HERSHEY THEATRE APOLLO AWARDS

Please feel free to contact Tony L. Measley at 717-533-6299 with any questions regarding the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards registration.

Check out our new and very exciting scholarship opportunities!

A huge thank you to the sponsors of the 2010 Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards:
Carmen and Tonia Finestra and The Finestra Foundation
The Christalla Papson Legacy Fund
Messiah College
The Phillips Group
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Play Nominations for the 2010 Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards
Musical Nominations for the 2010 Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards

The Apollo Awards

Created in 2008, the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards will be presented on May 23, 2010, and then continue annually for outstanding achievement by local high school students in their musical and play productions. Modeled after The Tony Awards on Broadway and following the example of the Paper Mill Playhouse “Rising Star Awards” in Millburn, NJ, the ceremony will be held at the Hershey Theatre, being produced and presented by the Theatre Education Department.

The Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards are aptly named for the Greek God who adorns the decorative ceiling in the Grand Lobby of the Hershey Theatre. Apollo was the patron god of music, poetry, and the arts – a fitting namesake for our tribute program.

Any high school, either private or public, in Cumberland, Dauphin, or Lebanon counties is eligible to participate. The Elizabethtown School District has also been invited to participate due to their proximity to Hershey itself.

The awards will focus solely on the performance of the youth, honoring their acting, singing, and dancing abilities. The Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards is committed to recognizing only actual performances of the high school students involved in the productions.

Each school must pay a fee of $55.00 for registration. All applicants for the plays must be submitted online beginning Friday, September 25, 2009. Applications for musicals must be submitted online beginning Monday, January 4, 2010.

Evaluators will be sent to see the plays and musicals. All evaluators will be trained in the scoring method established by the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards and will attend mandatory training sessions throughout the year. Four evaluators will be sent to each performance. Nominations for the plays will be announced on December 14, 2009 with nominations for the musicals being announced April 26, 2010.

Each school must provide a total of eight (8) complimentary tickets for the evaluators and their guests. Additionally, all schools must provide accurate driving instructions to the building where the production will be held.

All participating schools MUST submit a DVD of the production. This video will be used to show evaluators the specific scenes and characters to be adjudicated. It is advantageous to the school and the student performers that the video be of the highest quality. The video may be either a performance or a final dress rehearsal. It is extremely important that the Hershey Theatre Apollo Committee receives a copy of the program and a poster of the production. These are mandatory.

Should a school double-cast their production, please note that two separate application packets (with two registration fees) would have to be completed. Also, tickets for the evaluators must be held for each of the performances for each of the casts.

Awards Presented

The following are the awards that will be presented on the evening on May23, 2010 at the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards program:

Outstanding Student Orchestra
Outstanding Dance Number in a Musical
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical
Outstanding Featured Performer
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical
Outstanding Production of a Play
Outstanding Production of a Musical

The Evaluation Process

The Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards is comprised of two evaluation rounds. In this first round, four (4) evaluators will attend the school productions. The evaluators will have one week to complete their evaluation forms and return them to the Hershey Theatre.

The five (5) highest scoring individuals and shows will become the nominations in each category. Nominations for plays will be announced on December 14, 2009 and musical nominations will be announced on April 28, 2010.

After the nominations are announced, the second round of the evaluation process will occur. Evaluators will view the five (5) nominations in each category based on the video submitted. They will cast a vote in each category. A sub-group of whole production evaluators will view the entire play/musical and rank the shows from 1-5. Results will be kept secret until the night of the ceremony, May 23, 2010.

Evaluator Attendance and Tickets

Every production will be attended by four (4) evaluators representing the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards. The Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards staff will reserve a maximum of eight (8) complimentary tickets to each of the school’s productions (that is, two tickets: one for each evaluator and a guest). At least one week prior to each of the performances, a representative of the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards will contact the school’s ticket office or representative to verify specifically which shows the evaluators will attend and how many tickets will be needed for each show performance. All other sets being held for the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards may then be released. If a guest cancels and will not be accompanying an evaluator to the performance, the evaluator will inform the box office that one seat can be released upon redeeming. If for some reason an evaluator is unable to attend an assigned performance, the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards committee will make every effort to reassign that evaluator to another performance. If no other performances are available, the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards committee will double the highest score received from the remaining three (3) evaluators.

