The American Prize in Musical Theater Performance, 2012

The American Prize in Musical Theater Performance recognizes and rewards the best performances of musical theater by producing companies, ensembles and schools in America, based on submitted applications. The competition is designed to evaluate productions, not individual singers.

Winning musical theater companies receive cash prizes, award certificates and written evaluations. Finalists receive certificates and written evaluations. Semi-finalists receive certificates. Finalists and winners are announced to local and national arts media and on our website, where winners are also profiled.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE (PDF)
POSTMARK DEADLINE for application(s): Thursday, March 15, 2012.

WHAT WINNERS WIN:
The American Prize is more than monetary. In addition to winners receiving cash prizes up to $500, depending on the year, the category and the number of entrants, all winners and finalists receive award certificates, as well as written, unbiased evaluations from our distinguished national panel of judges. Semi-finalists, finalists and winners are announced to national arts media and on our websites, where winners are profiled. Personalized press releases announcing your selection as a finalist, runner-up or winner are sent by us to local media and other contacts you provide as part of your application. Excerpts of winning performances will be posted to The American Prize channel on YouTube.

To see how previous laureates of The American Prize have used their placement in the competitions to promote their careers, please visit The American Prize Winning Links.

OVERVIEW:
The American Prize in Musical Theater Performance is offered in as many as four categories, based on the membership in the ensemble, and on the number and quality of entries. Applications on behalf of musical theater companies may be made by the conductor or artistic director of the ensemble, its board members or other leaders, such as faculty or administrators, and by the performers themselves. Only one application per ensemble per year may be submitted. Conductors may apply separately for conducting awards (see Conducting Prizes).

The categories are:
    1. professional music theater company (all musicians are paid—volunteer chorus ok)
    2. community musical theater company (some musicians may be paid/some may be students)
    3. college/university musical theater company (mostly students/no paid musicians—except soloists/faculty participation ok)
    4. high school musical theater company (mostly students/no paid musicians—except soloists/faculty participation ok)

The contest is designed to evaluate staged performances of musical theater in which a video recording has been made. Performances of opera or operetta should be submitted in Opera Performance category.

Musical Theater productions will be judged on broad criteria. In addition to the quality of musical performance in solo vocal, ensemble, choral and instrumental areas, weight will be given to staging, direction, acting, set design and execution, costuming, and overall impact of the performance.

APPLICATION:
There is a single application form for The American Prize in Musical Theater Performance. Select the category which best identifies the applicant.
    1. Send the completed application form by the deadline date.
    2. Include two identical recordings of the musical theater company in performance, with the conductor, ensemble and work clearly indicated.
    3. Be sure to sign the form and include the application fee.
    4. Be sure to also email the required information.

The application fee is $65 per organization. Make checks payable to HCMT/The American Prize. Application fees are nonrefundable. No incomplete applications will be accepted.

REQUIREMENTS for the RECORDING:

The American Prize in Musical Theater Performance: not less than thirty minutes of staged, conducted musical theater, which must include at minimum one complete act of a standard musical, performed with the original accompaniment, whether it be orchestra (or reduced orchestra), chamber ensemble or piano. Neither the size, make-up, location or repertoire of any qualified organization limits its eligibility. Excellence within categories is the primary criteria for the selection of finalists and winners. Performers and works must be clearly identified on the disc, cover or video box. There are no other restrictions. We accept DVD or VHS recordings only. No audio tapes or other electronic media. No materials will be returned.

PUBLISHED TIMELINE for this competition:

1. Deadline for postmark of applications: March 15, 2012. The application will be acknowledged by email.
2. Announcement of semi-finalists begins: week of May 14, 2012
3. Announcement of finalists begins: week of June 18, 2012
4. Announcement of winners begins: week of July 30, 2011