In an effort to share the wealth, Theatre LA is considering a number of major changes to its rules for the Ovation Awards, the prestigious members-only theatre honor which the organization sponsors each year. The changes, will be voted on by the Theatre LA board on Apr. 16, include increasing the number of awards given, broadening the voter pool to give fairer representation to outlying areas, and eliminating the conflict-of-interest rule. In addition, several categories would be added and eliminated.
While in the past certain categories received entrant totals in the hundreds-247 artists competed for best director last year-and presented only one honoree, the proposed changes would mandate three awards in any category with more than 50 entrants. This is no small change. In 1999, 13 categories received more than 50 entrants. Under the new rule, therefore, those 13 awards would now increase to 39, stretching what is already a lengthy awards ceremony.
But the most controversial change involves getting rid of the conflict-of-interest rule, which encourages voters to disqualify themselves from voting on productions in which they are somehow involved. Jon Lawrence Rivera, who heads the committee that has been reviewing suggested changes since 1999, recently told the L.A. Times that not only is the rule unenforceable but it is also something of an anomaly as show-biz award voting goes-few other awards make such voting illegal. As it stands, the Ovations vote-counting computer is programmed to reject ballots cast by voters for theatres they represent. If the new rules are approved, such voting would no longer present an issue.
Also under the new rules, the voter pool would be increased from 121 to 170 voters, bringing in more representation from areas such as Long Beach and La Mirada, where producers often feel they can't attract the minimum eight voters needed for the show to be considered. Theatre LA would also seek an increased number of voters from the underrepresented design professions, and add the rule that no voter would be allowed to serve for more than three years without taking a year off.
Other changes include deleting awards for new translation-adaptation, separating the "world premiere" and writing categories into one award for plays and another for musicals, and creating new categories for solo performance and writing, musical direction, and "visiting/touring" productions. All tours that begin in other locations would be eligible only for the visiting/touring honor-making the Ovations more L.A.-centric than before.