Broadway Buzz: What Does It Mean to be a Tony Voter?

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Last week, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center’s President Susan Stockton hada chance to chat about her role as a voting member of the Tony Awards®. It was a very busy time as she had just returned from a weekin New York, attending the Broadway League Conference and squeezing in everypossible Tony-nominated performance before she casts her votes. 
But just whatdoes it mean to be a Tony voter?

Fox Cities P.A.C. President Susan Stockton

Q: How do you get to be a Tony voter?Stockton: The criteria for who can be a Tonyvoter changes from time to time, but basically it’s divided into twocategories: presenters and producers. Obviously, I fall into the category ofpresenter based on my work here at the Center. Initially, you have to berecommended by a current Tony voter and submit an extensive resume, highlightingyour theater background. I first became a Tony voter during the 2004/05 Season,and now each year, I have to annually re-qualify based on the number ofeligible Broadway weeks we present at the Fox Cities P.A.C.
Q: How many Tony voters are there?Stockton: The numbers vary somewhat from yearto year, but it’s generally between 750-800. This year, I think there are 830 qualifiedvoters.
Q: How does the Tony voting processwork?Stockton: The Tony season actually runs fromJuly through a cut-off date that’s set in April. Early in the year, qualifying Tonyvoters are sent a signature card to verify their authenticity against theirballot later in the year, and from there you see as many shows as possible. Inthe interest of keeping travel expenses in check, I try to see 5-8 shows everytime I’m in New York. On my most recent trip, I saw 11 shows back to back.
From there, Igo home and spend quite a lot of time considering my experience at the show andhow it resonated with the audience. I review scripts and scores and otherpromotional materials that the producers may send. It’s much more than justseeing a show and then casting a vote. I have to consider the outstandingfeatures and merits of each show and qualify those against the other nominees.After a lot of deliberation, I cast my vote in the mail.
One of theamazing things about the Tonys is that votes are due on Friday, June 8, leavingonly two days to calculate the winners before the live show on June 10. It’samazing how quickly the awards come together.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BALLOT FOR THE 2012 TONY AWARDS
Q. What, to you, makes a show Tonyworthy?Stockton: My votes are focused on the art formrather than an interest in the show’s success. I look for shows that arethoughtfully put together and which clearly show that the creative teaminvested a lot of energy in its development. I like interesting shows andproductions that are relevant and compelling. For me, theater has to resonatewith an audience and really engage people to earn my vote.  Q. Do you have any favorites thisseason? What is your all-time favorite Broadway show?Stockton: I don’t have favorites, this year orthinking in terms of all-time. I think this year there are a lot of great showsand some really stunning performances. It’s an especially rich play season, andthere are quite a few plays, which is terrific. But I think as theatergoers, weattach ourselves to a work at a certain point of time, and it’s powerfulbecause it resonates to our frame of mind.
I rememberone play titled Journey’s End a fewyears ago. It was beautifully staged and well acted, and it took place in thetrenches of World War I. It resonated so well because the country was at war,and that made it especially poignant and moving. But I wouldn’t say it’s myfavorite today because my frame of mind has shifted since then. It’s always achanging landscape, and I think that’s the challenge of theater – to tap intosomething that’s eternally relevant.

Q. How does your connection with the Tony Awards apply to your role at the FoxCities P.A.C.?Stockton: Being a part of the Tony Awards isimportant for any organization that wants to present high quality, eligibleshows. First, it drives you to make sure you are seeing every show you canevery year. Overtime, seeing the current shows adds to your cannon of knowledgeand gives you the tools to be conversant in dialogue with producers.
It alsohelps me gauge a production’s quality because the touring shows, while they arenot exact copies of the Broadway productions, have the same elements of designand choreography. You become familiar with the creative teams and the actorsand actresses, and it’s good to be familiar with their work when they head outon tour.
All of theknowledge and involvement helps me, as a representative of the Center, as webuild our Broadway seasons. It’s highly competitive, and I think it certainlygives the Center an edge to have a staff well-versed in the current theatertrends on Broadway and around the country.