The Award Process

Carbonell Panels and Their Functions
• The recommendation panel evaluates shows on opening weekend. Their recommendations determine if the show continues to the next level of consideration.
• The judging panel evaluates only those shows which have been recommended by the recommendation panel. The judging panel makes the Carbonell Award nominations and determines the winners.
• Panelists are notified of the status of eligible shows and their assignments via a weekly “hotline” e-mail.

Three-tier Award Consideration
• The Recommendation Process
o The Carbonell Awards administration assigns six recommendation panelists to attend one of the first few performances of any eligible show, typically on opening weekend.
o Typically, recommendation status will be determined within the first week that nominators are able to attend performances.
o Each recommendation panelist forwards a report for the assigned production which evaluates the production in regard to each award category.
o To gain a recommendation, the production must be recommended in a specific award category (e.g. specific performance, design, best production, ensemble, new work) by four of the six panelists or in two specific categories by three panelists.

• The Nominating Process
o The judging panel is not informed of what categories led the show to be recommended to continue for further consideration. Therefore, each recommended show is considered by judges for all categories.
o Each member of the judging panel must see at least 90 percent of all shows recommended for further consideration. The judging panel may not consider any show which was not recommended for further award consideration.
o The judging panel convenes in a nomination session. Members of the panel can vote upon only those shows they saw.
o The judging panel may nominate no more than five in any category.

• The Award Process
o Judges complete a ballot of all nominees.
o Judges may not vote upon any shows they did not see.
o In the event of a tie,further balloting occurs to determine a single winner.