Special Awards

Nominations should include sufficient supporting documentation to allow the NHTA Board to fully evaluate the nominated candidate. A successful nomination should include an essay making the case for the nominee, supporting materials to document or illustrate assertions made in the nominating essay, and contact information for the nominee.

For all Special Awards, please refer to the Policy and Procedures in the Public Documents for full information.

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Click Here to Submit a Nomination

Francis Grover Cleveland Award for Lifetime Achievement

This is an award for a lifetime of service to the New Hampshire theatrical arts community, though it does not imply that the person's contributions have ended or declined. The award was named for the founder of The Barnstormers Summer Theatre, the nation's oldest summer stock theatre company, still operating in Tamworth.

When evaluating candidates, the board may consider:

What was the extent of reach of the candidate’s impact on theatre in NH?
How long has the candidate been making an impact in NH?
What sort of lasting impact or legacy can we expect in NH from the candidate’s work?

Award for Significant Contribution to the Performing Arts in New Hampshire

This is an award for individuals or organizations that, through completion of a single project or through their ongoing work, have made a significant and lasting contribution to the performing arts community in New Hampshire. Examples may include completion of large capital projects that significantly expand the footprint of the NH performing arts community or substantive ongoing work that makes significant new resources available to members of the NH performing arts community.

Click Here to Submit a Nomination

Click Here to Submit a Nomination

Kevin Riley New Hampshire Theatre Hero Award

This is an award for individuals whose work has had a substantial and broad impact on the New Hampshire performing arts community outside of any single theatre company or project, with a special emphasis on community building. The award is named in the memory of Kevin Riley, an accomplished director and beloved member of the Southern New Hampshire theatre community. Over many years he served such varied roles as President of the New Hampshire Theatre Guild, director of the summer Shakespeare In The Park program in Nashua’s Greely Park, and principal organizer of the NHTA adjudication program.

Recognition of Special Achievement in Youth Theatre

This award is given in recognition of a special achievement in the area of youth theatre. It may be given to individuals or entire organizations. Candidates for this awards may be nominated by the general public.An award winner may be selected by the NHTA board after consideration of each nominated candidate. Candidates will be evaluated on the

scope and depth of the impact their work has had on children and young adults in New Hampshire. Preference will be given to candidates whose work creates substantially new levels of access to theatre education or other theatre resources to a specific youth community in New Hampshire. The NHTA board reserves the right to not name a winner in years it determines a suitable candidate was not nominated.

Click Here to Submit a Nomination

Recognition of Excellence in Playwriting

This award is given by a special reading committee of the NHTA Board to one or more playwrights in recognition of excellence in playwriting. Candidates for this award are nominated by our participating companies. A company may nominate any play that: