The Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Teacher of the Year Award
The specific rules and requirements of The ASCAP Foundation/Educational Theatre Association Stephen Schwartz Musical Theater Teacher of the Year Award (the “Award”), including but not limited to, eligibility, winner selection process, and award criteria, are set forth below (the “Award Requirements”). These Award Requirements are supplemented by the general rules and regulations attached as Schedule A (the “General Terms” and collectively with the “Award Requirements”, the “Official Rules”), which are incorporated by reference. By participating in the Award process, all nominees agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of The ASCAP Foundation (the “Foundation”), the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (“ASCAP”) and the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), which are final and binding in all respects. To the extent not specifically defined below, all capitalized terms have the meaning set forth in the General Terms.
About the Award
The Foundation, EdTA and Stephen Schwartz wish to recognize the highest level of achievement for a middle or high school musical theatre teacher. The annual Award is named after Stephen Schwartz, the four-time Grammy and three-time Oscar winner who has written the music and lyrics for the Broadway hit Wicked and has contributed music or lyrics to Godspell, Pippin and more. The Award is administered by The Foundation and EdTA. All nominations will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of EdTA award-winning teachers, EdTA leaders, musical theatre industry professionals, and representatives of the Foundation.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for consideration for the Award, a nominee (each, a “Nominee”) must be a middle or high school musical theatre teacher who is currently employed as such and is in good standing at their employer school. The Foundation or EdTA may, in their sole discretion, disqualify any Nominee if, at any time prior to the awarding of the Prize (as defined below), such Nominee is no longer in good standing at their employer school.
Nominees must also be, at the time of entry: (a) a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident or enrolled student with a valid and current U.S. student visa and (b) at least 18 years of age or the age of majority in the state or country of residence, whichever is older.
Previous Award Recipients are not eligible to receive the Award.
Application Period
The “Application Period” begins on March 7, 2023 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on April 7, 2023.
Nomination Requirements
To be considered for the Award, Nominees must be nominated by themselves or by a student, peer or a principal (excluding family members), with the submission of a nomination form (each, a “Nomination”) using the following method:
Nominations may be submitted by completing the nomination form that is located at https://edta.secure-platform.com/a/page/edtaawards/schwartzaward (the “Nomination Form”), including a description of up to five hundred (500) words of the Nominee’s program and career accomplishments (including, for example, productions, festivals and one-act competitions the Nominee has worked on, their successful student alumni and their impact beyond the school) and (a) a shared video streaming link (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo etc.) of under three (3) minutes in length, that tells the story of the impact the teacher has had on students and/or colleagues(I.e. testimonials); (b) two (2) letters of recommendation of three hundred (300) words or less from a school administrator/employer, a colleague/peer or student, (excluding family members)(as described in the Nomination Form).
Nominees may contact awards@schooltheatre.org with any questions about the Nomination submission process.
Judging Procedures & Criteria
All nominations will be evaluated by a distinguished committee of EdTA award-winning teachers, EdTA leaders, musical theatre industry professionals, and representatives of the Foundation), with initial screening conducted by EdTA staff. The top three (3) finalists will be presented to The Foundation and Stephen Schwartz for input and selection of the final winner of the Award. The selection process will be completed by May 27, 2023
Prize and Award Ceremony
In accordance with the Judging Procedures and Criteria above, one musical theatre teacher demonstrating the highest level of achievement will be selected as the Award Recipient and will receive a monetary prize of $5,000 (the “Prize”). The Award Recipient will be announced at the International Thespian Excellence Awards (“ThespysTM”) Showcase, at the closing of EdTA’s International Thespian Festival, the premier summer theatre intensive for high-achieving students and their teachers.
Notification Date of Award Recipients
June 4, 2023
Click here to apply or submit your nomination
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS COMPETITION. Void where prohibited by law and outside the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This Award is subject to all federal, state and local laws, regulations, and ordinances.