Judging

Learn about the judging process and how to participate

The Judging Process

Judging begins during a production’s opening weekend. Judges assigned to the Play or Musical panel attend and evaluate the production using an established scoring rubric. They score applicable elements, including Direction, Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Costume Design, and Projection Design. Musicals are also evaluated for Choreography and Music Direction.
 
Performances are evaluated for Principal and Featured acting categories or for Ensemble recognition, as applicable.
 
Opening Weekend judges submit their scores and indicate whether they believe the production should be designated Suzi Recommended. If a majority of the Opening Weekend judges recommend the production, it becomes Suzi Recommended, and the remaining judges on the appropriate Play or Musical panel attend the production, evaluate it, and submit their scores.
 
Separate judging is conducted for World Premiere, Theatre for Young Audiences, and Social Justice awards under the criteria established for those categories.
 
At the end of the season, judges review the cumulative scores submitted throughout the season and discuss the eligible candidates to determine nominations in accordance with the Judging Guidelines. Following the announcement of the nominees, judges cast final ballots for the award recipients.
 
Nominees are announced in August, and the Suzi Bass Awards ceremony is held each November.

Apply to become a Judge

Information & Instructions

The application includes questions about your background and theatre experience, plus a practice judging exercise based on a recent or current production from a Participating Theatre.

Judges Application

Judge's FAQs

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.

Suzi Panel Judges see Suzi Recommended plays at our participating theatres and submit a score sheet based on a detailed rubric. At the end of the season, the judge reviews all of their scores and nominees are determined based only on scores from the panel judges. Once the nominees are announced, each judge receives a final ballot for voting.

We have important judge training meetings before the season begins, usually between May and July. And because learning about theatre is a lifelong experience, we hold Salons and Judge Roundtables throughout the year. Articles and materials that would be helpful or interesting to our judges are sent out periodically by email orposted on the Suzi Awards Facebook page.

Time commitment varies depending on the panel. Play Panel judges will see twice as many plays as Musical or TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) Panel judges, averaging three to five a month. Some months may have as many as 7 plays to see. We have a Standards of Conduct document that explains expected behavior, dealing with conflicts of interest, and other organizational matters. All Suzi volunteers must accept those standards to participate. If you’d like to see the Standards of Conduct before submitting your application, please contact our Judging Coordinator at ju*****@********ds.org.

It is possible to be a panel judge and also be a Recommending Judge, but generally service on only one panel is best.

2We do ask that each judge become a member of the Suzi Awards. Membership ranges from $35 annually to $2,500 for a Lifetime Membership. Each panel judge will receive one complimentary ticket to each Suzi Recommended show. You will need to purchase any tickets for any guests that accompany you. Unfortunately, we cannot reimburse judges for travel expenses or mileage. However, your mileage is considered a charitable contribution and is tax-deductible if you itemize your return.

Judges Application

Judging for The Suzi Awards is both an honor and a meaningful commitment. Our judges play a vital role in recognizing excellence across Atlanta’s professional theatre community through thoughtful evaluation, collaboration, and care. If you bring deep theatre experience, a fair and curious perspective, and the ability to commit time during the season, we invite you to apply and be part of the process that helps shape each year’s awards.

Note for preparation: You will need to complete a practice judging where you’ll need to speak to a production you’ve seen in the last 90 days or a current production by one of our Participating Theatres. 


Equity and Inclusion

Learn about our equity and eligibility standards

We believe a thriving theatre community reflects the full diversity of the artists and audiences it serves, and our work continues to evolve toward that goal.

Equity and Inclusion Standards