In the making since 2021, The Theatre Bloomies are finally upon us!
What is a Theatre Bloomie, you ask?
It’s an award designed to celebrate an outstanding overall production, conceptualized by TheatreBloom Founder Amanda Gunther. It has been cooking in her mind since the Pandemic shut things down back in March of 2020 with the notion of “…if live theatre ever comes back this would be a great thing to do…”
In November of 2022, it was ‘soft-announced’ that it would be rolling out in the 2023 calendar year. And halfway into the 2023 calendar year- it’s here!
What Is A Bloomie?
A Bloomie is an award that recognizes and celebrates theatrical excellence on the whole. A full-stage production where the performance, the execution of the show, the design and creative elements, and the overall experience is outstanding is what The Bloomies are aiming to recognize.
Who Is Eligible?
At this time any non-equity house or community theatre producing full-staged productions are eligible to receive a Bloomie Award. This includes community theatres, small-independent-DIY-theatres where artists are paid a stipend but not beholden to equity contracts, collegiate theatres, dinner theatres, summer theatres, and small professional theatres not beholden to equity contracts.
Touring houses, large professional theatres, equity houses, and pop-up/one-off companies designed specifically and solely for Fringe Festivals or specific events where there is no production outside of said specific event are ineligible at this time.
Theatres and their productions must be located in the following geographical areas:
- Baltimore
- Washington D.C.
- Northern Virginia
- Surrounding Maryland Areas
We’d love to include theatre everywhere, of course, but as TheatreBloom’s primary coverage area includes the above four geographical regions, and one of the criteria is ‘must have been reviewed by TheatreBloom’, that’s the area where your production must take place. Not sure if your location qualifies you for a Bloomie? Shoot us a quick email! (If you’ve ever been reviewed before by a member of TheatreBloom, that means you’re in the qualifying geographical area!)
What Criteria Is Looked For In A Bloomie Recipiant?
The Recipient of a Bloomie Award will achieve the following:
- A full-length, fully staged theatrical engagement that runs for more than one performance
- Stellar, exceptional, high-quality performances from all performers in the production
- Exceptional, high-quality production values including Lights, Set, Costume, Props, and Sound.
- Exceptional design and execution of Choreography*
- Exceptional design and execution of Musical Numbers/Live Orchestrations*
- An overall feeling of “that perfect production”
- Must have been reviewed by the TheatreBloom publication
*if applicable (as not all productions eligible will be musical productions.)
What about Jr. Productions and Children’s Theatre?
While we fully recognize that Children’s Theatre (or TYA) and Junior Produtions that are often the undertaking of the above-listed theatres, are an integral, celebrated, and important part of the theatre scene in Baltimore, Washington D.C., NoVa, and surrounding Maryland areas, we are currently in development of a ‘Bloomie Jr.’ award for just such companies and performances! Stay tuned for more details as the development of that award continues!
When Will The Bloomies Be Announced
As The Bloomies are not a given, annual award where everyone gets nominated/recognized and everyone is going to receive a nod, they will be announced at the time of presentation. This is a rare award for theatrical excellence and is expected to be awarded approximately 1-4 times over the course of a calendar year.
THE FIRST EVER BLOOMIE AWARD
It is with great pride and deepest pleasure that TheatreBloom is announcing the first-ever Bloomie Award! It is being awarded this August of 2023! Keep your eyes on this spot to see which theatrical production is the first-ever recipient. 
On August 6th 2023, the first-ever Bloomie Award was presented to Cockpit in Court for their production of The Prom. At the closing matinee performance of the show’s run, the official award and trophy were presented during the curtain call to Director Roger Schulman on behalf of the cast, company, and crew.
To read the review of Cockpit in Court’s The Prom, click here.
THEATRE BLOOMIE AWARDS
- Cockpit in Court- The Prom (July 21st through August 6th 2023)
- Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church- The Secret Garden (March 8th through March 17th 2024)
Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church became the second theatre company to receive a TheatreBloom Bloomie Award for their production of The Secret Garden, awarded at the closing night performance on March 17th 2024. The production included over 125 people working on it- with 53 main-stage performers, a 17-person orchestra, and dozens of others lending their hands both in the choir, production, and tech team.
To read the TheatreBloom review of The Secret Garden, click here.