The Annual Suzi Bass Awards Ceremony
The Annual Suzi Bass Awards Ceremony brings professionals and patrons of the Atlanta theatre community together to celebrate the theatre season. Theaters participate in a year-long judging process that results in outstanding nominees in 32 categories of plays, musicals, and theatre for young audiences and the winners are honored on the night of the
event.
The Suzis Eligibility Standards
Please read through the summary of the updated Suzi Eligibility Requirements, which now include the new Suzi EDI Eligibility standards.
The Suzis Awards
Full Guidelines & Processes
- Qualification Requirements for Companies, Productions, and Performers
- Number of Performances
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Standards for “Outstanding Production” awards
Consideration Request
Information & Instructions
When nominating, please:
- Information and requirements for Suzi Awards consideration
- Review before submitting a request
- Helps you prepare in advance
Special Nominations
The Suzis’ Special Awards honor extraordinary impact across the Atlanta theatre community. Select an award below to review nomination details and learn how to submit a recommendation.
The Spirit of Suzi Bass Award
Recognizes a person or organization whose work reflects the values and spirit of Suzi Bass and demonstrates sustained commitment to professional theatre in Atlanta.
Each season, the Suzi Awards Board of Directors solicits nominations from the professional theatre community. The Board will choose a recipient of the Spirit of Suzi Award from among those nominated. The Spirit Award will be presented, and the recipient profiled during the Suzi Awards Event in November. The recipient will be a person or organization that demonstrates qualities reflecting Suzi Bass herself. Such qualities might include:
- Each organization may nominate one volunteer each year (an individual or a couple) by submitting a written statement of 250 words or less and a photograph. Those submitted for the Volunteer of the Year award will be highlighted at the Nomination Announcement Event and on the Suzi Facebook Page.
- Before the Awards Event in November, a ballot with nominating statements will be sent to the Voting Members of the Suzi Awards, who will determine a winner. (Any tie will be re-balloted, resulting in only one winner each year.) Members will vote by internet/email only, and the results will be confidential.
- The Volunteer Award may be presented at an opening night or other special event at the nominating theatre, and the winner recognized during the Suzi Awards Event in November.
- Previous Volunteer of the Year winners may not be re-nominated for a period of ten (10) years.
The Callboard Award
- Recognizes the work of a stage manager, technical crew member, front-of-house staff member, or production staff member whose contributions fall outside standard award categories.
- Each season, the current Voting Members of the Suzi Bass Awards will award a special prize to a person from the greater Atlanta theatre community. This award is intended to recognize the work of a stage manager or other technical crew, front of house staff, or production staff of a Suzi Participating Theatre. Anyone working on a production but not fitting into regular “Suzi” categories may be nominated by any Suzi Member, or by the administration of a participating theatre.
- Nomination is submitted through a written statement of 250 words or less and a photograph, along with a Special Awards nomination form. Those submitted for the Callboard Award will be highlighted on the Suzi Facebook page. Before the awards event in November, a ballot with nominating statements will be sent to the Voting Members of the Suzi Awards, and tabulated results will be confidential.
(Any tie will be re-balloted, resulting in no more than one winner each year.)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognizes an outstanding body of work by a theatre artist, playwright, or producer whose career has had a significant and lasting impact on the Atlanta theatre community.
From time to time the Board of Directors of the Suzi Bass Awards may choose to recognize a member of the Metro Atlanta theatre community with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Unlike the Spirit of Suzi Bass Award, which focuses on a person or organization which demonstrates qualities embodied by Suzi Bass herself, this Award will focus on a body of work having a significant and long-term effect on the theatre community.
- Anyone may submit candidates for this award to any organizational staff or Board Member. Please include a short statement about the candidate’s achievements. Candidates should be brought before the Board in sufficient time to research their body of work.
- The Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be notified prior to the Awards Ceremony in November, and the award may be presented at a connected theatre or organizational event, with a profile and announcement at the Suzi Awards Ceremony.
Anyone may submit a nomination for the four special awards above by filling out the form available from ad***@******is.org.
With each form, we request that you “make a case” for why your nominee is a great choice. We will share this information with the appropriate group choosing the award. We may use part of your nomination wording on the Suzi website or Facebook and Twitter platforms, for promotional purposes.
Anyone may submit a nomination for the four special awards listed above using the online form below. When nominating, please:
- Share why your nominee deserves recognition
- Describe what makes their work meaningful, impactful, or special to the Atlanta theatre community
- Know that your nomination will be reviewed by the appropriate award committee
- Understand that excerpts may be featured on the Suzi website or on our Facebook and Threads channels to help celebrate their work
- Dedication to increasing the level of professionalism in the Atlanta Theatre Community;
- Selfless service to the Atlanta theatrical community through the development and support of theatre companies, professional artists, students of theatre, or new audiences;
- Consistent striving to better the working conditions of theatre artists, the support of audiences for theatre, or the environment for a strong and vibrant theatre community;
- True commitment to the joy of theatre as an avenue for self-expression, community empowerment, global connection, or cultural enrichment;
- Dedication to the belief that theatre can make a difference in Atlanta, and Atlanta theatre can make a difference in the world.