Participating Organizations in DIVISION I for the 2025/2026 Season:
Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group | Germantown Community Theatre | Hattiloo Theatre
New Moon Theatre Company | Playhouse on the Square | Theatre Memphis
The following criteria are required for any collegiate, community, or professional theatre interested in participating in the Ostranders in the Division I category.
Eligible companies perform in Shelby County, unless approved by the Ostrander Director.
Participating theatres agree to provide complimentary tickets for Ostrander judges, according to the current voting process.
Eligible companies have produced a minimum of three (3) shows per season for a minimum of three (3) consecutive years.
Eligible companies have a full-time artistic staff, which may include (but is not limited to) an artistic director, technical director, or production manager. Questions about this criteria should be directed to the Ostrander Director.
Companies must publish a season of a minimum of three shows by July 1 for the following Ostrander year. Shows must be submitted for consideration directly to the Ostrander Director and/or Assistant.
If this is the first year for an organization to submit, it may be necessary for the Ostrander Director and/or chosen theatre judges to attend one or more productions of the theatre seeking qualification before granting full admission to the Ostrander organization. This is not to limit the number of organizations ultimately participating in the Ostranders but to ensure our judges are able to accommodate the pace of growth.
Qualifying productions must have at least 3 public performances
An award cannot be given more than once to the same artist or designer at the same producing organization for a production of the same title within 5 years.
If a show has been double cast, theatres will inform the judges which actor should be judged. There must be ample time for all required judges to see the designated actor.
Schedule changes must be submitted at least 3 weeks in advance.
Out-of-town directors, actors, choreographers, and technical staff are eligible to receive an Ostrander.
Play readings, workshops, or concerts will not be considered for judging.
The Ostrander committee does not judge children’s productions (performed primarily by high school age and below), productions by children’s theatre companies, or “Dinner Theatre” (any production where the cost of a base ticket includes food or drink).
Holiday productions or productions intended solely for fundraising reasons are among productions that theatres are encouraged to evaluate for possible omission or withdrawal for adjudication.