Please respect the need for all evaluators to attend your performances anonymously so that there will be no lobbying from cast members’ friends and families. The eight (8) tickets will be reserved under the name of the evaluator. Evaluators will pick up their tickets prior to the assigned performance. Do not mail the tickets to the Hershey Theatre. The occasion may arise when an evaluator cannot attend a public performance. This situation will be avoided, if possible, but please be aware that on a rare occasion, an evaluator may need to attend a rehearsal or a student matinee.

The Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards staff strongly suggests that directors not tell their students when the evaluators will be in the audience. We want the evaluators to see a typical production. Also, please do not cordon off an area for the evaluators or do not make the seating recognizable in any way. We are committed to establishing discretion to ensure total objectivity during the entire process.

Evaluators who have a vested interest – either personally or professionally- with an individual school will not be assigned to rate that school’s performance.

The Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards Advisory Board has assembled a rather diverse group of evaluators experienced in the world of theatre and musical productions. Each evaluator has been trained in the use of the scoring rubric created by the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards Advisory Board. All evaluators will view each production through a common perspective.

Application Process / Deadlines

So, how do you sign up for the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards?

Your first step is to call and reserve a spot for the informational meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2009. Call 534-6299 or email Tony Measley at TLMeasley@hersheytheatre.com.

Schools plays must occur between the dates of October 15, 2009 and November 29, 2009. Registration for the plays in the fall will occur on Friday, September 25, 2009. Applications will be online at the Hershey Theatre website under the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards category of the education tab. Schools must submit the registration fee ($55.00) to the Hershey Theatre by October 30, 2009. If the registration fee is not received by October 30, 2009, the school will not be eligible to participate.

Musicals must occur between the dates of February 1, 2010 and April 18, 2010. Registration for the musicals will begin on Monday, January 4, 2010. Again, this may be done online at the Hershey Theatre website under the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards category of the education tab. The registration fee for musicals is due February 19, 2010. If the registration fee is not received by February 19, 2010, the school will not be eligible to participate.

If schools choose to register for both the play and musical, two registration forms with two separate entrance fees will be required.

After school productions have been completed, video and support materials must be sent to the theatre. All materials for the plays must be submitted by Dec 11, 2009. All materials for the musicals must be submitted by April 23, 2010.

Performance Video

All participating schools must submit a full length video - standard DVD format - preferably with chapters/ time stamps of the school’s production or dress rehearsal. The Hershey Theatre will contact the publishing houses to secure permission for usage of material in the awards ceremony and for archival purposes. Once again, the audio and visual quality is paramount for the evaluation process. We recommend choosing the most visually advantageous filming location(s) to capture a true representation of the entire production. It is imperative that your video quality captures the performance details of all involved. This will aid in the evaluation process.

Support Materials Guidelines

Support materials, such as the show poster, program, and tickets, will be used for display purposes only. These materials should be sent to the Hershey Theatre no later than April 23, 2010.

Acceptable support materials are:

Production photos
Flyers and posters
Programs/ playbills - Mandatory
Tickets (or photocopies of your tickets)

Make sure all materials are clearly labeled before sending them to the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards at the Hershey Theatre.

Theme Song

A theme song has been commissioned for the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards program on May 23, 2010. This song will be performed as part of the either the opening and/or closing number for our show. This addition for year two will become part of the tradition for the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards.

Awards Ceremony

The awards program will be held on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hershey Theatre. The ceremony will feature live performances of production numbers from the five (5) nominated musicals and individual selections performed by students nominated in each of the outstanding male and female leading roles. Additionally, characters from the plays will provide a brief commentary about their shows.

Schools nominated for Outstanding Musical will be required to perform a musical number from their production. Each nominated school will select the number(s) to perform within a four (4) minute time slot unless two schools are nominated for the same show. In that case, the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards Executive Directors and Musical Director will assign the production number. Hand props and costumes will be permitted as long as they can be transported to the theatre by the schools themselves. Basic lighting elements will be provided at the discretion of the Hershey Theatre staff. No scenery, drops, or flats will be used. All musical numbers will be performed with the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards set. The Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards staff recommends that all student performers in the awards program dress in costume. If the cast is unable to retain their show costumes for this evening performance, the theatre staff encourages uniformity of dress. Production numbers will have piano accompaniment only and the school must provide the accompanist. Groups should limit the number of performers in their large group to no more than 35 students.

