Registration Instructions
Before you register your production, please consult the Dora Eligibility Criteria below for ongoing updates. Please note that the Show Registration Form includes a Voluntary Gender Self-Identification drop-down for all individually-named registrants as a method of tracking the TAPA commitment to equity and inclusion, as reflected in our gender inclusive categories. Currently, this field asks for the voluntary disclosure of gender identity. Individual responses will remain confidential and results will only be shared in aggregate.
To ensure the production is attended and adjudicated by the appropriate Dora Awards Division jury, please complete the online Dora Registration Form accessed by logging in to the TAPA website with your company account, and selecting the Dora Registration link under the My TAPA tab.
TAPA Members are encouraged to register all season productions at the beginning of the membership year (September) or as early as possible.
The information provided by the Producer on the Show Registration Form will appear exactly as written in all TAPA print materials, unless otherwise updated by the Producer. TAPA is not responsible for any inaccuracies or errors in registration. Changes or updates to registration details must be submitted in writing by the Producer prior to the commencement of jury voting in May. Dora Awards credits must reflect the opening night credits in your house programme.
Registration must be completed and received by the Dora Awards Manager 28 calendar days prior to opening night. This deadline is non-negotiable. Submission of this form does not automatically qualify your production for inclusion in the Dora Mavor Moore Awards. The online Show Registration Form will not accept late applications.
Producers will be advised automatically that a registration has been received by the online registration form system. If the Producer does not receive acknowledgment of receipt, it is the Producer’s responsibility to contact the Dora Awards Manager immediately.
Producers will receive formal confirmation of registration within two (2) weeks of submission, which will include full confirmation details and additional procedures.
Producers must forward a copy of the show programme to the Dora Awards Manager as soon as it becomes available.
Mandate
From TAPA Strategic Plan 2024-2028
TAPA is a unique arts service organization that represents three separate disciplines comprised of professional theatre, dance and opera companies that range from commercial to not-for-profit organizations. TAPA is responsive to the changing environment and shifting artistic practices of the membership; and engages in a cyclical review process of the Dora Mavor Moore Awards.
TAPA is dedicated to listening and learning about the needs of these diverse members to effectively support their individual work, while also acting as a unified voice for the performing arts as a whole. Through a broad spectrum of partnerships and networks, TAPA has a proven track record of establishing new programs and services. TAPA is committed to advocating with all three levels of government to maintain and secure new funding to support arts and culture. In the time of the pandemic, TAPA demonstrated its expertise in the cultural ecosystem and the impact of its work was clearly evident and rippled throughout the sector. As a dynamic ASO, TAPA is a leader in building a strong and thriving creative sector.
Vision: A flourishing Toronto performing arts industry, where artists, arts organizations and audiences feel connected, engaged and empowered to lead positive change through the arts.
Mission: Supporting the growth of the Toronto performing arts sector, by facilitating learnings, connections and partnerships across industries, communities, organizations, groups and professionals.
Values:
- Equity
- Being an empowering and unified voice to amplify historically underserved artists and communities and change for arts organizations and artists through critical education, support and facilitation of learning around values that include access, pluralism and inclusion.
- Advocacy
- Facilitating conversations with civic stakeholders to build an understanding of the importance of the arts for the common good; and to secure continued financial support and recognition for theatre, dance, and opera, from all levels of government.
- Engagement
- Connecting members with each other through a range of platforms for learning, exchange and integrated community building.
- Membership-driven
- Maintaining a dialogue with performing arts organizations and arts workers to actively support and respond to their evolving needs through the reassessment of TAPA programs and services.
- Collaborative
- Embracing the experiences of the TAPA membership, Board and Committee members from across organizations and disciplines to elevate all voices.
- Resilience
- Maintaining a strong and supportive team to implement fluidity and transparency as an essential practice to be a catalyst for effective change.
Rules and Regulations
A Producing Company must be a TAPA member in good standing at the Professional Member level in order to register for the Dora Awards. To be a member in good standing, Producers must:
- Pay TAPA Membership dues in a timely manner
- Register productions a minimum of 28 calendar days in advance of opening
- To be eligible in the current Dora season, a minimum of 60% of juror-eligible performances must occur before May 15. Production runs with less than 60% occurring before May 15 must be rolled into the following Dora season.
