Thank you for your outpouring of support for the return of The Gregory Awards. While we were excited to be gathering together, due to illness among key staff and board members,  we will not be hosting an in-person awards + gala event this year. 

Instead TPS will present a free to attend online fundraiser and awards show! 

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dYbm_ZreRsapCVCjvRtwyg

This fundraiser event remains hosted by the fabulous Jimmy Shields & Alexandria Henderson, will feature announcing the winners of each regional People’s Choice Award, and is free for everyone to attend.  Those who wish to participate in a silent auction or paddle raise to support the return of the full Gregory Award process will still be able to do so. 

Why did the event change? 

Key staff and board members got The COVID. We have had many challenges this year in putting together an event to bring back a few key awards and add in some others which would not require the year-long nomination process which has not occurred since 2019. The ultimate goal to raise the funds necessary to relaunch a reimagined nomination process and 2024 ceremony remains!

What to expect

Now that this event is moving online, we are excited for the opportunity to increase access for participation. More than 1,000 people from around Puget Sound voted for the People’s Choice Organization of the Years 2020-2023, and now everyone will have a chance to be in the space to cheer on and celebrate the nominated organizations as we announce the honorees for each of the 5 regions. The theme of the evening is Grief, Gratitudes, and Glimmers. We have all experienced unprecedented challenges these last few years and we look forward to offering a space to share your joys, your pain, and your stories of triumph!

Be sure to show up to this space wearing something that brings you JOY. Keep an eye on our social media for information on how to submit stories you wish to have shared during the event.

Our hope is to raise at least $20,000 to cover the cost of the software that is helping us relaunch a more equitable and streamlined nomination process and pay artist fees. At this time we cannot guarantee a 2024 ceremony. But, throughout the year we will try to find ways to raise funds and reduce costs to make a 2024 ceremony possible. Any funds raised will go toward the goal of returning a full and equitable Gregory Award process to the community.

For this virtual celebration we have decided not to award the Gregory Falls Sustained Achievement honor. We believe the winner of this lifetime achievement award deserves the opportunity to gather in-person with friends and peers in honor of their lifetime achievements. 

TLDR:

What this virtual award celebration and fundraiser will include:

• Hosts TPS Tonight Stars Alexandria & Jimmy.
• Recognition of the nominees and announcement of the winners for People’s Choice Organization of the Years 2020-2023 for each of the 5 boroughs: North, East, South, West, and Central. 
• Community sharing of Grief, Gratitudes, Glimmers
• A preview of the TPS-hosted Theatre Online Resource & Community Hub (TORCH) – a resource rich and streamlined new website to better serve the community.
• Recognition of the Melissa Hines honoree.
• Awarding a new TeenTix-presented Outstanding Youth Theater Advocate Honoree.
• Announcement of the Award Categories for the 2024 Gregory Awards; the relaunch of the nomination process is around the corner! 

Other Odds & Ends:

• Purchased tickets will be refunded or can be rolled into our 2024 Gregory Award fundraising goal.
• TPS will pay all contracts signed for in-person entertainment and services.
• The online silent auction will continue online as planned and will close at 9pm.
• Although event attendance will be free, you will need to register for a spot HERE.

We hope to see you at this virtual community celebration on October 23rd, 2023, beginning at 7:30pm. 

Sincerely,

The TPS Team

The Gregory Awards began life in 1998 as the Gregory A. Falls Sustained Achievement Award. Over the following 11 years, it honored individuals who spent much of their careers strengthening theatre in our region. In 2009, while continuing this tradition, we also added six annual categories and incorporated the Falls award into our first Gregory Awards, which were presented at a gala event on October 19, 2009 at the Intiman Theatre.

After a three-year pandemic imposed hiatus, we are excited to bring back the Gregory Awards for a 23rd annual special event. This year’s awards will celebrate our community resilience and dedication during this unprecedented time.