Students nominated in the Outstanding Leading Actor/Actress in a musical category will be expected to perform a medley. That medley will feature a portion of a number performed from their show but combined into a medley with other nominees arranged by the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards Musical Director.

An opening and closing number will be performed by student representatives from each participating school. These numbers will be selected by the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards Committee and sent to the schools by March 1, 2010. Each director is expected to facilitate the rehearsal and memorization of this song for their designated performers. Rehearsal for all the participants will occur on the day of the performance (May 23rd), between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Time will be limited so please be prepared to move on and off the stage quickly and quietly. Prior individual rehearsal is strongly suggested to insure the fluidity of the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards program. However, the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards reserves the right to call an extra rehearsal prior to show night.

The Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards format allows for brief acceptance speeches; however, they must be limited to one (1) minute. If your school is nominated for one of the non-individual awards, (overall musical, overall play, outstanding dance number, or outstanding orchestra) each director will choose no more than two (2) students to accept that award for the school.

Attire for the evening is formal. Students involved in any performance number or medleys may bring a change of clothing.

Transportation to and from the Hershey Theatre for the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards show is the responsibility of each participating school. School nominated for the Outstanding Musical category will be assigned to a dressing room area. Costumes and make-up can be applied in that area. It will be the responsibility of the schools to see that the dressing rooms are cleaned at that time. Should additional cleaning be required, the Hershey Theatre will bill the school(s). Unpaid or outstanding bills will eliminate participation in future Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards programs.

Ticketing

Students participating in the awards program will be given a complimentary ticket for the evening. All students nominated in one of the individual categories will also receive free admission. Schools nominated for Outstanding Musical will receive thirty-five (35) complimentary tickets for the cast, crew, and directors. Those schools nominated for Outstanding Play will receive twenty (20) complimentary tickets for the evening.

All other tickets will go on sale at the Hershey Theatre box office on January 4, 2010 and may be purchased by calling the box office at (717) 534-3405, by FAX (717) 533-2882, or visiting at the box office window. Some selected seats will be held throughout the auditorium until after nominations for the musicals are announced on April 26, 2010. At that time those seats will be released so parents and friends of those nominees will be able to obtain prime seating.

We are expecting this year’s production to be SOLD OUT, so it is highly suggested that seating be purchased before the evening of May 23rd.

Ticket prices are as follows:

For Orchestra, Loge and Lower Balcony seating:
Adults $20 / Student $15
For Middle and Upper Balcony seating:
Adults and Students $10

All tickets and seats are reserved and everyone attending the ceremony must have a ticket.

Tickets cannot be refunded once they have been purchased.

Important 2009-2010 Dates

Sept. 8, 2009 - Letters to teachers/directors of eligible schools
Sept. 21, 2009 - First training session for Evaluators
Sept. 24, 2009 - Meeting for Teachers/Directors at the theatre
Sept. 25, 2009 - Registration for HIGH SCHOOL PLAYS begins for the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards. Registration will be online at hersheytheatre.com
Sept. 30, 2009 - Second Training Session for Evaluators
Oct. 30, 2009 - Registration fees for PLAYS must be submitted by this date.
Oct. 15 – Nov. 29, 2009 - PLAY SEASON. Evaluations of PLAYS by our evaluators
Dec. 11, 2009 - All support materials for PLAYS are due at the Hershey Theatre
Dec. 14, 2009 - Nominations for PLAYS will be announced
Jan. 4, 2010 - Registration for HIGH SCHOOL MUSICALS begins for the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards
Jan. 4, 2010 - Tickets go on sale for the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards
Jan 12, 2010 - Final evaluation for PLAYS
Jan 20, 2010 - Meeting for Directors/teachers of MUSICALS
Feb. 19, 2010 - Registration fees for MUSICALS must be received
Feb. 1 – Apr. 18, 2010 - MUSICAL season. Evaluations of MUSICALS by our evaluators
Mar. 1, 2010 - Opening and closing numbers will be sent to the participating high schools
Apr. 23, 2010 - All support materials for MUSICALS are due at the Hershey Theatre
Apr. 26, 2010 - Nominations for MUSICALS categories will be announced
May 6, 2010 - Final Evaluation for MUSICALS at the Hershey Story
May 23, 2010 - Rehearsal for the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards beginning at 2:30 p.m.
May 23, 2010 - The Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards 7:00 p.m.