Heckler Awards

If you liked my awards on my blog last year then you'll be happy to know that my new online zine will be hosting them and making them bigger and better!

These awards are to celebrate local artists in Hong Kong that create theatre and dance. No tours allowed! Nominations begin June 15th and the ceremony will be on September 3rd at Bisous!

Here's the link to the open nomination ballot:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9J56KFX

You can nominate up to 5 persons/shows in each category.

To find out more about the awards and the categories, I recommend you go to my new blog and check out the post that has all the details and has the sign up for where you can get your final ballot.

You can also sign up for the newsletter there. We'll be sending out the invites for the awards party through our mailing list, so make sure you sign up!

http://www.hkeld.com/articles/view/the-20122013-hecklers

HK Arts Awards 2011-2012 THE WINNERS!

Thanks to everyone for all their support during this project! It's been an enlightening experiment.
Congratulations to all the winners. If you were not present at the awards ceremony I have a little something for you as an award. If anyone tonight picked up an award "in honor" of an absentee please pass it onto them. They were not expensive but they were made with love.

I hope you had fun! I know I did!

Awards Ceremony Wednesday!!!!

This awards process has gotten so much larger than I ever thought it would. I always considered it a little dog and pony show that no one really cared about except for the people in the community and their close friends. Now, I see that the community of Hong Kong does really care about the quality of the shows and is extremely knowledgeable about what they like and what they don't like. People who watch theatre are just as smart as the people who make it and we should be honored that they have taken the time to vote for us in the categories we were nominated in. We have over 600 votes in the part one the survey! Can you believe that?!! Sure, it could just be one over enthusiastic person voting at every Pacific Coffee in town but I prefer to think that it's our dedicated audience members and fans who want to see us rewarded for all the hard work we put into our performances.

More times than not, the artists in this town are not paid for the work and I'm hoping that this award will just give them a little pat on the back and a fun night at the bar with the community.

Please invite all your friends that voted to come to THE CANNY MAN, Wednesday June 13th at 8pm for the ceremony! We would love to see people from all walks of the art community in town on Wednesday and I have NO DESIRE to stand up and talk for an hour by myself presenting these things so if you would like to be a presenter please leave a comment here or shoot me a PM. I would love a variety in the presenters, if possible!

Nominees- Best Theatre for Youth

Don't know if some of you are aware of this fact or not. The number one grossing part of the theatre industry is Theatre for Youth productions! (Easily.) It's a multi-billion dollar part of the industry that encompasses some major players such as Disney Corp and all the major Shakespeare Festivals in the US. It is a huge part of our industry and it is the money from school's and parents that often keeps our business' afloat in these tough economic times. It would be remiss of us to not honor some great Children's performers and producers in our city.

If one of your major target audiences in a production is those under 18 then your production can also be considered Theatre for Youth. (Hello, Grant money!!!) Using theatre as a tool to help teacher's in a classroom is an awesome power we have as performers.

There are generally two types of Theatre for Youth. Theatre which stars kids, such as YAF's production of Spring Awakening or productions starring adults created for children's audiences. Neither style is better than the other. It is like comparing apples to oranges. However, you nominated both styles in this category--- so you have to choose which is better! (haha!) 

Serious credit also must be given to Theatre for Youth companies in HK who often produce their own originally created work which is an arduous task. 

Nominees- Best Bit Role

These actors took on lines that didn't have a lot of lines or stage time but left a huge impression on the audience that watched them. They had short and sweet parts in their productions.  Some were funny, some were sad, some were sexy... Just because the part was small didn't mean they didn't make a huge impression on the community!

Nominees- Best Actor

Some people think that men have it easy in the theatre business. That it's a lot easier for them to audition and get parts because there are less of them compared to us females. I don't think that is the case. People have really high expectations for what men can do on stage. You have to be funny, sexy and assertive all in one. You have to appear strong. All the guys who are nominated have that special something that make them one of the "best" of Hong Kong. They have that spark that makes them interesting as a performer to watch and great as a performer to work with.

I am missing a show photo and show poster of one of the nominees so I have subbed something in.

