What is DASH?

DASH (Distinguished Achievement and Special Honors) is a year-end awards program sponsored by EMACT as a way of recognizing outstanding performance and production values as displayed by its member groups during the theater season.
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  • The DASH 'year' runs from July 1 - June 30.
  • EMACT member groups submit their productions to a panel of experienced theater Consultants, two of whom (randomly assigned) will then score them in performance and design categories. Each Consultant's scoring comprises 50% of the total score in each category.
  • Consultants coordinate with the producing company to attend a performance. The producing company is required to provide each Consultant two complimentary tickets for the performance of their choice.
  • Scores tabulated at the end of the season identify the top 3-6 entries in each category as nominees for the season, which are announced in July. The top score is then awarded the "DASH" at our Annual Gala in August. 
  • Participation in the DASH program does NOT guarantee receipt of any nominations or awards. 
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What's new for the 2021-22 Season?

In 2020, EMACT surveyed its members about the current state of the DASH program, and received extensive feedback which has informed a number of important changes to the Program. These changes will go into effect for the 2021-22 Season starting on July 1, 2021.
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  • There will be one payment structure for DASH, with all DASH applications at $75 each, replacing the Basic, Enhanced, and Enhanced Plus levels of Membership.
  • We have eliminated the "DASH Plus" membership level and instead, every group that submits a production to DASH will receive written comments from the DASH Consultants who attended the production.
  • These comments will be sent to and available for the entire production team.
  • A post-DASH survey will be sent to the provided contact and members of the production team.
  • All shows will be randomly assigned to Consultants, and Consultant names and contact numbers will be provided to the submitting group.
  • EMACT has created a DASH Review Team, which will annually assess our Consultants on: writing quality; consistency of the writing to the ballot; quality of feedback given to the group.

Questions? Email dash@emact.org!