Vote now for the Column Theatre Awards

Blair Lovern, says:

John posted some answers to FAQs about the Column Awards:

<b>Q</b>: Can you or any of your board members see how we vote in The Column Awards? Can you see whom we voted for?

<b>A</b>: No. A big no! That's why I made sure to out source all of the ballot and it's voting. The ballot, voting, and voting results are all calculated and handle by R2 Creations. My board and myself cannot ask the ballot team to show us how "so and so" voted. Your votes are kept completely private and secured.

<b>Q</b>: Does a show have to be reviewed by you to get nominated?

<b>A</b>: No. The first two years it was only shows that I did review that were deemed eligible. But that all changed as THE COLUMN grew. Now any show is eligible in the metroplex, as long as that theater company sent in their ballot info.

<b>Q</b>: Why have Equity and Non-Equity? Can't you combine them together?

<b>A</b>: Good question here! This was actually brought up within the board, we had alot of heated discussions on this, then voted on it- and left it as is. The theory here is that there are such major dramatic differences between the larger, equity companies versus the smaller ones that it wasn't fair to have them compete against each other. It also spreads the wealth much more around.

<b>Q</b>: Why do we see some theater companies have more nominations than others?

<b>A</b>: Excellent question! It's actually due to one major factor as to why some theater companies tend to receive alot of nominations than others-subscribers!

Several theater companies have tons of subscribers that work for them, both in front and behind the curtain.

Also several companies have on their audition forms now "Are you a subscriber to THE COLUMN?", with info on how to sign up. Another major factor is word of mouth within casts. This helps in that theater company's chances of making it into the final nominations. That's why I urge, plead, and beg companies to get their casts to join THE COLUMN, that way they have the support.

<b>Q</b>: Since you're an actor too, are you eligible for a Column award?

<b>A</b>: No. Any show in which I was in the cast, I immediately take myself off the ballot. Why? Well I think that it would be very unprofessional and vulgar that as the founder/creator of The Column Awards that I would allow himself to get an award. I didn't create these awards for myself whatsoever. I created them for the theater community at large.

However, the show in which I was part of-the rest of those actors, the production staff, and the show itself are still eligible. Only me myself am off the ballot.

My board of directors are all performers, designers, etc. as well. They however are eligible to be put on the ballot. They did not create the awards, but work on the gala and serve as the governing board. They however have NO access whatsoever to the ballot or its system.

<b>Q</b>: Why choose BC/EFA as your charity and not some local one?

<b>A</b>: I wanted to someone give back to our own community - the theater world. BCEFA is so well known and respected, plus in their annual report they show which AIDS charities within the metroplex does the money go to. Thus, it does help our own local charities.

We've lost many within our own theater families to AIDS, I wanted to somehow honor and always remember them.

Finally, being a part of BCEFA has opened alot of doors for us in regards to guest stars, coverage, etc.

<b>Q</b>: I heard you have several celebrities that are column subscribers, is that true?

<b>A</b>: That is true. Several stars of film, television, and Broadway are subscribers to THE COLUMN. But out of respect for their privacy, I do not tell people who they are. But if you are faithful readers to THE COLUMN, you can pretty well tell whom by my comments. lol.

There are also quite a few subscribers who work and perform on Broadway that are subscribers too. I am honored to also say that I have several who originated roles in a landmark Broadway musical that are subscribers.

Many of them joined either from reading the Broadway reviews or due to AMERICAN IDOL. That's right-AMERICAN IDOL! In fact, that's how one major star joined THE COLUMN, this celebrity really is an AI fanatic, and someone in the ensemble gave "him" a copy of THE COLUMN with my nightly comments on the performances of that night's AI round of competition. He really liked them and joined up. I was dumbfounded when I got his email.

Several Broadway cast members/subscribers are MAJOR AI fans, so they get a kick out of the weekly comments during the competition. lol.

Thank you everyone for your questions! Got a question? Email your editor at: pseudolusjohn at hotmail.com