Nominees- Best Supporting Actress

Supporting Parts can sometimes make or break a show. I'm a firm believer in the team effort of the theatrical experience. There is no small part only small actors (and penises). All these amazing women made great additions to their casts and were nominated as Best Supporting Actress nominees. Once again we have a variety of styles to choose between! Pick your poison ladies and gentlemen!

Nominees- Best Actress

Best Actress was a difficult category for people to vote for. We have a plethora of extremely talented women in this city. These women are the best of the best. We have all sorts of different actresses nominated from women who played multiple characters to Cantonese Performers to musical performers to serious drama and Shakespeare. You can't really make a wrong choice. Just pick which one makes you happiest. All these women are incredibly talented!

Once again, I don't have photos of all the productions but have done my best to sub in show posters and youtubes where available. 

Nominees- Best New Comer

I don't have photos of all the nominees in this category! But I will insert the show poster where I am missing them. All these actors have been new to the HK Acting scene in the 2011-2012 year. New talent should be encouraged! Breaking into the scene here can be a little frustrating as open casting calls have become fewer and farther between with the recent rise in venue prices. These actors have risen to the occasion and become breakout talents in this year! I know we will see a lot more of them!

Nominees- Best Supporting Actor

All these men are great chameleons! They are able to play many different types of characters! Some have been in the scene for a while and some are newer to us. They obviously have large fan bases because so many of you voted for them we had a tie and had to have 6 nominees! And there is a funny story about one of their nominations, please keep reading... I don't have show photos for all the gentlemen so I'm doing my best by subbing with show posters. Nominees, if you send me a show photo later I will come back and edit the post with time willing.

I'm doing these articles in my free time. They are very time consuming. Thanks to all the artists who have sent me photos of themselves. I will get to all of your categories as quickly as I'm working as quickly as I can. Thanks!

Nominees- Best Designer

These are the nomination for Best Designer. We have a couple set designers, a couple production designers, a lighting designer. All aspects of design are an important part of the theatre experience. These people (included myself, thanks for nominating me!) work hard in a town where spaces are expensive, we don't get a lot of time for cue to cues and we work on really small budgets. Show some techie love!

Nominees- Best Musical

Now, I did not see all the wonderful nominees that you all voted for! But obviously they made some kind of impression because this was the category that we had the most nominations in! You all must love your musicals! I don't have show photos of all the nominees but I do have some links to some helpful articles, reviews and some youtube videos! Thanks Satoshi for letting me link to your reviews, somebody loves their musicals... Hopefully this will help you all in making your decision if you're having issues deciding.

Best Charity Production Nominees

I don't have show photos for all these nominees! But I have all the posters which should help jog your memory on what the experience was like! What matters about these productions is that portions of the proceeds from these productions went to help great charities! Combining Art with a great cause should be encouraged and one of these great shows should be rewarded for all the hard work they did helping others through their craft. This awards process is supposed to be fun! I wanted to reward people for all their hard work all year long! Don't take it all that seriously people, it's not a bomb...

Best Local Visual Artist Nominees

Here are the nominees for best local artist. Since we didn't get enough nominations for the category I tried to pick a variety of mediums for you to pick between. We have a gallery manager, a zine artist/graphic designer, a sculptor, a urban sketch artist and a multi-media artist. Pick your poison or pick one at random. All are valid mediums and all are up and coming artists in the scene. You can always find out about new and upcoming local artists on Hong Kong Art Web, which is one of the best sources for local artists to display their work. Here are just some samples of their work but you can always find out more about these artists via their own personal websites and blogs! Just google them, la!

Best Show Nominees

Best Show Nominees!

I couldn't find a photo online of Iron but I was able to find a youtube promo.

All of these photos belong to the artists who helped create these productions. They are in no way my property I'm just loading them up here to help people who are asking to see examples of the work. Please use these as tools to help you make your decisions on who to vote for!

Best Band Nominees

To help people who are having trouble picking people in the music category. 

Here are the youtubes for the Best Band Nominees. Give them a listen and make yourself knowledgeable of some of the best local talent in the music industry in Hong Kong. We tried to pick different genres and styles when we picked our selection. I believe it is good to observe and learn new things every day as an artist. Experience something new today courtesy of me! If you don't like any of them then pick one at random! (You can always pick No One Remains a Virgin for having an awesome name!!!)

