2010 MAC AWARD ELIGIBILITY RULES
AND CATEGORY DEFINITIONS

Download a PDF of the rules.

THE AWARDS PROCESS

For an artist to be considered for a MAC Award, an application must be submitted documenting his/her eligibility. The application can be submitted by:

• The artist him/herself (or by someone else with the artist's permission)
• A MAC member club in which the artist performed
• A member of the Eligibility Committee or one of the specialist committees (see below)

• The preliminary ballot, prepared by the Eligibility Committee, which will list all eligible applicants in each category. The people appearing on this preliminary ballot are not nominees and may not be advertised as such. Every MAC member may select up to three choices in each category and mail the completed ballot to the designated independent accounting firm, where the results will be tabulated.
• The final ballot listing the top vote- getters, with a maximum of five in each category (unless a tie in the preliminary ballot voting requires that the number be expanded). The people appearing on this ballot are MAC Award nominees and may be advertised as such in publicity or press materials. Every MAC member may select one choice in each category and mail the completed ballot to the independent accounting firm, where the results will be tabulated and MAC Award winners determined.

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY

Only work performed in calendar year 2009 is eligible. Shows performed in 2009 that were first performed in a prior year are eligible, providing that show did not receive a MAC nomination in a prior year. Shows performed in 2009 that have substantially the same content as a show nominated in a prior year are not eligible.

Either the candidate must have been a MAC member in good standing at the time of the application process or the work to be considered for an award must have been performed in a MAC member club in 2009. (MAC member clubs are listed on the MAC web site. People who are not MAC members or who did not work in a MAC member club can qualify by joining MAC no later than the application submission deadline.)

For most performance categories, MAC members must have given at least five eligible performances within the eligibility year (January 1 - December 31, 2009); those performances need not have been of the same show. At least three of the eligible performances must have taken place in the greater New York Metropolitan area (within a 90-mile radius of New York City). Non-MAC members must have had a total of at least five eligible performances in one or more MAC member clubs located in the greater New York Metropolitan area. See the category definitions, below, for rules and exceptions specific to individual categories.

Guest spots in benefits, anniversary shows, variety shows and special events do not count towards eligibility. However, complete shows that were presented as benefits are eligible for consideration. Shows not open to the general public (e.g., performances with an invited guest list or shows open only to members of a club) are not eligible.

No person may appear in more than one category in any given year for essentially the same work (e.g., Female Vocalist and Female Musical Comedy Performer). However, where categories are clearly different, one person may be eligible in more than one category (e.g., vocalist and director). Performers are not eligible in the Director category for directing their own shows, and vocalists who accompany themselves are not eligible in the Musical Director category for those shows. The MAC Awards Eligibility Committee will review the categories in which the artists have been submitted and will adjust them if it deems appropriate. Artists will be given the opportunity to appeal category reassignments with the Committee; the Committee’s ultimate decision will be final.

A separate application with full contact information must be submitted for each category in which the artist is competing. All required supporting documentation must accompany the application. The timetable for application submission will be communicated to members well in advance of the deadline.

MAC AWARDS
P.O. Box 20113
West Village Station
New York, NY 10014

CATEGORY DEFINITIONS

Following is a list of the requirements for eligibility in each award category. Unless otherwise specified, the general eligibility requirements stated above apply. Note: Categories may be added, combined or eliminated during a given eligibility year if the MAC Awards Eligibility Committee, in its sole discretion, determines it appropriate to do so.

* Categories in which nominees are selected by specialist committees are indicated by an asterisk.

VOCALIST (MALE and FEMALE)

A singer who has performed his/her own show. A vocalist is not eligible in this category on the basis of having appeared as a guest in someone else’s show. In a show that includes guest artists or back-up vocalists, only the headline performer qualifies for this category.

