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.
- 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.
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.
Questions? Email dash@emact.org!
- 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!