The Betty Mitchell Awards, named for a pioneer of Calgary's theatrical community, Dr. Betty Mitchell, were started in 1998 to celebrate and honour outstanding achievement in Calgary's professional theatre community. The Betty Mitchell Awards provide the opportunity to recognize the excellent work that takes place on our stages in Calgary throughout the year.

The 2007/2008 professional theatre season (June 15, 2007 - June 14, 2008) brought to the stage 62 shows eligible for Betty Mitchell Award nominations. The Betty Mitchell Awards Nominating Committee is an anonymous jury of 12 theatre professionals, from a range of disciplines, who select nominees in 16 award categories from the eligible shows. To be eligible the shows must run in the City of Calgary for at least nine performances over two weekends, and the shows must be professional in nature. Our accountant, R.W. (Bob) Quinlan, tabulates the input of the Nominating Committee and produces a list of nominees.

The final ballots are then distributed to the Nomination Committee, and to anyone (actors, directors, designers, crew, administration, audience members, etc.) who has seen 75% of the eligible productions. Ballots are mailed to these people as requested after providing proof (by way of submitting a Betty Mitchell Awards Passport) indicating the bearer has seen 75% of the eligible productions. The ballots are then tabulated by our accountant and are announced at the Betty Mitchell Awards ceremony.

For a complete listing of all the Ground Rules for how the Betty Mitchell Awards work please CLICK HERE.

There are also three adjudicated awards that are presented separately from the 16-balloted awards. The Greg Bond Memorial Award is presented to an individual who has made an Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre in Calgary. The Dean Ott / Debbie Boult Award honours Outstanding Achievement in Technical Production. In recognition of a unique contribution to the theatre community, the Betty Mitchell Outstanding Achievement Award is also presented.

The Bettys' media sponsor, Fast Forward Weekly, also presents the Fast Forward Weekly Readers' Choice Award each year.

Celebrating the past season on the eve of the new, the 2008 Betty Mitchell Awards will beheld on Monday, August 25, 2008. The gala ceremony is always great fun and this year was no exception.

The 2007 Bettys marked the 10th anniversary of the Awards, ten strong years of recognizing excellence in Calgary's professional theatres. The united front the Bettys represents continues to encourage audience growth as it raises the profile of live performance in our city.