The annual announcement of the Helen Hayes Awards Nominations often generate interest about the system that produced them. The nomination process is described in detail on this website and available at any time from the Helen Hayes Awards office.
So, to help you better understand the many components of the rigorous Awards process, we're happy to offer the following FAQs. If your own specific question isn’t answered here (or at a linked page of this website), please send it to info@helenhayes.org and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
The Helen Hayes Awards have been a critical tool for promoting Washington area professional theatres for almost 25 years. The Awards serve as a valued credential for theatres just getting started, for those already established, and, of course, for individual theatre artists. By shining a spotlight on certain work, the theatre community as a whole is illuminated. So, the Awards’ value and credibility require that the process underlying them be relevant and fair to the community we represent.
During 2007, 189 productions were produced that met the Helen Hayes Awards’ eligibility requirements. And ALL Washington productions – regardless of eligibility - feature the work of thousands of theatre professionals that make the Washington theatre community the second most prolific theatre town in the country.
Work that is nominated – and work that ultimately receives Awards is not “best” or “better” in any way. Such distinctions, of course, simply aren’t possible. But all nominated work does have something in common – it is all OUTSTANDING.
If you already understand the Helen Hayes Awards process, please join us in saluting the 147 artists and productions who are the
2008 Helen Hayes Awards Nominees
(and even if you don’t really understand the process but just want to get to the list right now, please come back to this page if you have any questions)
How Are the Nominees Determined?
- Eight judges from a judging pool, specifically endorsed for the purpose by a panel of Washington area artistic directors, are dispatched to see each eligible production.
- Each judge evaluates each artist’s work in the production on a 0-10 graded point scale in each of 24 applicable categories.
- Ballots must be submitted within 24 hours of the judge’s attendance.
- Judges have no idea as to the Awards status of any work they have seen and scored until the public does, i.e., when the nominees (and then the recipients) are announced.
- At the conclusion of the 12-month judging cycle (January-December), the scores from the eight judges who saw each production are tabulated by an independent analysis firm.
- In all, more than 30,000 scores are analyzed, using standardized and widely accepted statistical models.
- The productions, designs, and performances receiving the top five final scores in each category become the nominees. In the case of tie votes, a tie-breaking system is used; and, if the tie still cannot be broken, the number of nominees is simply increased.
- Following the public announcement of the nominees, the process continues to determine the Award recipient in each category. Again, in the case of tie votes, a tie-breaking system is used; and, if the tie still cannot be broken, the number of Award recipients is simply increased.
Why Didn’t My Favorite Actor or Production Receive a Nomination?
- Happily, Greater Washington is a community of theatre lovers! So, it’s only natural that audiences and artists connect with, root for, and thoughtfully disagree about work they feel to be outstanding. Not surprisingly, that same subjectivity necessarily informs the nominations.
- Eight judges render their independent – and completely subjective – opinions about all work in each eligible production. So, it’s entirely possible that those subjective judgments differ not only among the judges themselves, but also with audience members – just as opinions vary among audience members.
- With 189 productions and almost 2,000 individual performances by great actors and actresses under consideration, it’s simply unavoidable that some even truly exceptional work will not receive one of the top five scores needed for a nomination.
Who Are the Helen Hayes Awards Judges and Who Chooses Them?
- The 63 individuals who comprised the 2007 judging pool are a diverse and proportional mix of arts professionals, academics, journalists, and very experienced lifelong theatre goers.
- Anyone who wants to serve as a Helen Hayes Awards judge submits a detailed application to a panel of respected Washington area artistic directors. Based on a set of well-defined criteria, with special attention given to any real or even perceived conflict of interest, the panel thoroughly vets every application.
- Ultimately, each director serving on the Judge Selection Committee must say whether – based on the information provided in the application – he/she would feel comfortable having that person evaluate their work. Only candidates for whom that answer is a resounding “yes” are empanelled as Helen Hayes Awards judges.
- Each judge is invited to serve a three-year term. So, approximately one-third of the judges rotate off Helen Hayes service each year.
How are Judges Assigned to See Shows?
- Each judge assigned to one of four panels: one panel to evaluate eligible musical productions, one panel to evaluate new plays (world premieres), and two panels to evaluate straight plays that don’t fall into either of the first two categories.
- Eight judges are assigned from the appropriate panel to see each eligible production. In assigning judges to specific productions, the intent is to reflect the proportional composition of the entire judge pool; assignments may also be rotated as individuals’ schedules require. Each judge is required to attend and score approximately 30 shows each year.
- Judges attend their assigned productions with ballots in hand; each ballot consists of production information provided by the theatre.
- No judge is allowed to evaluate a performance at a theatre where he/she has a real or a perceived conflict of interest.
What Involvement Do the Theatres Have in The Helen Hayes Awards Process?
- All Washington area artistic directors are asked to submit names of individuals whom they believe meet the specific criteria for service as a Helen Hayes Awards judge.
- Artistic directors are asked – on a rotating basis – to serve on the Judge Selection Committee.
- Every theatre participating in The Helen Hayes Awards has an unconditional right:
- to determine if it chooses to submit a production for consideration;
- to determine if its production is classified as a “musical” or a “play;”
- to designate specific performances when Helen Hayes Awards judges may attend;
- to reject any judge assigned to its theatre (at the time the judge is scheduled) if the theatre has reason to believe that that judge cannot evaluate the work impartially (another judge is then assigned);
- to expect that all Helen Hayes Awards judges conduct themselves in an appropriate and respectful manner; and
- to make policy and rules suggestions pertinent to improving the Awards process. Indeed, it’s the suggestions, comments, and observations of theatre professionals that have helped the Awards process remain fresh and properly reflective of the ever-evolving Washington theatre community.
How is the Helen Hayes Awards Process Overseen?
- The Rules Committee of the Helen Hayes Awards Board of Directors governs all Awards rules and procedures.
- If any judge does not adhere to the Awards’ code of conduct, he/she is dismissed.
- An independent analysis firm blindly tracks judge scoring to ensure the integrity of all balloting.
- Judges are strictly prohibited from collaborating with anyone – or with one other – on their scores. All ballots are completed independently.
- The Awards are administered by a professional and dedicated staff who work closely with liaisons from every theatre to comply with the established rules, policies, and processes.
- After each year’s judges are selected, they go through a series of orientations specifically aimed at ensuring that each judge fully understands the scope of his/her responsibilities and the rights of all theatres.
The Helen Hayes Award – the credential itself – is the centerpiece of all the
other community service, education, and audience development programs that
The Helen Hayes Awards – the organization – provides all year long.
The curtain never goes down on these programs, which continue to generate audiences for, not just eligible or Awards-nominated theatres,
but every theatre in this community.
Now that you know just how they were selected, we proudly present …