B. IDEN PAYNE NOMINATIONS
INFORMATION FOR PRODUCERS     

THE B. IDEN PAYNE AWARDS
The B. Iden Payne Awards — named for the renowned British theater director and teacher who concluded his career at the University of Texas at Austin — are awarded annually to recognize outstanding contributions to the Austin theater community.


THE B. IDEN PAYNE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
The nominations committee is composed of volunteers from across Austin theater: producers, directors, actors, designers, writers, composers, running crew and enthusiastic audience members. Our goal is to bring a wide spectrum of viewpoints to the table and thus reflect the full membership of ACoT.

The committee presents a slate of nominees in September. Current members of ACoT vote by printed ballot to determine the honorees. Awards are presented at a ceremony in October.

If you are interested in serving on the Payne Committee, see the Payne Committee information page.


AWARD ELIGIBILITY
Productions must originate and have at least six public performances (three for Plays for Youth) in Austin or at Sam Bass Community Theater in Round Rock. These performances need not be in the same venue and may be split over two or more runs within a season.

Plays for Youth are productions performed for audiences of young people (high school and below) by casts that are primarily trained adult actors.

Performers, directors and creative designers are eligible for consideration if the production is eligible, regardless of whether or not they are local residents. Performers must appear in at least six performances (three for Plays for Youth) to be eligible.

The original script and score categories are for eligible productions that are the first full staging with costumes, sets, lights, etc. Prior staged readings or concert performances do not render a script or score ineligible.

The eligibility season is Septermber 1 through August 31. Any production that meets the eligibility criteria prior to August 31 will be considered in the season in which it opened. Productions which meet the eligibility criteria for their total run — but with insufficient performances in either season — will be assigned to a season by the committee.

Remounts are eligible if the production has changed by at least 50% compared to the original production. The changes can involve any combination of new performers and design elements as long as the total production is at least 50% different. Performers are not reconsidered if they were previously considered for the same role. Only new designs are considered. After an interval of seven years or more, a remount is considered a new production.

The nominating committee uses its best judgment in determining eligibility and its decision is final.


COMP POLICY
If your group is new and has not established a complimentary ticket policy with the committee, please contact Bruce McCann (see address below) a week or two before you open. If your group has an established policy, please let him know before the first show of each season whether your policy will stay the same or change.

Companies are under no obligation to offer comps. If you can't afford them, some of our members will pay to attend your show. But some members are on fixed incomes, and making comps available helps them to see your work. Should you wish to extend this courtesy to committee members, we'll need to know:

• What number should members call (e-mail, etc.) to arrange reservations? Should they talk to a specific person who will have the list of their names, or will anyone do?
• How many comps may each member claim? Some groups offer two per person, some one. Some offer "x" total tickets, first come, first served.
• Do you wish to limit performances at which comps are offered? Some producers set "no Saturdays" or "no final weekend" in their policies, when they expect to fill the house with paying customers.
• Do you want to require that reservations be made? Some groups refuse to offer comps if we walk up to the box office; we have to give 24 hours' notice through the reservation line.
• Any other limitations you wish to make?

A list of committee member names will be provided to producers when a comp policy is arranged, so you will know who is eligible.


GETTING THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE TO YOUR SHOW
It is not necessary for producers to take time out of their already hectic schedules to send us press-release information. We read the “Chronicle” and “Statesman” listings. A list of eligible shows is compiled on a webpage and made available to members. The list is regularly updated. We will know about your show.

Some members prefer to attend anonymously and pay for their tickets. Just because no one has called for a comp does not mean committee members are not seeing your show.


QUESTIONS
Further questions may be directed to the committee chair, Steven Fay or the committee vice chair, Bruce McCann:

Steven Fay


Bruce McCann


Please note: The above e-addresses are reproduced here as images to deter spammers. You will have to copy the address into your own mail system to get in touch with Steven Fay or Bruce McCann.

Rev. 1 August 2007