Each production is evaluated against itself for consideration, rather than against all other school productions, thus encouraging schools to create the best possible work for their unique circumstances and environment.
Awards will be assigned for each category to a top percentage of all submitted productions. Awards of Merit and Awards of Outstanding for high school musical theatre and play productions, as well as student performances, are based on adjudication scores and recommendations.
Participants will be notified of their nomination when the contact teacher receives the adjudication feedback for a particular production. Winners will be chosen from the nominated students.
In addition to the core adjudicated awards, the Miami Valley High School Theatre Awards features Special Recognition Awards. These awards offer theatre directors an opportunity to nominate students for Merit and Outstanding in specific categories. Theatre directors will be able to nominate students for these awards on the performance detail forms completed closer to the date of the production.
Awarded to a featured student dancer displaying excellent dance technique and execution in a nominated play or musical. Students nominated should be obviously and specifically featured within the scene/number nominated.
Awarded to a student choreographer of a nominated scene/number or entire play/musical for overall excellence in choreography and the execution of that choreography. Students nominated should be solely responsible for executed choreography, physical spacing throughout the number, stylization of movement/choreography, and overall pacing of the scene/number within the entire show. Click here for a PDF of the complete submission requirements for Outstanding Student Choreographer.
Awarded to a student designer of a nominated scene/number or entire play/musical for overall excellence in costume design and the execution of that design. Students nominated should be solely responsible for proper use of line, texture, and color, used makeup and/or hair/wigs that contributed to characterization, and defining the period of the scene/number nominated. Click here for a PDF of the complete submission requirements for Outstanding Student Costume Design.
Awarded to a student director of a nominated scene/number or play/musical for overall excellence in vision and the execution of that vision. Students nominated should be solely responsible for planned stage pictures, use of the entire space, and overall pacing of the scene/number within the entire show. Click here for a PDF of the complete submission requirements for Outstanding Student Director.
Awarded to a student designer of a nominated scene/number or entire play/musical for overall excellence in lighting design and the execution of that design. Students nominated should be solely responsible for using lighting to move attention of the audience to the action in the scene and overall visibility of the scene/number nominated. Click here for a PDF of the complete submission requirements for Outstanding Student Lighting Design.
Awarded to a student designer of a nominated scene/number or entire play/musical for overall excellence in makeup design and the execution of that design. Students nominated should be solely responsible for used makeup techniques including but not limited to blending, color, aging, and special effects, and overall contributed characterization that makeup contributes within the scene/number nominated.Click here for a PDF of the complete submission requirements for Outstanding Student Makeup Design.
Awarded to a student musical director of a nominated scene/number or entire play/musical for overall excellence in musical direction and the execution of that direction. Students nominated should be solely responsible for musical expression and dynamics of characters, shaping character specificity, and incorporating healthy posture for actors within the scene/number nominated. Click here for a PDF of the complete submission requirements for Outstanding Student Music Director.
Awarded to a student orchestra (in entirety) of a nominated scene/number or entire play/musical for overall excellence in performance and technique. Students nominated should be clearly identified and consistently participating as the orchestra of the scene/number nominated.
Awarded to a student designer of a nominated scene/number or entire play/musical for overall excellence in prop design and the execution of that design. Students nominated should be solely responsible for practicality of props used, consistency of prop design, and the selection and/or building of all props used within the scene/number nominated. Click here for a PDF of the complete submission requirements for Outstanding Student Prop Design.
Awarded to a student designer of a nominated scene/number or entire play/musical for overall excellence in set design and the execution of that design. Students nominated should be solely responsible for providing a logical and suitable setting for the action, use of color, style, and layout that created an attractive/effective environment, and overall pacing of the scene/number nominated. Click here for a PDF of the complete submission requirements for Outstanding Student Set Design.
Awarded to a student designer of a scene/number or entire play/musical for overall excellence in sound design and the execution of that design. Students nominated should be solely responsible for use of effective sound effects, created mood/tone through recorded sound or music, and established transitions before and/or after the scene/number nominated. Click here for a PDF of the complete submission requirements for Outstanding Student Sound Design.
Awarded to a student stage manager of a nominated play or musical for overall excellence in stage management. Nominees are required to submit a small, electronically scanned portion of a prompt book for consideration. Click here for a PDF of the complete submission requirements for Outstanding Student Stage Management.
Awarded to a theatre director of a participating MVHSTA high school who, through work with their students, embodies the highest qualities of excellence in high school theatre. This nomination must be made by a member of the community. Click here for a PDF of the complete submission requirements for Theatre Program Director of the Year.
Photos: 2023 MVHSTA Showcase photos courtesy Tom Gilliam, Contributing Photographer, dayton.com