Freddy Awards evaluators sought

The State Theatre Center for the Arts, Inc. is seeking qualified volunteer evaluators for the Emmy Award-winning Freddy Awards program, which awards excellence in the production of high school musical theater. The deadline for submitting the application is Sept. 23. Interviews for qualified individuals will be scheduled during October.

Introduced in 2003, the program sends evaluators to review each of the approximately 28 high school musical productions entered throughout Lehigh and Northampton Counties in Pennsylvania, and in Warren County, New Jersey.

Evaluators submit scores and written feedback in a variety of performances and technical categories (i.e. Outstanding Performance by an Actor/Actress in a Leading Role, Outstanding Use of Scenery). Nominations are announced in early May and followed in late May with a ceremony at the State Theatre where nominees perform, and award recipients are announced and presented with a Freddy Award.

Candidates should have extensive work experience in one of the arts disciplines and have a strong sense of objectivity. They must be able to effectively evaluate student performances and production values.

All candidates must be outstanding writers with the ability to effectively communicate their impressions in a constructive manner. Also, a candidate must already be an avid theater-goer and should possess a wide knowledge of the canon of American musical theater. Evaluators must have computer literacy and internet access.

Evaluators are required to attend an orientation meeting in early January and a final evaluator meeting in May.

All candidates must be available and willing to commit to attending at least 16 high school musicals during the course of the program. We highly recommend, for the sake of the process and fairness to schools involved, Evaluators see more than the 16 show minimum to be better prepared for the final voting session. First year evaluators must also attend an evaluator training session in November.

For additional information contact Frank Anonia, Freddy Awards coordinator at fanonia@ statetheatre.org or call 610-258-7766, ext. 223.