Tommy Tune Awards – Volunteer Adjudicators
Celebrating Excellence, Guiding Growth
The Tommy Tune Awards wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of volunteer adjudicators—arts educators, theatre professionals, and community leaders who bring their expertise to evaluating high school musical theatre across Greater Houston. By attending performances, offering constructive feedback, and scoring using a standardized rubric, adjudicators not only help recognize excellence but also provide invaluable guidance that supports student growth.
Serving as an adjudicator is both an honor and a responsibility—your insight helps shape one of the largest high school theatre programs in the country and contributes to Houston’s cultural vibrancy.
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What We’re Looking For
Adjudicators are
- Experienced in theatre, education, or the arts, with a strong understanding of performance and production elements.
- Committed to fairness, equity, and encouraging young artists.
- Available to attend productions across Greater Houston during the adjudication period. Able to provide timely, constructive, and professional feedback.
Important Dates (2026-27 School Year)
- Monday, August 31: Adjudicator sign up opens
- Friday, September 11: Adjudicator sign up closes
- Saturday, September 12: Interest Form Opens
- Saturday, September 19: Adjudicator mandatory training option 1 @ 2PM
- Monday, September 21: Adjudicator mandatory training option 2 @ 2PM
- Thursday, October 1: Tommy Tune Award Adjudication Starts
Requirements for Adjudicators
- Adjudicators should be growth focused, fair, and collaborative with a desire to enhance the value of arts education in Houston.
- Proficiently experienced in professional theatre, performance, direction, dance, design, dramaturgy, arts administration, arts education, etc.
- Have strong verbal and written communication skills.
- It is recommended that Adjudicators evaluate at least three school performances, if not more.
- Adjudicators must attend the calibration training.
- Adjudicators cannot be a current member of a subsidiary group of TUTS.
- Adjudicators cannot be faculty or non-faculty of a participating Tommy Tune Awards school for the current year.
- Adjudicators cannot be a TUTS full-time staff member for the current year.
- Adjudicators must not be an employee within the same district or at the same campus of the school being adjudicated.
- Adjudicators must not be affiliated in any way with a participating school for the current year.
- Every adjudicator must leave a score for all required adjudicated categories.
- All adjudicators must leave constructive feedback that is in alignment with the assigned score.
- Adjudicators must be at least 21 years of age.
- Adjudicators must complete a COI prior to adjudicating the first show.
- Adjudicators cannot adjudicate a show that they have previously adjudicated for one year ago.
- Adjudicators must feel comfortable using digital platforms for feedback, scoring, and communication.
By agreeing to serve as a TTA adjudicator, you are agreeing to have all feedback submitted within two weeks of the performance. Failure to do so will forfeit the following:
- One complimentary ticket to the TTA
- Adjudication offered stipend
- Future opportunities with TUTS as a TTA Adjudicator
CANCELATION PROCESS: Adjudicators will be responsible for finding a substitute adjudicator if they have to cancel within a week of their scheduled adjudication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do adjudicators receive compensation?
No, this is a volunteer role. Adjudicators give their time in support of Houston’s students and schools.
How many shows will I be expected to see?
Typically, each adjudicator is assigned 5–7 productions during the adjudication window.
Can I choose which schools I attend?
Assignments are made to ensure fairness and balance, though scheduling preferences will be considered when possible.
What kind of feedback do adjudicators provide?
Adjudicators submit scores using a standardized rubric and provide short written feedback highlighting strengths and opportunities for growth.
Do adjudicators need to be based in Houston?
Yes. Adjudicators must be available to attend live productions in the Greater Houston area.
Who can I contact for more details?
Reach out to the TUTS Education team at education@tuts.org or call 713-558-8801.