Straw Man Awards

"Do you think you have what it takes to be a Finley Adjudicator?"

So reads the bold question in a recent missive from the ITA committee seeking nominations for adjudicators. Not entirely sure what it takes to be an adjudicator these days, I read on. That was a mistake.

The ITA are looking for "committed, dedicated individuals". From the letter that's apparently all there is to being an adjudicator.

"No experience necessary."

No experience necessary? I can only hope this is an oblique reference to experience as an adjudicator. But I read on in vain for any indication that some theatrical experience was required or even likely to be considered.

Four dot points list the only other requirements provided in the missive. In a nutshell:

1) you can't direct or produce a play entered for the awards in 2005.

2) you are expected to see every entered production; approx. 40

3) no pay but some expenses

4) you must attend meetings every 6-8 weeks

Apparently no experience is necessary because these are the only things that really matter.

I argued in February that the adjudication process was running off the rails :

http://theatre.asn.au/read.php?f=18&i=3292&t=3283

Rather than choosing adjudicators based on their skills, experience, insights and the quality of their judgement we're apparently stuck with whoever is able to fit the narrow requirements listed above.

Personally I think we need to rename these to Straw Man Awards. The adjudication system has been turned inside out in order to counter "straw man" arguments that I'm not aware anyone has been seriously complaining about. E.g. too many adjudicators.

Finally, over the last 12 years of criticising the awards I've endeavoured to offer constructive suggestions. I've been disappointed at the lack of dialogue over the latest changes. Here's my latest offering anyway:

Ditch the adjudication altogether.

Embrace the popular vote.

Preserve the mystery.

Double the attendance at the Finley Awards overnight!

Have the Finley Award audience decide the winners on the night of the awards.

Give every person attending the awards a voting slip marked with the name of their club.

Every person attending can vote for any three productions. Two votes worth one point each and one vote worth five points that can only be assigned to a production at another company.

Cheers
Grant

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