or for accumulated dedication or achievement - to Calgary’s theatre community. Eligible recipients will have shown a significant contribution to theatre in Calgary. There is no limitation to whom this Award may be presented.

b) The Award Recipient is selected by the Steering Committee.

c) The Steering Committee will send out a Call for Nominations before the end of each Season.

e) Nominations for the Award will only be accepted by the Chair of the Steering Committee, and only after the Call for Nominations has been sent and before the deadline for Nominations.

d) Nomination forms will be available from the Chair of the Steering Committee and online at www.bettymitchellawards.com.

e) Nominations may be submitted by the theatre community including members of the Jury, Nominating Committee, or Steering Committee.

f) The deadline for Nominations will be June 30 of each year.

g) The Chair of the Steering Committee will call a meeting of the Steering Committee, to select a recipient from all Nominations in July of each year.

h) Upon selection of the Recipient, the Steering Committee will inform the Recipient in advance of the Awards Ceremony. The Recipient will be announced at the Awards Ceremony.

13. Steering Committee and Questions or Comments

a) The Steering Committee oversees all operations and administration of the Betty Mitchell Awards and the Calgary Betty Mitchell Professional Theatre Awards Society.

b) The Steering Committee is governed by the Society Act of Alberta.

c) Steering Committee members are volunteers from the theatre community and will receive no compensation for their work.

d) The Steering Committee will meet, on average, once a month - unless other wise decided by its members - to discuss the operations and administration of the Betty Mitchell Awards.

e) Steering Committee members are chosen to reflect a balance of different disciplines, ages, experience and genders. Skill sets of potential members are also taken in to heavy consideration.

f) The Steering Committee is charged with replenishing its retiring members with new members who can serve to fill vacated duties of the Committee. Nine members has been deemed the optimal number of Steering Committee members.

g) Members of the theatre community may voice their interest in joining the Steering Committee at any time to any member of the Steering Committee.

h) New Steering Committee members may be voted onto the Steering Committee with two thirds (2/3) of majority a vote by the current Steering Committee members.

i) Questions or comments about any aspect of the Betty Mitchell Awards can be emailed to info@bettymitchellawards.com or poised directly to any Steering Committee member. Questions and comments should be directed to the Steering Committee member who can best answer the question or to the Chair of the Steering Committee.

j) All media inquires should be directed to the Steering Committee’s Communications Officer or Chair. The Chair of the Steering Committee or their appointed representative is the official spokesperson of the Betty Mitchell Awards.

k) Information about past recipients, the Ground Rules of the Betty Mitchell Awards, and all applications or nomination packages can be found online at the Betty Mitchell Awards website at www.bettymitchellawards.com.

l) The 2007 Betty Mitchell Awards Steering Committee is:

Kristen Dion (Treasurer)
Marcie Januska (Chair)
Karen Johnson-Diamond (Secretary)
D.J. Kelly (Past Chair)
Jamie Konchak (Vice Chair)
Rachel Parris
Mike Patton
JoAnn Reynolds
Trevor Rueger (Producer)
Adrienne Smook
Amy Widdowson