Theatre Puget Sound announces People’s Choice Nominations for The Second Annual GREGORY AWARDS

What: From August 1^st 2010 until August 31^st 2010, Theatre Puget Sound (TPS) will open nominations for the 2010 Gregory Awards for Theatrical Excellence. For the first time, in 2010, any Washington State resident will have the opportunity to nominate one candidate in each category.

How: To submit a candidate for nomination, the public must sign up at www.seattleperforms.com byJuly 31^st, 2010 for the free Seattle Performs monthly e-newsletter subscription. All subscribers to the newsletter who have signed up by July 31, 2010 will be sent a unique link to an online form where they can write in their nomination(s). Current e-newsletter subscribers do not need to sign up again; they will receive a ballot automatically via email. The candidate receiving the most votes (in each category) will appear on the final ballot alongside the other nominees, and will be referred to as the People’s Choice nominee.

Why: The Gregory Awards are an opportunity to celebrate theatre in our region, honor the outstanding achievements of local artists, and to raise the visibility of the local theatre scene as a whole. Opening up nominations to the general public encourages audience participation with their local theaters, allows theater lovers to recognize their favorite theater artists, and ensures that the final list of nominees on the ballot is truly reflective of the outstanding work taking place throughout the region.

When: Nomination ballot links will be emailed the week of August 1^st, 2010. Nominations will be open until August 31^st, 2010.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Theater companies are encouraged to generate audience enthusiasm and support for productions and artists in their season (productions taking place from August 1^st, 2009 to July 31^st 2010)
• For ideas on how to promote your theater/production or help with any part of this process, please contact Rebecca Olson at GregoryPress@tpsonline.org.

The 2010 Award Categories open for nomination are:

Outstanding Actor Outstanding Actress Outstanding Director Outstanding Production Theater of the Year Person to Watch

Outstanding Costume Designer (new!) Outstanding Lighting Designer (new!) Outstanding Music & Sound Designer (new!) Outstanding Scenic Designer (new!) Outstanding Playwright (new!)

For More Information:

Visit www.GregoryAwards.org for more details on the Gregory Awards.

For press inquiries, please contact Rebecca Olson at GregoryPress@tpsonline.org.