The Red Carpet

Q: How did you come with this idea? Was it just because the name worked eerily well?

A: The idea was born during lunch. The three of us got to chatting and wondered why don't we have a theater awards show at Princeton. Something like the Tony Awards - the PrinceTONY Awards! And with such a priceless pun, it wasn't something we could pass up.

Q: Do you think this is going to foster hostility or a greater sense of community among the theater crowd?

A: The goals of the Academy are to foster a greater sense of community in the theater arts on campus, honor excellence in theater in the past season and increase attendance at shows throughout the year. The "Princeton theatre community" is a term that often gets tossed around in the abstract, but this event will be the first time everyone can come together in order to celebrate the accomplishments of the year.

Q: Why has it taken so long for this to happen?

A: We're not sure. It's the type of idea that would only be implemented by people who have been involved with theater for a while at Princeton, and with several different organizations. Of course, those people are usually seniors and quickly graduate. We wanted a chance to leave a legacy on the performing arts scene at Princeton - something that will only improve a community we've been so lucky to be a part of.

Q: Do you think the Academy is going to continue next year? And beyond?

A: Yes. A lot of effort has been put into creating an institutional structure that will exist for years to come: Creating a recognized student group, keeping track of contacts and appointing next year's leaders will ease the transition when we all graduate. Plus, all of the student groups are really excited to be a part of the PrinceTONY Awards, so we're sure the enthusiasm will stick around.

Q: Who are going to be the hosts?

A: We're splitting the hosting responsibilities among the three of us. Members of the academy will present awards throughout the course of the evening and, of course, there will be musical performances from the nominees.

Q: Is there going to be a red carpet? Who's going to play Joan Rivers?

A: It wouldn't be an awards show without a red carpet, now would it? Unfortunately Dean Malkiel wasn't available to act as our red carpet maiden.

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Q: Are there going to be acceptance speeches? Are the speakers going to be booed if they speak too long?

A: Every PrinceTONY Award comes with a chance to address your theater peers. Of course, in true awards fashion, we'll have our fingers on a sound cue to keep people from giving 30-minute manifestos. Luckily, with such a creative and smart bunch, we're sure the speeches will be a nice mix of the humorous and the heart-felt; a really great opportunity for artists to speak to the people who have influenced them.

The PrinceTONY Awards will take place on May 11 at 8 p.m. in the Stewart Theater at 185 Nassau St. More information, including nominees and academy members, are available at princeton.edu/~ptony.

Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Isabel Schwab and Adam Tanaka.