The Egg, Royal Theatre Bath, left, was an Honor Award winner in the 2007 USITT Architecture Awards composition. Information, including nomination forms, for the 2008 Architecture Award process is now available.

Photo/Jamie Luck - TRB

New construction, renovation, or creative adaptation of existing spaces for performance are all eligible for consideration as part of the 2008 USITT Architecture Awards program. Now in its 15th year, the USTT Architecture Awards remain the only program in the world devoted exclusively to recognizing excellence in the design of theatre projects. Entries in the past several years have involved a global reach, with winning venues from the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Submission deadline is November 2, 2007 for 2008 awards. USITT's Architecture Commission administers the adjudication process and is seeking increased participation in the program.

Any building project completed in the past 10 years is eligible for consideration. Submissions most often come from architects and theatre consultants involved in specific projects, but building owners such as universities or non-profit organizations can either encourage their architects to submit projects or submit them directly to the awards program.

Architecture Commissioner John Prokos, FAIA and Vice-Commissioner for Awards William Murray, AIA have named Thomas Payne OAA, FRAIC, AIA, to lead the adjudication process for the 2008 awards.

Mr. Payne, a founding partner of Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects, has led the design for many significant theatre projects such as the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Sprague Memorial Hall at Yale University School of Music, and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. The Young Centre received an Honor Award in the 2007 USITT Architecture Awards program.

The Architecture Awards are open to any new construction or renovation completed since January 1, 1997. The USITT Architecture Awards jury will evaluate projects on creativity, contextual resonance, functional operation, exploration of new technologies, and community contribution.

Submission information, requirements, and entry forms are available here or by contacting Ashley Austin, USITT Administrative Assistant, at 800-938-7488 or ashley@office.usitt.org.

Jurors are expected to meet in November, and all those submitting entries will be notified of results in December. Representatives of projects chosen to receive Honor or Merit awards will be invited guests of USITT at the Annual Conference & Stage Expo to be held March 19 to 22 in Houston, Texas where the awards will be presented. Award winners are also featured in a special exhibit at Stage Expo.

All entries are used as the basis for a special Conference session to review aspects of the selection process, and projects from the United States may be considered for inclusion in future exhibits of work, including the 2011 Prague Quadrennial.

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