The Founders Awards were established in honor of those who first chartered the Midwest Regional Section of USITT. The Board of Directors chooses to honor those men by annually recognizing both a student and a regular member for their service to our Section or for their hard work and enthusiasm in pursuing a career in Technical Theatre.

The Midwest Regional Section of the Institute accepts nominations for the Founders Awards. There are two award categories: Student and Section Member.

Student Award

Active Section members may nominate their students to receive a monetary award of not less than $250.00 and a one year Membership in the Section. Students may be either High School Seniors or College Undergraduates.

The criteria for nomination are:

• Active in the High School or College Technical Theatre program;
• Intent to pursue a career in Technical Theatre or related field;
• Provide the Founders Award Committee with a current resume;
• Write a brief statement of their goals in Technical Theatre;
• Students who are nominated need not be a current member of the Section;

Section Member Award

Active Section members may nominate one of their fellows for this award. The award consists of a plaque briefly detailing the member's contributions to the Midwest Regional Section and a Lifetime membership in the Section. Nominations must be made and seconded by current active members.

Criteria for nomination are:

• Active member of the Section
• Outstanding contributions to the Section in the form of participation, growth of the Section, service to the Section and assistance in achievement of Section goals;

How to Nominate

Student Award: Fill out the nomination form (PDF) completely and return to the following address:

Awards Committee
Leroy Stoner, Chair
Peck School of the Arts
UWM Box 413
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0413

or by e-mail to: lstoner@uwm.edu

The committee will contact the nominee requesting the criteria information listed above.

Section Member Award

• Fill out the nomination form completely;
• Secure a second for your nomination and mail;
• Fax or e-mail as above;
• Multiple nominations for the same Section member will be considered as seconded;

Nomination Deadline

All nominations must be received by November 15 of each year. Awards will be presented at the Midwest Section meeting at the USITT Conference and Stage Expo.