- Producers must provide two (2) complimentary tickets if capacity permits to each juror in the corresponding registration Division, as well as all Jury Chairs. Some ticket reservation restrictions are permitted on the Show Registration Form.
- DO NOT contact jurors directly. Questions regarding jurors or attendance must be directed to the Dora Awards Manager who will address your concerns.
- DO NOT automatically add jurors to promotional mailing lists.
- Provide clear and accurate information on the Show Registration Form. Incomplete or inaccurate information will not be processed.
- Requests for changes to registered show information must be submitted directly to the Dora Awards Manager before May 1. Once voting begins, no additional changes will be accepted.
- In exceptional cases where Producers wish to request minor corrections to otherwise accurate information after the nominees are announced (late May / early June), Producers have 24hrs following the Dora Nominee Press Conference to request such changes. If there are major inaccuracies in the information a Producer has provided, nominations will be withdrawn.
- Companies who have received a Dora Award for a production are no longer eligible in that same category for the same production. Individuals who have received a Dora Award are no longer eligible in that same category for the same role in the same production.
- Productions must take place within the City of Toronto (not the GTA); West to the border of Mississauga, North to the border of Vaughan/Markham, East to the border of Pickering.
Eligibility Criteria, Rules and Regulations are subject to change without notice.
Eligibility Criteria
All Divisions
- Productions must be produced or presented by a Professional Member in good standing of TAPA. Productions are registered in the Division that matches their discipline.
- Productions must be professional and must be described by their Producer as a professional work of dance, theatre or opera. All artists must be remunerated.
- Only the opening night cast of a production is eligible for performance awards. Requests for exceptions must be submitted to the Dora Awards Manager and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- Workshops, excerpts and training productions are NOT eligible for the DMMA.
- Digital/virtual/streamed-only productions are NOT eligible for the DMMA, with the exception of the Outstanding Innovative Experience award, due to:
- equity challenges across the membership in producing digital content, including but not limited to financial and human resources
- TAPA is unable to provide equitable access to digital devices for the volunteer Dora jurors for adjudication purposes that would guarantee a unified experience
- not all TAPA members will be digitizing artistic programming
- Productions in the Toronto Fringe and Summerworks Festivals are NOT eligible for the DMMA.
- No remount can be eligible in the same Division if it has previously been considered by a jury within a five (5) year period.
- For theatre, a “remount” is defined as a production which, once closed, is remounted using the stage manager’s copy of the prompt script and either of the following elements; the original set and costume designer and / or at least fifty (50%) percent of the speaking roles (five [5] lines or more) are played by artists engaged for the previous production. If a TAPA member revives a production with a different set and costume design and more than 50% new cast members, the production will be eligible for Dora consideration prior to the end of the five-year rule. No remount can be eligible for Outstanding New Play regardless of its production history.
- For dance, a “remount” is defined as a production which, once closed, is remounted by the original producer, with the work’s choreographer or the choreographer’s appointed representative (i.e. a rehearsal director) directing the work; or is remounted by the original producer with the choreography reconstructed based on archival footage and/or notation from the original production; and the original set and/or original costumes and/or original score or soundtrack are used.
- If a remounted production becomes eligible again, it is not eligible in any category for which it has previously been awarded a Dora Award.
- Productions are eligible for consideration in one (1) Division only.
- Producers must register for the Dora Awards at least four weeks (28 calendar days) prior to the opening performance. IN ORDER TO BE FAIR TO ALL TAPA MEMBERS, THIS RULE WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.
- The Dora Awards Manager shall rule on questions regarding eligibility. Any exceptions will be reviewed by the Dora Eligibility Committee, and then the TAPA Board of Directors. Requests for exceptions must be submitted in writing to the Dora Awards Manager at least one (1) month prior to the opening performance.
- The deceased are not eligible for DMMA consideration unless they have died during the current Dora season.
- Producers determine who is considered for any and all award categories pertinent to the production registered. It is beyond the mandate of jurors to determine eligibility. Producers are strongly recommended to consult with production’s creative team.
