Full disclosure: I am a judge for the current (2017-2018) season, and I was a nominator for the 2016-2017 season. I'm also a theater critic in Philadelphia, so I tend to see pretty much everything in the city from self-produced Fringe shows to the major productions at WST, Arden, Wilma, etc.
The system has largely remained unchanged: 8 nominators are assigned to see each eligible production in previews, and their votes determine whether it moves to the judging stage. If it moves to the judges, we are told to see it and may do so at any time for the remainder of the run. Based on my records, 16 productions have been "Barrymore recommended" to date this season, and I have seen all so far.
Of course, not every judge sees every show in a given season, but we all make the effort to see as many as we can. Judges are not permitted to vote for shows they worked on, or shows they didn't see. (In fact, at judges' meetings, judges are required to leave the room if a show they worked on is being discussed).
This past year, I know that Theatre Philadelphia increased the number of nominators from 50 to 60 (the number of judges remained the same: 12), and made a more conscious effort towards diversity and representation.
I hope this helps in demystifying the process a little. |
