Got an update on the awards-formerly-known-as-the-Helens from Danielle Rudess.

She’s hired an assistant to oversee the judging and will adopt a numerical tallying system similar to the one they use at the Paper Mill Playhouse — with an online evaluation form.

This is the note Rudess sent to her contacts. She asked me to post it here, which I’m glad to do.

If your school hasn’t received an application for this year, Rudess wants you to contact her, via email at thehelens@aol.com or at 845-826-2049.

Here’s that judging note:
“Hi Friends,
I am sending this group email out to those of you who might be interested in acting as judges for this year’s HS Theater Awards. We will pay you $75 for each show that you attend and evaluate. You need to attend a minimum of 3 local high school productions. You will need to fill out an extensive online evaluation form after you see the show. The shows begin on the weekend of Feb. 22 and run through the end of April. You can choose which dates work for you. The shows take place in Westchester, Rockland and Bergen counties. We do not pay for transportation. You can usually bring a guest with you. Most of these productions are quite good. My daughters love to attend with me.
IF A MEMBER OF YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY IS IN THE CAST OF ONE OF THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO JUDGE. IF YOU ARE WORKING ON THE PRODUCTION TEAM OF ANY OF THESE PRODUCTIONS, YOU ARE ALSO NOT ELIGIBLE.
If you are interested in acting as a judge,please contact our judging coordinator, Mary Resanovich. Her email address is: mres1022@optonline.net
She will get you all set up.
Since one of my daughters is performing in one of the participating high school’s shows, I have removed myself 100% from the judging process. So, please do not even tell me if you will be judging this year.
Thanks so much for your support for this wonderful program which means so much to the talented theater geeks in our local schools.

I used to judge high-school forensics tournaments. It’s really a blast.

PHOTO: By Tom Nycz of The Journal News