Rules and Guidelines

Eligibility

All high schools that produce a musical located within a 80 mile radius from Overture Center, located at 201 State Street, Madison, are eligible to participate.  This includes the following counties:  Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Rock, Sauk and parts of Grant, Milwaukee, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha.

If you are not located within this region, but would like to partcipate please contact Tim Sauers at tsauers@overturecenter.com or 608.258.4420. 

Productions entered must fall into one of the following categories:

1. A published musical, operetta or revue that is currently held by a licensing house in the public domain.
2. An original piece which features an original script, music and/or lyrics and which is covered under a valid copyright.
3. An original theatrical compilation of musical/text material from other sources that is presented with the approval or permission of the original creators and their representatives.  This excludes show choir, choral or vocal jazz arrangements.

Musical productions for each season must take place between September 30, 2012 and May 12, 2013.  Any production that takes place after May 12 should apply for the following year's Tommy Awards program.

Teacher/Director Responsibilities

Teachers and directors of schools participating in the Tommy Awards will be required to:

1. Act as the primary liaison between Overture Center and your school's community (faculty, students, parents, etc).
2. Provide Overture Center with digital production photographs for use at the final awards ceremony.
3. Distribute important updates and information related to Overture’s Tommy Awards to your students and community.
4. Respond to correspondence from Overture Center in a timely manner.
5. Be responsible for making production sheet music available to Overture Center, if requested.
6. Schedule and coordinate rehearsals with your students prior to the final awards ceremony, if performing or participating in any way.
7. Attend periodic informational meetings held at Overture Center during the year, if requested.
8. Attend rehearsals for the final awards ceremony.

Student Liason Responsibilities:

1. Act as a liason between Overture Center and your fellow students.
2. Distribute informtion regarding the Making it on Broadway workshop series to fellow students.
3. Respond to correspondence from Overture Center in a timely manner.
4. Assist the Teacher/Director with collecting student information needed for the Tommy Awards.
5. Attend informational meetings held at Overture Center during the year, if requested.

Parent Liason Responsibilities:

1. Act as a liason between Overture Center and your community.
2. Distribute information regarding the Tommy Awards program and Awards Ceremony to fellow parents and members of your community.
3. Respond to correspondence from Overture Center in a timely manner.
4. Attend informational meetings held at Overture Center during the year, if requested.

Applications

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2012/13 Tommy Awards.   Applications for all musicals taking place between September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2012 must be received by October 1, 2012.  Applications for all musicals taking place between Januray 1, 2013 and May 6, 2013 must be received by January 1, 2013.

A $50 application fee must be submitted with each application.

For further information or to download applications please see the How To Participate page.

Complimentary Tickets

Three to four reviewers will attend each production on behalf of the Tommy Awards.  Each school must provide Overture Center with six to eight complimentary tickets (two for each reviewer) on the date(s) selected by Overture.  If the production is General Admission, six to eight seats must also be reserved for the reviewers.  Tickets should be held at the box office for reviewers to pick up before the performance.

Conflict of Interest

Reviewers are required to alert Overture Center immediately if there is a conflict of interest with a participating school.

Photography Release

During the course of the program, there may be times when Overture Center will need to photograph/videotape students, faculty, and other staff and volunteers.  Please be aware that by participating in the program, teachers and students are giving full rights and permissions to Overture Center for the use of such video and photos.  Please also be aware that Overture Center may use a school’s name and students’ names in any press releases associated with the Tommy Awards.