- A minimum of three (3) eligible candidates must be registered in a category in order for that category to proceed to voting. (see Voting Procedures section for more details)
List of Dora Award Categories (43 Awards)
GENERAL THEATRE DIVISION (9 awards)
- Outstanding Production
- Outstanding New Play
- Outstanding Direction
- Outstanding Performance by an Individual
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
- Outstanding Scenic / Projection Design
- Outstanding Costume Design
- Outstanding Lighting Design
- Outstanding Sound Design / Composition
MUSICAL THEATRE DIVISION (5 awards)
- Outstanding Production
- Outstanding Creative Direction
- Outstanding Performance by an Individual
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
- Outstanding Achievement in Design
OPERA DIVISION (5 awards)
- Outstanding Production
- Outstanding Creative Direction
- Outstanding Performance by an Individual
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
- Outstanding Achievement in Design
SHARED BY MUSICAL & OPERA DIVISIONS (1 award)
- Outstanding New Musical / New Opera
INDEPENDENT THEATRE DIVISION (9 awards)
- Outstanding Production
- Outstanding New Play
- Outstanding Direction
- Outstanding Performance by an Individual
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
- Outstanding Scenic / Projection Design
- Outstanding Costume Design
- Outstanding Lighting Design
- Outstanding Sound Design / Composition
THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES DIVISION (6 awards)
- Outstanding Production
- Outstanding New Play
- Outstanding Direction
- Outstanding Performance by an Individual
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
- Outstanding Achievement in Design
DANCE DIVISION (6 awards)
- Outstanding Production
- Outstanding Original Choreography
- Outstanding Original Sound Composition
- Outstanding Performance by an Individual
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
- Outstanding Achievement in Design
TOURING (1 award)
- Outstanding Touring Production
INNOVATION (1 award)
- Outstanding Innovative Experience
General Theatre Division
- A production that is presented, produced or co-produced by a venued company must be registered in the General Theatre Division.
- A production with a budget greater than $125,000* in a venue with 150 seats or more must be registered in the General Theatre Division. A production with either a budget of less than $125,000* or in a venue with 150 seats or less can choose to register in the Independent Theatre Division.
*this includes all creation/production expenses and funds contributed by presenters, co-producers and in- association partners, and excludes all expenses associated with touring. Due consideration will be given to a member company’s registration history and placement precedent for those production applications bordering the threshold during this transition period.
To be eligible for all awards in this Division, the production must run a minimum of seven (7) performances, and must be open to the general public in the City of Toronto. Previews and/or invited dress rehearsals MAY be included, as options for jurors to attend, at the discretion of the producer.
Outstanding New Play
A person(s) identified as playwright(s)/creator(s) by a TAPA member for a play that has its world premiere in Toronto in any language; or any person(s) identified as playwright(s)/creator(s) by a TAPA member for a production originating in Toronto* of a play that is registered for the Doras for the first time. ie. the Toronto premiere of a new Canadian work that had its world premiere elsewhere. This award goes to the playwright(s)/creator(s), and is not an award for the production. Eligibility in this category is granted once, regardless of recurring eligibility in different Divisions.
Original translations or adaptations into either official language (English or French) originating in Toronto* are eligible for this award. The original playwright(s) and translator(s) must be acknowledged in the registration for this category.
* A production originating in Toronto is defined for the purposes of the DMMA as follows: the production company (producer) responsible for the creation of the production is based in Toronto; OR the independent artist (playwright/creator) responsible for the creation of the production is a resident of Toronto.
Outstanding Production
All productions which meet the eligibility criteria and are registered in the General Theatre Division are eligible for this award. This award is for the producing company.
Outstanding Direction
A person(s) named by the producer as engaged for the purpose of directing the production are eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria. The Director is responsible for conceptualizing and/or staging the production.
Outstanding Performance by an Individual
Individual performers from the opening night cast who are named by the producer are eligible, provided that the production meets all other eligibility criteria.
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
The producer may choose to register all or some of the performers (minimum of 2 on-stage performers) in a production which meets all other eligibility criteria. A performer may NOT be registered both as an individual performer and as a member of an Ensemble. Each performer may only be listed ONCE, either as an Individual OR as part of an Ensemble, but not both.
