Adjudication

The Nebraska High School Theater Academy provides participating schools the opportunity for up to three local performing arts professionals to provide educationally focused written feedback on their performances.

If interested in adjudication, please fill out the Production Information Form (below) and return it to NHSTA@O-pa.org no later than one month prior to your performance. We cannot guarantee adjudication for late forms.

How It Works: 

1. Complete Production Information Form: If you are interested in adjudication for your show, please complete the Production Information Form (below) and send to NHSTA@O-pa.org at least 4 weeks before your show opens. We cannot guarantee adjudication if we receive a late form. 
2. Reserve Tickets: Once we receive your form, we will schedule up to 3 adjudicators to attend your production and email you the dates/times adjudicators plan to attend. Please be prepared to hold up to 6 tickets (2 per adjudicator x up to 3 adjudicators) under the name "O-pa Adjudicator." Please note that the adjudication panel may or may not attend the same performance and tickets should be held for the performance date/time requested by O-pa staff.
3. Receive Feedback: Adjudicators will submit written feedback to O-pa staff within 5 business days of attending your show. O-pa staff will proof feedback to ensure quality and consistency. O-pa staff will email you the final, proofed feedback approximately 2 weeks after the show.

Feedback (for any high school and middle school musical, one-act or play)

Adjudicators will complete a comprehensive response to the performance. Feedback will include praise and constructive criticism, focusing on a production’s strengths and opportunities for growth. Omaha Performing Arts staff members will email feedback to directors. Feedback is intended to serve as a learning tool for directors and students. Our goal is to provide you and your students with high-quality feedback that celebrates students’ work and encourages them to grow.

Scores

Adjudicators will score various production elements. These scores will be used to determine award recipients in various categories. Schools producing a musical for award consideration should perform between Thursday, August 17, 2023, and Sunday, May 5, 2024. Omaha Performing Arts staff members will notify award-winning schools and students with further information the week of May 6, 2024.

Confidentiality

Written feedback and scoring will be submitted through a secure online form. Please note that adjudicators will not provide oral critiques, nor should schools expect to receive scores. Please do not contact adjudicators with questions. All inquiries should be directed to O-pa staff.

Videos

We are asking that all schools who wish to be considered for awards (i.e. anyone whose musical receives written feedback and scores) make best efforts to submit an archival video for O-pa to keep on hand in case of ties. Omaha Performing Arts will contact Licensing Houses for the rights to record the production. 

Video adjudication is also available!

Pre-Show Evaluation

NHSTA schools can request to have a professional adjudicator provide oral feedback on their musical, play, or one-act at any point in the rehearsal process. Pre-show evaluations are offered as an additional learning opportunity and are NOT connected to the formal adjudication process, scores or awards. Schools are responsible for scheduling pre-show evaluations. For a full list of pre-show evaluators, their contact information and area of expertise please email NHSTA@O-pa.org. 

If you are an adjudicator who has completed a pre-show evaluation, please click here to fill out the survey. 

Interested in becoming an adjudicator?

The Nebraska High School Theater Academy is looking for local performing arts professionals to provide educationally-focused feedback on musicals, plays and one-acts.

Fill out the application below. Please be prepared to send your performing arts resume. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Apply now

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