The annual Basie Awards is just around the corner and will be holding its annual ceremony on May 24. There are several different categories when it comes to the Basies, each of which need to meet a certain standard of excellence in order to be nominated.

Before receiving or even being considered for a Basie nomination, the director will be sent an evaluation for any possible categories being critiqued for the award. From there, the evaluators will assess the production and rate it from either very poor to superior or outstanding. The technical categories include: direction, set/scenic design, costume design, and lighting design.

The performance category include the actors as a group, as well as their individual performances. The direction categories are assessed by the effective communication of themes and story, the staging and blocking of the scenes, the unity of all of the production’s element, and if and how the resources and backgrounds are used in the show. The set and scenic design category is evaluated on the mood created that sets the show, if a setting of time has been established, the appropriate size and proportion, the maintaining of location, and if the overall construction and design is presented well.

The category of costume design is judged the similar conditions of the set design category, but it specifically focuses on the costumes’ effect on the actors. Specifically, if the actors are able to properly function and perform to their best ability in the costume and if the costume adds to the narrative and setting.

With lighting design, evaluators focus on the visibility of the production,  the mood created that sets the show, if a setting of time has been established, its attraction to the audience, and the execution and timing of the light and its cues.

Lastly, the acting category, the actors and their performances are critiqued on their interpretation of their given character(s), diction and dialogue, their stage movements and blocking, their stage presence and dynamic, and their chemistry with other performers.
With the evaluation process being quite lengthy, this year’s nominations will be revealed on May 8. Best of luck to our Shore Players!