* For registering your ensemble, you might consider the following as non-prescriptive guidelines:
1. Performance involving several performers whose roles are of equal importance.
2. 2 (two) or more performers taken as a whole that reflect a degree of cohesion in their work.
3. An ensemble cast made up of performers in which these performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance in a production.
4. An ensemble performance is characterized by a group of performers appearing to be so deeply dependent on each ensemble member’s contribution that the work of this group is greater than the sum of its parts.
Outstanding Scenic / Projection Design
A person(s) engaged to conceptualize, co-ordinate or direct the realization of the scenic and/or projection, video or digital media elements for a production produced or co-produced by a TAPA member is eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria.
Outstanding Costume Design
A person(s) engaged to conceptualize, co-ordinate or direct the realization of the costume elements for a production produced or co-produced by a TAPA member is eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria.
Outstanding Lighting Design
A person(s) engaged to conceptualize, co-ordinate or direct the realization of the lighting elements for a production produced or co-produced by a TAPA member is eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria.
Outstanding Sound Design / Composition
A person(s) engaged to conceptualize, co-ordinate or direct the realization of the sound for a production produced or co-produced by a TAPA member is eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria. This award recognizes outstanding achievement in composition of original music or original sound or the adaptation of sound elements either live or pre-recorded.
Musical Theatre Division
- All productions that are described and promoted as musical theatre must be registered in the Musical Theatre Division.
- To be eligible in this Division, a production must run a minimum of three (3) performances, and must be open to the general public in the City of Toronto. Previews and/or invited dress rehearsals MAY be included, as options for jurors to attend, at the discretion of the producer.
Outstanding Production
All productions described and promoted as musicals and which meet the eligibility criteria are eligible. This award is for the producing company.
Outstanding Creative Direction
A group of persons named by the producer engaged as Director, Musical Director and/or Choreographer for the purpose of conceptualizing and/or directing the creative vision of a production; conceptualizing and/or conducting live music played or sung; and creating and/or staging dance choreography and/or specialized movements are together eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria.
Outstanding Performance by an Individual
Individual performers from the opening night cast who are named by the producer are eligible, provided that the production meets all other eligibility criteria.
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
The producer may choose to register all or some of the performers (minimum of 2 on-stage performers) in a production which meets all other eligibility criteria. A performer may NOT be registered both as an individual performer and as a member of an Ensemble. Each performer may only be listed ONCE, either as an Individual OR as part of an Ensemble, but not both.
*To register an ensemble, the producer might consider the following as non-prescriptive guidelines:
1. Performance involving several performers whose roles are of equal importance.
2. 2 (two) or more performers taken as a whole that reflect a degree of cohesion in their work.
3. An ensemble cast made up of performers in which these performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance in a production.
4. An ensemble performance is characterized by a group of performers appearing to be so deeply dependent on each ensemble member’s contribution that the work of this group is greater than the sum of its parts.
Outstanding Achievement in Design
A person(s) engaged to design, conceptualize, co-ordinate or direct the realization of either the scenic, costume, lighting, sound, projection, video and/or digital media elements for a production produced or co-produced by a TAPA member is eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria. A single design discipline will be awarded.
Opera Division
- All productions that are described and promoted as opera must be registered in the Opera Division.
- To be eligible in this Division, a production must run a minimum of three (3) performances, and must be open to the general public in the City of Toronto. Previews and/or invited dress rehearsals MAY be included, as options for jurors to attend, at the discretion of the producer.
Outstanding Production
All productions described and promoted as operas and which meet the eligibility criteria are eligible. This award is for the producing company.
Outstanding Creative Direction
A group of persons named by the producer engaged as Director, Musical Director and/or Choreographer for the purpose of conceptualizing and/or directing the creative vision of a production; conceptualizing and/or conducting live music played or sung; and creating and/or staging dance choreography and/or specialized movements are together eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria.
Outstanding Performance by an Individual
Individual performers from the opening night cast who are named by the producer are eligible, provided that the production meets all other eligibility criteria.