 YOU MUST VOTE IN EVERY CATEGORY!
 Just like people do in the Academy and at the Tonies and at the Grammys. Do you really think 50 cent knows much about the bluegrass albums? NO! But he votes for them!) Do you research. Ignorance is NOT Bliss despite what they say!

Online Voting Starts Today!

Link for Part One of the Awards!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8VSDWPR

Part Two...
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/876KL3C

You can only vote once in each category and you may only vote for one person! Votes are always welcome by email at meaghan.mcgurgan@gmail.com or PMed to the facebook account if you would prefer.

VOTING CLOSES JUNE 10th!

Nominations for HK Arts: Best of Hong Kong 2011-2012

THE PUBLIC HAS CAST THEIR BALLOTS AND DECIDED WHO IS THE BEST OF THE BEST IN HONG KONG'S ART SCENE...  DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER!

Below are the nominations for HK Arts: Best of Hong Kong 2011-2012. This was an open nomination process. We had hundreds of emails sent to us by members of the community. Although a lot of people just seemed to be nominating themselves (you know who you are), most of you took some serious thought about who you thought were the best. I deeply appreciate the time it took for you to fill the nomination form out. I know it was tough because when I filled mine out it was a arduous task.

Ballots were not only counted by me but by an outside source not associated with the art community. The nominees are listed in no particular order. We would love to have photos for the blog of any nominated show. If we are Facebook friends could you please tag us so we can upload them? It is for a future article so that people can make informed voting decisions.

Three categories did not have 5 artists nominated in them: Local Band, Local Visual Artist and Best Reoccurring Audience Member. I find this to be a little sad that people don't know 5 local visual artists/musicians so I took it upon myself to fill in the missing gaps to make it five. Do your part and research them before the voting begins! We were only missing one nomination in Audience Member category so I filled it in with something I know we all love and cherish in our community. *please tell me you can read sarcasm!*

Rules

An online poll will up in a few days hopefully! But you are always welcome to turn in your votes via email. You may vote once only and for one person in each category. Votes will be counted not only by me but by my outside source. Winners will be announced in June.

Nominations Accepted Starting Today!

I will start accepting nominations today!

You can find the complete listing of shows here:
http://hkartguide.blogspot.com/2012/04/list-of-all-shows-for-awards-form.html

You can find the nomination categories here:
http://hkartguide.blogspot.com/2012/04/nomination-form.html

For privacy please email the forms back to me at meaghan.mcgurgan@gmail.com
If you wish to give me your ballot in person we can arrange a meeting time.
or PM them back to HK_Arts facebook account. Your answers will be kept confidential. Nominations will be announced at the end of May. All shows performing in May are eligible.

HK Arts Award Nomination Form

HK_Arts Nomination Form

You may nominate 5 shows or persons in each category. Do not put your name on the form. Email the form back to meaghan.mcgurgan@gmail.com for privacy. Or PM to the Hk_Arts Facebook account.

Nomination Period: June 2011- May 2012
Nomination Form Due back: May 20th.
Nominations announced END OF MAY!
(Professional Local Companies may be included; tours with international actors are not permitted. This is an award show to promote local artists!)

Nominations to be announced at the end of May. (You can nominate a show that performs in May as nomination sheets are due by May 20th.)
Award show in late June, Venue and date TBA.

1.     Best Show (Non Musical)
2.     Best Show (Musical)
3.     Best Actor (please include show name)
4.     Best Actress (please include show name)
5.     Best Director (please include show name)
6.     Best Designer (please include show name and type of design)
7.     Best New Comer (MUST BE NEW TO THE SCENE! June 2011-May 2012)
8.     Best Producer/Best Company
9.     Best Stage Manager (please include show name)
10.  Best Supporting Actor (please include show name)
11.  Best Supporting Actress (please include show name)
12.  Best Bit Role (Must be 10 minutes or less of stage time)
13.  Best Charity Production (Where 50% or more of proceeds was given to charity. Please include Show name and charity.)
14.  Best Cantonese Production
15.  Best Theatre for Youth Production
16. Best Original Work (Must be newly produced, can be musical or non.)
17. Best Dance Show
18. Best re-occurring audience member
19. Best Local Band
20. Best Local Visual Artist

*Cantonese Performers may be included in the Actor category