Hunting-Tonys: Volunteer Judges Sought

HUNTINGTON, NY — They say everybody’s a critic, and now here’s your chance to prove it.

Huntington Town Council Members Mark Cuthbertson and Joan Cergol are looking for volunteer judges for the Hunting-Tonys, the annual drama competition they sponsor pitting the Town’s high school thespians against each other in categories similar to the Broadway version, the Town announced.

The volunteers are asked to attend all or some of the performances (tickets provided, free of charge) and fill out rating sheets afterward. The results are then compiled to determine the winners in the various categories, leading up to the always exciting awards ceremony at Northport’s John W. Engeman Theater in June.

Performances are on Friday and Saturday evenings, with some schools also scheduling Thursday or Saturday matinees. Plays are performed in the fall – dates range from Oct. 25 to Dec. 14. Spring is for musicals, with performances usually in March and early April.

"I don’t want to taint our judges, but I think if they haven’t seen any of our high school productions, they will be amazed by the high quality," Cuthbertson said. "The actors, musicians, dancers, set designers, costumers and stage crew always appreciate the judges’ unbiased critiques because it makes them strive to do even better. So volunteering to be a judge helps perform a valuable public service while enjoying a night on the town."

"The judges are the unsung heroes of the Hunting-Tonys," Cergol said. “They are the starting point for the excitement and drama of the awards show. They take their jobs very seriously, which is important, but I think they also find their task enjoyable. And who knows: they might be helping to launch the career of the next Alex Baldwin or Patti Lupone!"

To sign up as a judge, or for more information, call Cuthbertson’s legislative aide, Michele Martines, at 631-351-3112.