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
The producer may choose to register all or some of the performers (minimum of 2 on-stage performers) in a production which meets all other eligibility criteria. A performer may NOT be registered both as an individual performer and as a member of an Ensemble. Each performer may only be listed ONCE, either as an Individual OR as part of an Ensemble, but not both.
*To register an ensemble, the producer might consider the following as non-prescriptive guidelines:
- Performance involving several performers whose roles are of equal importance.
- 2 (two) or more performers taken as a whole that reflect a degree of cohesion in their work.
- An ensemble cast made up of performers in which these performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance in a production.
- An ensemble performance is characterized by a group of performers appearing to be so deeply dependent on each ensemble member’s contribution that the work of this group is greater than the sum of its parts.
Outstanding Achievement in Design
A person(s) engaged to design, conceptualize, co-ordinate or direct the realization of either the scenic, costume, lighting, sound, projection, video and/or digital media elements for a production produced or co-produced by a TAPA member is eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria. A single design discipline will be awarded.
Independent Theatre Division
- A production that is produced by a non-venued company may register in the Independent Theatre Division subject to the following criteria:
- A production with a budget less than $125,000* in a venue with 150 seats or less must be registered in the Independent Theatre A production with either a budget greater than $125,000* or in a venue with 150 seats or more can choose to register in the General Theatre Division.
*this includes all creation/production expenses and funds contributed by presenters, co-producers and in- association partners, and excludes all expenses associated with touring. Due consideration will be given to a member company’s registration history and placement precedent for those production applications bordering the threshold during this transition period. - To be eligible in this Division, a production must run a minimum of seven (7) performances, and must be open to the general public in the City of Toronto. Previews and/or invited dress rehearsals MAY be included, as options for jurors to attend, at the discretion of the producer.
Outstanding New Play
A person(s) identified as playwright(s)/creator(s) by a TAPA member for a play that has its world premiere in Toronto in any language; or any person(s) identified as playwright(s)/creator(s) by a TAPA member for a production originating in Toronto* of a play that is registered for the Doras for the first time. ie. the Toronto premiere of a new Canadian work that had its world premiere elsewhere. This award goes to the playwright(s)/creator(s), and is not an award for the production. Eligibility in this category is granted once, regardless of recurring eligibility in different Divisions.
Original translations or adaptations into either official language (English or French) originating in Toronto* are eligible for this award. The original playwright(s) and translator(s) must be acknowledged in the registration for this category.
* A production originating in Toronto is defined for the purposes of the DMMA as follows: the production company (producer) responsible for the creation of the production is based in Toronto; OR the independent artist (playwright/creator) responsible for the creation of the production is a resident of Toronto.
Outstanding Production
All productions which meet the eligibility criteria and are registered in the Independent Theatre Division are eligible for this award. This award is for the producing company.
Outstanding Direction
A person(s) named by the producer as engaged for the purpose of directing the production are eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria. The Director is responsible for conceptualizing and/or staging the production.
Outstanding Performance by an Individual
Individual performers from the opening night cast who are named by the producer are eligible, provided that the production meets all other eligibility criteria.
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
The producer may choose to register all or some of the performers (minimum of 2 on-stage performers) in a production which meets all other eligibility criteria. A performer may NOT be registered both as an individual performer and as a member of an Ensemble. Each performer may only be listed ONCE, either as an Individual OR as part of an Ensemble, but not both.
* For registering your ensemble, you might consider the following as non-prescriptive guidelines:
- Performance involving several performers whose roles are of equal importance.
- 2 (two) or more performers taken as a whole that reflect a degree of cohesion in their work.
- An ensemble cast made up of performers in which these performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance in a production.
- An ensemble performance is characterized by a group of performers appearing to be so deeply dependent on each ensemble member’s contribution that the work of this group is greater than the sum of its parts.
Outstanding Scenic / Projection Design
A person(s) engaged to conceptualize, co-ordinate or direct the realization of the scenic and/or projection, video or digital media elements for a production produced or co-produced by a TAPA member is eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria.
Outstanding Costume Design
A person(s) engaged to conceptualize, co-ordinate or direct the realization of the costume elements for a production produced or co-produced by a TAPA member is eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria.
