Time to Send in Your Passports!

Betty Mitchell Awards Passports are due by June 30th.

Members of the community who have seen 25 or more eligible theatre productions, and have their passports stamped, are in encouraged to mail in their passports NO LATER THAN JUNE 30TH.

Passports should be mailed to:

Betty Mitchell Awards

c/o R.W. Quinlan

#209, 6131 - 6th Street S.E.

Calgary, AB  T2H 1L9

Please be sure to include your name, mailing address, and phone number with your passport.  Ballots will be mailed out to all community members who have submitted passports containing 25 or more stamps.

Please direct any questions about the passport process to Karen Johnson-Diamond at kjdc@shaw.ca

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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.

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For media information or to request interviews, please contact:
Tammy Roberts, Publicity Liaison
Betty Mitchell Awards Steering Committee
P: 403.681.1190 E-mail: tammy.roberts@gmail.com

2009 Nominations Announcement

Nominations for the 2009 Betty Mitchell Awards will be announced at The Auburn Saloon (115, 9th Ave. S.E.—at the base of the Calgary Tower) on Wednesday, July 22nd at 11 a.m. by 2008 recipients for Outstanding Actor in a Drama and Outstanding Actress in a Drama, Curt McKinstry and Shawna Burnett.  McKinstry and Burnett will also announce the new venue for this year’s Awards Ceremony, and the brand new Betty Mitchell Awards website.

Members of the Calgary theatre community, friends, patrons, and the media are all invited to attend the Nomination Announcement.  The complete list of nominees can be accessed at www.bettymitchellawards.com following the announcement.

Now in their 12th year, The Betty Mitchell awards are an important part of Calgary’s professional theatre community.  These awards not only recognize the continued level of excellence in our theatres but also raise the profile of live performance in our city and encourage audience growth.

The 2008/2009 professional theatre season (June 15th, 2008–June 14th, 2009) brought to the stage 56 shows eligible for Betty Mitchell Award nominations.  To be eligible the shows must run in the City of Calgary for at lease nine performances over two weekends, and the shows must be professional in nature.  The professional nature of a show is defined by whether or not members of the creative team are working under a Canadian Actors’ Equity Association contract.**  Our accountant, Bob Quinlan, tabulates the input of the Nominating Committee and produces a list of nominees.

The final ballots are then distributed to the same 12-member Nominating Committee, and to anyone (actors, directors, designers, crew, administration, audience members, etc.) who has seen 25 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 25 of the eligible productions.

Ticket details will be included in the 2009 Nominations Announcement on July 22nd, 2009 and tickets will be available for purchase the following day.  Ticket information can also be accessed at www.bettymitchellawards.com following the announcement.

For general information, visit the website or email info@bettymitchellawards.com.

** 5 or 50% of the creative team is working under a CAEA or design contract.

2009-2010 Theatre Season

The 2009-2010 Theatre season begins June 15th - get us your show info asap - Click here for the rules regarding eligibility.

Dean Ott/Debbie Boult Award

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The Dean Ott/Debbie Boult Award (Honouring Outstanding Achievement in Technical Production)

This annual award has been created to honour a member of Calgary’s theatre community who has made a major contribution or significant achievement in the area of technical production in Calgary.  This award is given in recognition of Dean Ott and Debbie Boult.  Throughout their lives, Dean and Debbie continually strove for excellence and were regarded as a benchmark for professionalism.  The recipient of this award will reflect Dean and Debbie’s passion for their craft.

Criteria for nomination:

• Must be a Calgary resident who has continuously striven for excellence in his/her craft;
• Will have the qualities of professionalism, cooperation, self-discipline and strong work ethic;
• May be awarded for an outstanding season of work, individual achievement, or a sustained contribution to the community;
• Areas of specialization may include, but are not restricted to: stage management, stage carpentry, production management, running crew, wardrobe, lighting or sound technician.

The nominator will elaborate on the manner in which the candidate meets the above criteria.  Additional letters of testimony will be accepted to a maximum submission of ten pages total.

The recipient will be chosen from among the nominees by a jury consisting of past recipients, plus other industry professionals, as selected by the Betty Mitchell Awards Steering Committee.  The successful nominee will be recognized at the Betty Mitchell Awards, August 24, 2009, which celebrate Calgary’s professional theatre community.