MAJOR ARTIST (MALE and FEMALE)
MAJOR JAZZ ARTIST (MALE and FEMALE)
MAJOR STAND-UP COMIC (MALE and FEMALE)

Artists in these categories should have achieved clearly recognized stature and prominence within the MAC live performance community. In addition, they may have received reviews by major publications and may have appeared in a major New York venue.

An artist is not eligible in these categories if he/she appeared as a guest in someone else’s show. In a show that includes guest artists or back-up vocalists, only the headline performer qualifies.

CELEBRITY ARTIST

Artists in this category should have achieved national or international stature and prominence, and should be established names outside the performing arts community. They will have received reviews by major publications. The category encompasses all genres: cabaret, jazz, and comedy.

JAZZ VOCALIST (MALE and FEMALE)

A jazz singer who has performed his/her own show or sets. Eligible singers in this category must be clearly recognized as jazz vocalists and have performed primarily in that genre. A vocalist is not eligible in this category on the basis of having appeared as a guest in someone else’s show. In a show that includes guest artists or back-up vocalists, only the headline performer qualifies for this category. For purposes of this category, performances need not have fixed sets or starting times, but may be opens sets or performances throughout an evening.

JAZZ INSTRUMENTALIST

An instrumentalist who has performed his/her own show or sets, either with or without singing. Eligible performers in this category must be clearly recognized as jazz artists and have performed primarily in that genre. An artist is not eligible in this category on the basis of having appeared as a guest in someone else’s show. In a show that includes guest artists, only the headline performer qualifies for this category. For purposes of this category, performances need not have fixed sets or starting times, but may be open sets or performances throughout an evening.

Note: There is a special application form for this category.

CABARET COMEDY/MONOLOGY

A performer who entertains in his/her own show primarily through non- musical comedy in cabarets rather than in stand-up comedy clubs. This category includes performers who portray fictional characters (previously categorized as Characterization), and excludes impersonations. An artist is not eligible in this category on the basis of having appeared as a guest in someone else’s show. In a show that includes guest artists or back-up vocalists, only the headline performer qualifies for this category.

STAND-UP COMIC (MALE and FEMALE)

A performer who has appeared regularly as a stand-up comic and who has been booked for those engagements. Open mike or try-out/audition engagements are not eligible engagements. This category is designed for stand-up comics doing sets (as opposed to entire shows). To be eligible, a comic must have made a minimum of eight such appearances during the current eligibility year.

Note: There is a special application form for this category.

IMPERSONATION

A male or female performer who entertains in his/her own show by impersonating a non- fictional character or creating one of his/her own, either with or without music. A performer is not eligible in this category on the basis of having appeared as a guest in someone else’s show. In a show that includes guest artists or back-up vocalists, only the headline performer qualifies for this category.

NEW YORK DEBUT (MALE and FEMALE)

A performer who is presenting his/her own show in New York City for the first time. Performers must be doing an entire act to qualify. Performers who may have previously appeared as opening acts or as a performer in a revue or as part of a group are eligible for this category. In a show that includes guest artists or back-up vocalists, only the headline performer qualifies for this category. Performers who have achieved a high degree of success and visibility in another medium or in another city are not eligible. To be eligible in these categories, performers must have given at least three performances in the greater New York metropolitan area (within a 90- mile radius of New York City).

MUSICAL COMEDY PERFORMER (MALE and FEMALE)

A performer whose act consists mostly of comic songs, parodies, novelty songs and/or other musical comedy material. To be eligible, the performer must have done his/her own show; he/she is not eligible in this category on the basis of having appeared as a guest in someone else’s show. In a show that includes guest artists or back-up vocalists, only the headline performer qualifies for this category.

MUSICAL COMEDY DUO/GROUP

Two or more performers whose act consists mostly of comic songs, parodies, novelty songs and other forms of musical comedy material. To be eligible, the duo or group must have done its own show; they are not eligible in this category on the basis of having appeared as guests in someone else’s show. In a show that includes guest artists or back-up vocalists, only the headline performers qualify for this category.