Outstanding Lighting Design
A person(s) engaged to conceptualize, co-ordinate or direct the realization of the lighting elements for a production produced or co-produced by a TAPA member is eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria.
Outstanding Sound Design / Composition
A person(s) engaged to conceptualize, co-ordinate or direct the realization of the sound for a production produced or co-produced by a TAPA member is eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria. This award recognizes outstanding achievement in composition of original music or original sound or the adaptation of sound elements either live or pre-recorded.
Theatre for Young Audiences Division
- All productions that are described and promoted as productions for young audiences must be registered in the Theatre for Young Audiences Division.
- A production must run a minimum of three (3) performances in the City of Toronto, though not necessarily in one location. Previews and/or invited dress rehearsals MAY be included, as options for jurors to attend, at the discretion of the producer.
Outstanding New Play
A person(s) identified as playwright(s)/creator(s) by a TAPA member for a play that has its world premiere in Toronto in any language; or any person(s) identified as playwright(s)/creator(s) by a TAPA member for a production originating in Toronto* of a play that is registered for the Doras for the first time. ie. the Toronto premiere of a new Canadian work that had its world premiere elsewhere. This award goes to the playwright(s)/creator(s), and is not an award for the production. Eligibility in this category is granted once, regardless of recurring eligibility in different Divisions.
Original translations or adaptations into either official language (English or French) originating in Toronto* are eligible for this award. The original playwright(s) and translator(s) must be acknowledged in the registration for this category.
* A production originating in Toronto is defined for the purposes of the DMMA as follows: the production company (producer) responsible for the creation of the production is based in Toronto; OR the independent artist (playwright/creator) responsible for the creation of the production is a resident of Toronto.
Outstanding Production
All productions described and promoted for children or young audiences and which meet the eligibility criteria are eligible. This award is for the producing or presenting company.
Outstanding Direction
A person(s) named by the producer as engaged for the purpose of directing the production are eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria. The Director is responsible for conceptualizing and/or staging the production.
Outstanding Performance by an Individual
Individual performers from the opening night cast who are named by the producer are eligible, provided that the production meets all other eligibility criteria.
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
The producer may choose to register all or some of the performers (minimum of 2 on-stage performers) in a production which meets all other eligibility criteria. A performer may NOT be registered both as an individual performer and as a member of an Ensemble. Each performer may only be listed ONCE, either as an Individual OR as part of an Ensemble, but not both.
* For registering your ensemble, you might consider the following as non-prescriptive guidelines:
- Performance involving several performers whose roles are of equal importance.
- 2 (two) or more performers taken as a whole that reflect a degree of cohesion in their work.
- An ensemble cast made up of performers in which these performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance in a production.
- An ensemble performance is characterized by a group of performers appearing to be so deeply dependent on each ensemble member’s contribution that the work of this group is greater than the sum of its parts.
Outstanding Achievement in Design
A person(s) engaged to design, conceptualize, co-ordinate or direct the realization of either the scenic, costume, lighting, sound, projection, video and/or digital media elements for a production produced or co-produced by a TAPA member is eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria. A single design discipline will be awarded.
Dance Division
- All productions that are described and promoted as dance must register in the Dance Division.
- To be eligible in this Division, a production must run a minimum of three (3) performances, and must be open to the general public in the City of Toronto. Previews and/or invited dress rehearsals MAY be included, as options for jurors to attend, at the discretion of the producer.
Outstanding Production
All productions described and promoted as dance and which meet the eligibility criteria are eligible. This award is for the producing or presenting company.
Outstanding Original Choreography
A person(s) engaged as a choreographer(s) by a TAPA member for a dance piece that has its world premiere in Toronto; or any person(s) engaged as a choreographer by a TAPA member for a dance piece originating in Toronto* that has its Toronto premiere. This award goes to the choreographer(s), and is not an award for the production. Eligibility in this category is granted once, regardless of recurring eligibility in different Divisions.
* A production originating in Toronto is defined for the purposes of the DMMA as follows: the production company responsible for the creation of the production has its head office in Toronto; OR the independent artist responsible for the creation of the production is a resident of Toronto.