Previous recipients have included: Colin McCracken (stage manager), Monty Schneider (production manager), Dianne Goodman (production stage manager), Brad & Ellen Leavitt (technicians/stage managers), Lance Olsen (technician/stage carpenter), Tracey Hooper (dresser/wardrobe head), Darcy Foggo (assistant stage manager), Ian Wilson (production manager/stage carpenter), Brian Beaulieu (production manager), Terri Gillis (production stage manager), and Wes Jenkins (production/facility).

Previous nominees who have not received the award may be resubmitted.

Deadline for application: June 30, 2009.

Please mail to:

Betty Mitchell Awards
Re: Dean Ott/Debbie Boult Award
PO Box 924 Station T
Calgary, AB  T2H 2H4

For more information, or to submit a nominee, please contact the Chair of the Jury, Trevor Rueger at 403.862.8953 or trueger@telusplanet.net.

Greg Bond Memorial Award

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The Greg Bond Memorial Award (Honouring Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre in Calgary)

This annual award is intended to honour the outstanding achievement by an individual - either for this season or for accumulated dedication or achievement - in musical theatre in Calgary.

The award is made possible through the Toronto Community Foundation, and is presented by the Bond Family in memory of their son, Greg (1954 - 1989).  Greg studied and worked in musical theatre across Canada, from Banff to Charlottetown as well as in Australia.  His life was marked by a drive for professionalism, a talent for composition, and a desire to continually study, create and perform.  He will be remembered for his positive attitude and his remarkable ability to give and engender respect from everyone whom his life touched.

Criteria for nomination:

• Must be a Calgary resident who has continuously striven for exellence in his/her craft;
• Will have contributed to the profile of musical theatre in Calgary;
• Will have the qualities of: cooperation, self-discipline and work ethic;
• Areas of specialization may include, but are not restricted to: performance, musical direction, education, choreography, composition, instrumentalist;
• Is a professional in his/her field, and viewed as such by his/her peers.

The nominator will elaborate on the manner in which the candidate meets the above criteria.  Additional letters of testimony will be accepted to a maximum submission of ten pages total.

The recipient will be chosen by a jury consisting of past recipients plus other industry professionals, as selected by the Betty Mitchell Steering Committee.  The succesful nominee will receive a $1000 cash award and be recognized at the Betty Mitchell Awards, August 24, 2009, which celebrate Calgary’s professional theatre community.

Previous recipients have included: Tom Doyle, Margot McDermott, Bob Foster, Marilyn Perkins, Stage West Calgary, Hal Kerbes, Joe Slabe, Elaine Higgin Case, Mark Bellamy, David Rhymer and Denise Clarke.

Previous nominees who have not received the award may be resubmitted.

Deadline for application: June 30, 2009.

Please mail to:

Betty Mitchell Awards
Re: Greg Bond Memorial Award
PO Box 924 Station T
Calgary, AB  T2H 2H4

or by email to: kathikerbes@shaw.ca

For more information please contact the Chair of the Jury, Kathryn Kerbes at kathikerbes@shaw.ca.

Duval Lang Theatre for Young Audiences Award

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

**NEW AWARD**

Duval Lang Theatre for Young Audiences Award

This annual award has been created to honour an individual or group of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution or significant achievement in the field of Theatre for Young Audiences in Calgary.

This award is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Quest Theatre and the Betty Mitchell Awards and is supported by a fund established in 2008 at the Calgary Foundation by a group of generous donors in recognition of Duval Lang.

Duval Lang is the founding Artistic Director of Quest Theatre and has spent 25 years making theatre accesible, meaningful and enjoyable to young audiences.

Along the way he has nurtured many emerging artists who have been inspired by his influence.  Duval’s dedication to his craft has, and will continue to have, a significant impact in the field of Theatre for Young Audiences.

Criteria for nomination:

• May be an individual or a group of individuals (but not an organization);
• Must be a Calgary resident who has continuously striven for excellence in his/her craft;
• Has demonstrated excellence in the field of Theatre for Young Audiences;
• May be awarded for an outstanding season of work, individual achievement, or a sustained contribution to the community.

The nominator will elaborate on the manner in which the candidate meets the above criteria.  Additional letters of testimony will be accepted to a maximum submission of ten pages total.

The recipient will be chosen by a jury consisting of past recipients (in future years) plus other industry professionals, as selected by Quest Theatre and the Betty Mitchell Awards Steering Committee.  The succesful nominee will receive a $2000 cash award and be recognized at the Betty Mitchell Awards, August 24, 2009, which celebrate Calgary’s professional theatre community.

All submissions will be kept on file for one year.

Deadline for application: June 30, 2009.

