Submissions for the Slaughter Family Arts Awards are judged anonymously (judges are not given any identifying information about the students) by professional artists experienced in the category they are judging. Below, we highlight elements of rubrics used by our judges in each category. If you have further questions, you may email our Head of Awards.
Rubrics for Dance performance
Technical Skills: feet/placement, upper body/carriage, overall strength, quality of movement
Musicality: rhythm, timing/phrasing, movement related to music
Stage Presence: confidence, focus, artistic expression, mastery of choreography/level of difficulty
Rubrics for dance choreography
Technical Skills: level of difficulty, overall execution, quality of movement
Musicality: rhythm, timing/phrasing, movement related to music
Artistic Purpose: use of space, clarity of structure (easy to follow), artistic expression, clear narrative (beginning, middle, end)
rubrics for classical & contemporary vocal performance
Beauty/Quality of Tone: clear timbre (focused, not breathy), sound is not pushed or manufactured
Technique: intonation, breath support, ease of production, coloratura/intervals
Communication: interpretation, understanding of the language, diction
Musicianship: dynamics, rhythm, tempo, phrasing follows the text, awareness of ensemble with accompanist
Stage Presence: energized and confident, communicative performer, facial expressions and gestures make sense
rubrics for classical & contemporary instrumental performance
Tone Quality: beauty, resonance, control, clarity, focus, consistency, warmth; for percussion - sticks matched to the instrument and evenness of stroke
Interpretation/Musicianship: style, phrasing, tempo, dynamics, emotional involvement, expression, continuity, mood; for percussion - attacks and releases
Technique (facility/accuracy): artistry, intonation, rhythm/rhythmic accuracy, articulation, precision, consistency, attacks and releases, ornamentation, physical articulation (posture, playing position); precision (percussion) - sticking, clarity, tempo/pulse; for percussion/piano/harp - stability of pulse, wrist and hand control, pedaling; for winds/brass/strings - control of range, bowing
Other Factors: choice of literature, appearance, improvisation, poise, stage presence, memorization, mastery of technical difficulty
rubrics for Theater monologue performance
Oral/Voice Technique: enunciation, diction, intonation, breath control and support
Projection: physical and vocal, energy, focus
Character Development: portrayal is believable/truthful, encompasses physical detail, gives a sense of environment, character arc and sense of change in character
Understanding of Text: interpretation, memorization, age appropriate
Stage Presence: energized and confident, audience connection, facial expressions and gestures are connected to character
rubrics for musical theatre performance
Oral/Voice Technique: enunciation, diction, intonation, breath control and support, quality of tone, pitch accuracy
Projection: physical and vocal, energy, focus
Character Development: portrayal is believable/truthful, encompasses physical detail, gives a sense of environment, character arc and sense of change in character
Understanding of Text: interpretation, memorization, age appropriate
Stage Presence: energized and confident, audience connection, facial expressions and gestures are connected to character
Rubrics for Technical Theatre
Read submission requirements this category.
FOR COSTUME DESIGN:
Technical Skills: period appropriate, meets practical requirements of the text, overall execution
Character: cohesive look throughout, designs are age appropriate for characters, clear choices that express each character’s role
Artistic Purpose: originality, use of color, clear expression of the unifying theme of the work, design statement expresses a clear artistic point of view
FOR LIGHTING DESIGN:
Technical Skills: efficient lighting plot, meets practical requirements of the text, overall execution
Atmosphere: cohesive look throughout, design creates depth and defines the space, design aids in carrying the eye through the set
Artistic Purpose: originality, use of color, clear expression of the unifying theme of the work, design statement expresses a clear artistic point of view
FOR SET DESIGN:
Technical Skills: efficient renderings, meets practical requirement of the text, overall execution
Atmosphere: cohesive look throughout, design establishes location/time/mood of the piece, design shows understanding of social class and historical period of the piece
Artistic Purpose: originality, use of color, clear expression of the unifying theme of the work, design statement expresses a clear artistic point of view
FOR SOUND DESIGN:
Note: When submitting for this category, please upload a video clip of a sampling of your sound design in use during a performance; this will give judges a full sense of how well you meet the following rubrics.
Technical Skills: efficient and clear sound plot, meets practical requirements, overall execution
Atmosphere: well balanced sound and volume levels, design establishes location/time/mood, design shows understanding of the acoustic requirements of the space
Artistic Purpose: originality, clear expression of the unifying theme of the work, design statement expresses a clear artistic point of view
FOR STAGE MANAGEMENT:
Technical Skills: cast/crew contact and attendance tracking, clear daily schedule, rehearsal reports
Prompt Book: precise blocking notes, clear cue markings for lighting, sound and set changes, character breakdown(character(s)/act/scene/page)
Statement of Work: Describe importance and role of Stage Management in your view, provide specific examples of your personal role and responsibilities in this production and details regarding your process for organizing and maintaining the, many requirements of the job
rubrics for visual art: 3d art, drawing, painting, Photography
Composition/Design: works as a whole, elements flow together, all elements have interesting visual appeal
Command of Medium: skilled at using medium, uses appropriate technique for medium, understands medium’s various uses, uses medium in a unique way
Technique: understands color theory, variation in tone, and use of light/shadows; creates texture; understands perspective; skilled at modeling; challenges self/level of difficulty
Expression: vivid imagery, treats subject in a unique way, has a unique style
Presentation: work is matted when appropriate; work is in good shape (free from unnecessary smudges or dents); if portfolio is present, all pieces are of equal artistic merit and represents the student’s overall ability