VOCAL DUO/GROUP

Two or more vocalists whose act is primarily made up of music and song and not primarily dependent on humor. An accompanist singing with a vocalist does not qualify as a vocal duo/group unless this is a considerable part of the act and the two are billed equally together. To be eligible, the duo/group must have done its own show; they are not eligible in this category on the basis of having appeared as guests in someone else’s show. In a show that includes guest artists or back-up vocalists, only the headline performers qualify for this category.

JAZZ DUO/GROUP

Two or more instrumentalists and/or vocalists. Eligible performers in this category must be clearly recognized as jazz artists and have performed primarily in that genre. To be eligible, the duo/group must have done its own show or sets; they are not eligible in this category on the basis of having appeared as guests in someone else’s show. In a show that includes guest artists or back-up vocalists, only the headline performers qualify for this category. For purposes of this category, performances need not have fixed sets or starting times, but may be open sets or performances throughout an evening.

Note: There is a special application form for this category.

COMEDY/IMPROV DUO/GROUP

Two or more performers doing stand-up, sketch and/or improvisational routines. To be eligible, they must have done their own show; they are not eligible in this category on the basis of having appeared as guests in someone else’s show. In a show that includes guest artists or back-up vocalists, only the headline performers qualify for this category.

REVUE

This category includes the following examples:

• a revue of original material written specifically for the show
• a revue of material written for another show or medium, linked together for the first time by a theme
• a revue of material from multiple sources written by one songwriter/songwriting team
• a thematic revue of material by multiple writers
• a revue consisting primarily of parodies, novelty songs and other forms of musical comedy
  material

A revue must have at least two performers and should be able to be recast without suffering artistically. A revue should not rely on any specific performer's participation for its identity. The award will go to the driving or creative force(s) behind the production, who must be identified in the application; this might be the producer, the director, the developer or the writer(s). One of the driving/creative forces must be a MAC member or the revue must have been performed in a MAC member club during the eligibility year.

VARIETY PRODUCTION/RECURRING SERIES

A show or series with a standard format and a changing lineup of acts. The acts can consist of any combination of musical performers, comedy performers, songwriters, and/or variety acts. The award will go to the driving or creative force(s) behind the production/series, who must be identified in the application; this might be the producer, the director, the host, the developer or the writer(s). One of the driving/creative forces must be a MAC member or the production/series must have been performed in a MAC member club during the eligibility year.

OPEN MIC

A series in which the lineup of acts varies from show to show and the majority of performers are selected from the people who happen to be in attendance that evening. The award will go to the driving or creative force(s) behind the series, who must be ident ified in the application; this might be the producer, the director, the host, the developer or the writer(s). One of the driving/creative forces must be a MAC member or the series must have been performed in a MAC member club during the eligibility year.

HOST -- VARIETY SHOW/SERIES or OPEN MIC

A person who hosts a variety show/series or open mic. This person must have served as host at least five times during the eligibility year, and the shows hosted need not all be in the same series. Hosting duties typically include introducing the acts, banter with the performers, and non-musical
entertainment of the audience. The host may or may not also be involved with the production of the show and may or may not also perform in the shows. In a show with multiple hosts, only the primary host(s) are eligible.

SPECIAL PRODUCTION

A show that does not fit into any of the other categories. The award will go to the driving or creative force(s) behind the production, who must be identified in the application; this might be the producer, the director, the developer or the writer(s). One of the driving/creative forces must be a MAC member or the production must have been performed in a MAC member club during the eligibility year.

PIANO BAR/RESTAURANT SINGING ENTERTAINER

A singer engaged by a venue recognized as either a piano bar or restaurant, performing as an obligation of employment as part of the entertainment package in such establishments without fixed set lists or specific show times. Eligible singers must have other responsibilities, such as waiting tables or bartending. In this category, the five-performance minimum requirement refers to the number of evenings/afternoons the person has performed in the eligibility year.