Please mail to:

Betty Mitchell Awards
Re: Duval Lang Theatre for Young Audiences Award
PO Box 924 Station T
Calgary, AB  T2H 2H4

or by email to: info@bettymitchellawards.com

For more information please contact the Chair of the Jury, Jamie Konchak via email jamiekonchak@gmail.com.

Nomination Press Conference

More details, including venue and ticket information, will be released during the annual Betty Mitchell Awards Press Conference on Wednesday, July 22nd at 11 am in the Auburn Saloon (#163, 115–9th Avenue S.E.—at the base of the Calgary Tower).

Looking for Volunteers

Betty Mitchell Awards:
Call for New Steering Committee Members
The Betty Mitchell Awards Steering Committee is seeking enthusiastic and energetic individuals to serve as members on the Committee.  Each Committee Member will have one primary focus, while also sitting on the Steering Committee in a general capacity.  The Betty Mitchell Awards Steering Committee is a volunteer committee.  If you are an active member of Calgary’s vibrant theatre community and you have skills in one of these areas, you might be just who we are looking for!

We are looking for up to four individuals to serve in the following areas:

1. Sponsorship
General Responsibilities: Set sponsorship opportunities and levels, negotiate new and returning sponsorships, invoicing, on-going sponsor communications.

2. Décor and Volunteer Coordination
General Responsibilities: Design décor with Producer, send call for volunteers with Publicist, implement design with volunteers.

3. Design of Slide Show Presentation and Program
General Responsibilities: Requests to theatres for photos, design of slide show, design of event program, ad sales for event program, proofing, ensuring sponsor recognition needs are met in both slide show and event program.

4. After-Party and Award Coordination
General Responsibilities: Liaise with awards designer, transportation of awards, preparation and distribution of nominee certificates, book after-party venue, organize menu and entertainment, oversee party on the night.

Time Commitment: One meeting a month during most of the year, and up to three meetings a month in the summer.  Additional time spent working independently between meetings varies and is dependent on Member’s area of focus.

Interested in getting involved? If you would like to get involved or require more information, please contact Marcie Januska (Chair, Betty Mitchell Steering Committee) via email: mjanuska@hotmail.com.

Get a passport. See 25 Shows. Get a vote.

Be sure to check the (eligible show list) to see if you are on your way to seeing 25 eligible shows this season. If you think you will get there and you want a ballot for the Betty Mitchell Awards this year, let us know.

Send an email to info@bettymitchellawards.com and we will make sure you get a passport.

Changes to Voting System

Betty Mitchell Steering Committee announces changes to Passport System and voting procedures.

Only 25 shows required to receive a ballot.

Calgary, AB – The Steering Committee of the Betty Mitchell Awards has announced changes to the voting procedures effectively immediately for the 2008/2009 theatre season.

“Calgary’s theatre community, and audience base has grown and changed a lot over the past 12 years,” says Marcie Januska, Chair of the Betty Mitchell Steering Committee, “and as a committee it is our job to proactively ensure that the Bettys change and grow along with the community.”

“The changes we are implementing this season are exciting,” continues Januska, “After introducing a Passport system two years ago in a move to broaden the base of voters, the committee discovered that a number of people have each year been just short of meeting the eligibility requirements to receive a ballot. This change
to 25 performances will assist to increase the base of voters and subsequently ensure the integrity of the awards is preserved.”

The annual awards show will celebrate its 12th year this season recognizing outstanding achievement in the professional theatre community. Over those years the procedures for voting have evolved with the community in a precise effort to maintain and heighten the integrity of the awards.

Other voting changes that will also assist in broadening the base of voters to be implemented in the coming seasons are as follows:
• Ballots will be sent to Calgary residents who received a Betty Mitchell Award in the previous year.
• Increasing the number of people on the nominating committee.

These voting changes do not effect the nomination or the final voting process. Nominating committee members are still required to see at least 75% of the eligible productions every year. The nominating committee members will still be the only people creating the ballot, as has been the case since the very first Betty Mitchell Awards 11 years ago. The Steering committee will continue to ask every ballot recipient to vote only if they have seen
4 of the 5 nominated shows in a category. Seeing 25 shows a year gives the public a significant chance to be able to vote in most categories.

Passports are available and can be stamped at all eligible theatre company box offices. A list of eligible productions for the coming season is available at www.bettymitchellawards.com. Passports can also be requested by emailing info@bettymitchellawards.com for more information.

The Betty Mitchell Awards are a significant annual event for Calgary’s professional theatre community. These awards recognize the continued level of excellence in our theatres, raise the profile of live performance in our city and encourage audience growth.

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