I think you are right and smart for handling it. Why not just one award best performer or best actor. Actor encompasses all genders; however, since the kids are used to actor and actress, it may be good to use best performer, best supporting performer,...
In my troupe we don't do awards like these, so I can't speak from experience; however, I could see where there would be an issue. I have had several transgender students, and they would easily go into the category of the gender they identify with; however, I also have and have had a few students who prefer no gender and that would get tricky, plus why the need to separate. The best, can just be the best.
Another person mentioned upper and lower classmen, which might be very helpful. It would give a chance for new students to not be in competition with more experienced or well known students, especially if the students vote themselves for the winners. It spreads it out and offers more awards and is encouraging to new students.
Personally we only do thespian honor and scholar type awards, and thespian of the year (voted by the students). We also recognize the outgoing and incoming student board of officers, which in our troupe includes a representative from each grade level. We stopped doing best actor and other such awards years ago, at the students' request. They wanted to be recognized more for their involvement, dedication, and work, and have it be less about talent, since an ensemble is what makes a show strong. I have a HUGE troupe though with hundreds of students involved in shows every year so this may not be the same needs for your troupe.
Our thespian district does one act awards for best actor (can be male or female), best supporting actor, best cameo, ... none of those are gender specific.
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Kathleen McNulty
Theatre Teacher
Panama City FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-29-2017 18:51
From: Rebecca Rajswasser
Subject: Awards Ceremonies and Gender
I'm currently working on the ballots for our awards ceremony, and I'm finding myself concerned about being sensitive to gender. We've always done Best Male Performer/Best Female Performer/ Best Newbie/Best Techie type awards.
Now I am finding that this is bothering me. It's gnawing at me, actually, but I'm not sure to handle it. From other posts, I know that many of you have students who identify as transgender, or in some other way non-binary, and you've done amazing things with rest room and dressing room accommodations. So, if you do awards at all, how do you deal with those?
For Little Shop, I think I'll just do "Best Lead" and put Audrey, Seymour, Audrey II and then "Best Supporting" and put Orin, Mushnik and the urchins. But, what do I do with our improv shows?
I was thinking maybe "Best performer, choose two."
Thoughts?
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Rebecca Rajswasser
Teacher
Ocala FL
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