Open Forum

Hello.  How do you choose the Best Thespian Award ??? I give two... one female one male.  Do you decide simply by total number of points or do youtake other areas into consdideration??? Do any of you use a rubric? Are there any official Thespian rules for this??? 
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Susan Pike
Director of Theatre Arts
Centreville VA
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I think this is pretty individual to each program. We don't have a "best thespian" in our school. Instead we the awards are broken down into the following categories (and my President and VP choose these).

Most Dedicated (Male and Female)

Most Improved (Male and Female)

Techie Award

MVP

and what we call the Bear Cub Awards (our mascot is the bear). One student from each grade level is chosen as being the best example of what a thespian should do/be.

I have a Veteran Award that goes to a student who has been involved in theatre all 4 years of high school and I choose this. I need to see whoever receives this improve, take on greater amounts of responsibility, help out when needed, mentor younger students, and (so far) has been involved in both the performance and technical aspects. The last qualification is flexible. It's just worked out that way.

We also have a very special award called the Grandma Schwartz Award that is give to 1 senior each year. My mother (hence the name) creates an original teddy bear that reflects the most important production for that specific student. The 2 of us discuss who should receive this. It goes to the person who puts others first in the department. (S)he is the person who gives rides so other students can attend rehearsal, comes in on his/her own time to help (regardless of whether (s)he is in the current production), is a shoulder when someone REALLY needs it, and who puts forth more energy and commitment to our program.

I'd recommend looking at your kids, your school atmosphere, and decide what will be easiest for you and works best for your specific program. As long as you stick to the same guidelines every year you should be fine.

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Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
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I concur with Shira. As always. :)

It really is in your court, and as Shira notes, each troupe does it differently dependent on school, troupe traditions established, and so on. Our school has a traditional Awards night for the whole Senior class, and there, after the scholarships and other such stuff has been announced, Longhorn Legends are announced in all the different departments (English, ROTC, Math, Science, Theatre, etc.) So the Longhorn Legend for Theatre is kind of our 'best Thespian', if you will, selected for their work ethic and output during their senior year. My first year an individual won it who had been involved in all four years of theatre at our school; this past year an individual won it who had joined our program in their senior year and been instrumental to the troupe's success through their contribution and hard work. 

Then I have our own Theatre awards night, which I'm still trying to find the perfect formula for! But the Longhorn Legend is announced again at the Theatre Awards night.

Have fun!

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Phillip Goodchild
Theatre Arts Instructor/Assistant Department Head of English
Hillsborough County Schools
Ruskin FL
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