Outstanding Original Sound Composition
Any person(s) engaged to conceptualize, co-ordinate or direct the realization of original music or sound for a dance piece produced or co-produced by a TAPA member that has its world premiere in Toronto, or for a dance piece originating in Toronto* that has its Toronto premiere, provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria. This award recognizes outstanding achievement in composition of original music or original sound or, either live or pre-recorded.
* A production originating in Toronto is defined for the purposes of the DMMA as follows: the production company responsible for the creation of the production has its head office in Toronto; OR the independent artist responsible for the creation of the production is a resident of Toronto.
Outstanding Performance by an Individual
Individual performers from the opening night cast who are named by the producer are eligible, provided that the production meets all other eligibility criteria.
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
The producer may choose to register all or some of the performers (minimum of 2 on-stage performers) in a production which meets all other eligibility criteria. A performer may NOT be registered both as an individual performer and as a member of an Ensemble. Each performer may only be listed ONCE, either as an Individual OR as part of an Ensemble, but not both.
* For registering your ensemble, you might consider the following as non-prescriptive guidelines:
- Performance involving several performers whose roles are of equal importance.
- 2 (two) or more performers taken as a whole that reflect a degree of cohesion in their work.
- An ensemble cast made up of performers in which these performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance in a production.
- An ensemble performance is characterized by a group of performers appearing to be so deeply dependent on each ensemble member’s contribution that the work of this group is greater than the sum of its parts.
Outstanding Achievement in Design
A person(s) engaged to design, conceptualize, co-ordinate or direct the realization of either the scenic, costume, lighting, sound, projection, video and/or digital media elements for a production produced or co-produced by a TAPA member is eligible for this award provided the production meets all other eligibility criteria. A single design discipline will be awarded.
Touring Division
- A production that is produced by a non-member of TAPA that is presented by a TAPA member company may register in the Touring Division.
- To be eligible for Outstanding Touring Production, a production must run a minimum of three (3) performances, and must be open to the general public in the City of Toronto.
Outstanding Touring Production
All touring productions which meet all the eligibility criteria can be registered. In this category, the TAPA member company is presenting an existing work, and does not have artistic input. This award is for productions not originating in Toronto and not co-produced with a TAPA member. Touring productions are not eligible for any other awards.
This award is adjudicated by an 8-member Touring Jury and the Recipient, which shall be the company presented by a TAPA member, is presented with a plaque.
Innovation Division
Outstanding Innovative Experience
1. Any TAPA member company across any discipline or Division may register Innovative Experiences.
2. Any production or theatrical artistic work that is not otherwise eligible for any existing Dora Awards, Canadian Screen Awards, or Canadian Comedy Awards categories.
3. An “Innovative Experience” can include but is not limited to: digitally-delivered content, immersive experiences, augmented or virtual reality, or any alternatively-delivered work or theatrical experiment.
4. A registration for Innovative Experience must include a paragraph outlining why this work is an Innovative Experience.
5. To ensure jurors are able to experience the work in a timely manner, an eligible work must be available for a minimum of three (3) days.
This award is adjudicated by the Dora Eligibility Committee. The Recipient, which shall be the TAPA member company, is presented with a plaque.
Appeal Procedure
The Dora Awards Manager makes every effort to remain impartial, transparent, consistent and fair with any questions regarding Dora Awards registration eligibility, in discussion and consultation with the TAPA member company submitting a production for consideration.
In the event that a production or elements of a production are deemed ineligible based on details supplied in the Show Registration application as compared with the Eligibility Criteria and Rules & Regulations contained in this document, a producer may elect to appeal the initial eligibility decision made by the Dora Awards Manager.
- Request for eligibility appeal must be submitted in writing to the Dora Awards Manager, addressed to the “Dora Awards Eligibility Committee.”
- Appeal request will be forwarded to the Dora Awards Eligibility Committee for review at earliest convenience, along with any relevant documentation.
- Dora Awards Eligibility Committee will recommend a course of action:
- Appeal Request Granted
- Appeal Request Denied
- Appeal Request Conditionally Granted
Dora Awards Eligibility Committee 2023–2024
Annemieke Wade
Belinda Bale
Chris Goddard
Michael Sinclair
Natalie Sandassie
Scott Dermody
Sue Balint