Establishing the Judging Panels

At the beginning of each season, the judging panels are established by separating all of the judges into three panels. There is a Musical Panel, a Play Panel, and an Original Works Panel. Each panel is given a production schedule that details the production submissions and the dates they run throughout the season. Judges attend every submitted production at least one time for review, unless the show load reaches 15 shows or more. If this happens, then a judging matrix will be established so that judges won't have to endure high show loads. They are required to show that they have attended by signing a sign-in sheet that is provided at the box office of each participating theater.

   

How productions are categorized

Throughout the season, as a production opens, the participating theater is required to provide the MAT Awards with an accurate list of their cast and crew for that production and also headshots of the cast if the cast is over 10 people. It is left up to the participating theater company to categorize their cast and crew based on the awards categories. The MAT Awards have no say in what category an actor falls in, except by providing a guideline for the theater to follow. However, they will be closely monitored and corrected if any categories are considered unreasonable. Therefore, if any question is raised about whether an actor was actually a leading role or a major supporting role, the responsibility falls back on the participating theater.

   

Voting and Tallying

Once the season concludes, the judging panels begin voting for their top four Nominees in each award category. This is done online, via a secure website. Judges are given PIN numbers to authenticate their votes. The judges are then alotted 12 points, per award category, to distribute however they see fit among their top four choices. Once all of the votes are in, two MAT Board Members will tally the votes (in the past, it's been Russ Ivey and Robin Thornett). The top four with the most points are declared the Official Nominees. The one with the highest points is declared the Award Winner. If a tie exists for Award Winner, then all judges get to revote and may only select from the top four Official Nominees that have been declared. The MAT Board keeps all original vote forms and tally sheets on file if there is ever a question about validity. These files are available for any acting Theater Representative and/or owner of a member Theater Company for review in private.