PIANO BAR/RESTAURANT/
HOTEL LOUNGE INSTRUMENTALIST

An instrumentalist (piano or other instrument), who may or may not sing, who entertains in a venue recognized as a piano bar, restaurant, or hotel lounge. Performers eligible in this category are those who are engaged by the venue and who may either do open sets without fixed set lists or appear at designated times. In addition, they may provide accompaniment for other performers, and/or conduct sing-alongs or other types of audience participation. In this category, the five-performance minimum requirement refers to the number of evenings/afternoons the person has performed in the eligibility year.

SINGER/SONGWRITER

A songwriter who has performed a show comprising mainly his/her own songs. The songwriter may or may not have accompanied him/herself. An artist is not eligible in this category on the basis of having appeared as a guest in someone else’s show. In a show that includes guest artists or back-up vocalists, only the headline performer qualifies for this category.

MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Must have provided musical direction for at least two different shows or performers in the greater New York metropolitan area (within a 90-mile radius of New York City) during the eligibility year; there is no minimum-number-of-performances requirement. Those performances must have taken place in MAC member clubs or the candidate must be a MAC member.

Note: There is a special application form for this category.

DIRECTOR

Must have directed at least two different shows or performers in the greater New York metropolitan area (within a 90- mile radius of New York City) during the eligibility year; there is no minimum-number-of-performances requirement. Those performances must have taken place in MAC member clubs or the candidate must be a MAC member.

Note: There is a special application form for this category.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Must have provided lighting and/or sound design for at least three different shows or performers in the greater New York metropolitan area (within a 90- mile radius of New York City) during the eligibility
year; there is no minimum-number-of-performances requirement. The venues must be MAC member clubs or the candidate must be a MAC member.

Note: There is a special application form for this category.

* SONG

A song whose predominant intent/tone is NON-humorous.

• The song must have been performed publicly during the eligibility year; there is no minimumnumber-of-performances requirement. If neither the composer nor the lyricist is a MAC member, at least one performance during the eligibility year must have taken place in a MAC member club or at a MAC/ASCAP Songwriters' Showcase.
• Songs that previously achieved prominence in any medium are not eligible.
• Parodies are not eligible.
• Songs that were submitted in a previous year are not eligible.

The award for Song will go to both the composer(s) and the lyricist(s).

Material must be submitted on a CD (preferred) or audio tape and must be accompanied by five copies of a lyric sheet. Only one song in this category may be submitted by a writer or writing team, and the choice must be made by the writer(s).

Note: There is a special application form for this category.

* SPECIAL MUSICAL MATERIAL

A song whose predominant intent/tone IS humorous.

• The song must have been performed publicly during the eligibility year; there is no minimumnumber-of-performances requirement. If neither the composer nor the lyricist is a MAC member, at least one performance during the eligibility year must have taken place in a MAC member club or at a MAC/ASCAP Songwriters' Showcase.
• Songs that previously achieved prominence in any medium are not eligible.
• Parodies are not eligible.
• Songs that were submitted in a previous year are not eligible.

The award for Special Musical Material will go to both the composer(s) and the lyricist(s). Material must be submitted on a CD (preferred) or audio tape and must be accompanied by five copies of a lyric sheet. Only one song in this category may be submitted by a writer or writing team, and the choice must be made by the writer(s).

Note: There is a special application form for this category.

* RECORDING
* MAJOR RECORDING
* JAZZ RECORDING

To be eligible in one of these categories, the recording must be a bar coded compact disc released in 2009 for sale to the public in commercial retail outlets, and it must be of full length.

The artist, or at least one member of a group of artists, must be a MAC member or have performed at least once in a MAC member club during the eligibility year. In the case of a compilation recording, the creative force behind the recording must be a MAC member or have worked in a MAC member club during the eligibility year.

Five copies of the CD must be submitted with the application.