Apply to be a Judge
Judges do the core work of the Suzis, and we encourage avid theatre watchers and artists to apply to join our panels. Judges participate in trainings and commit to seeing a significant number of Suzi-submitted shows each season in order to vote on nominees and awards recipients. In return, participating theatres provide complimentary tickets to our judges.
Donate or Become a Sponsor
Businesses and theaters cannot be Suzi Members, but may certainly support the organization through tax-deductible donations and sponsorships. Participating theaters do not pay a fee in order to have shows considered by Suzi Judges.
What steps do I take to be a Suzi Award judge?
People who are interested in becoming a Suzi Award judge should have extensive theatre experience as a creative professional, educator, administrator, volunteer, or longtime patron.
Judge applications are open year-round here on the Suzi website.
The application deadline is March 31 to be on a judging panel for the Suzi Award season, which starts on July 1 each year.
Applications are reviewed and new judges selected in the spring. Training for new and returning judges is in June.
Judges are assigned to one or more of our panels: Plays, Musicals, Theatre for Young Audiences, World Premieres and Social Justice. Judges are required to see 40% of the recommended shows on their panel to participate in nominations discussions and vote the final ballot.
The play panel attends the most shows, about 40 in an average year. Musical panel sees about 15–20. The World Premiere, Social Justice, and TYA panels usually see up to 10.
Judges receive one complimentary ticket to each show they attend. They are responsible for their own transportation and parking fees but can request reimbursement from a special Suzi Awards fund if they want it. Judges complete an extensive scorebook within 48 hours of seeing each show they attend.
In July, the panels meet to discuss and determine nominees. After nominations are announced, the judges vote on the final ballot for all categories where they have seen at least 80% of the nominees.
In appreciation for their many hours dedicated to adjudicating the Suzi Awards, judges receive one complimentary ticket for the Suzi Awards ceremony in November.
Become a Member
Becoming a member of the Suzi Bass Awards is a great way to support our work, get exclusive access to special events like our Suzi Salons, and industry news before anyone else. By joining as a Voting Member for $50, you can also vote on the final Membership ballot for the Awards.
(Membership votes are counted as a single block.)
