Le Maschere Awards
The Le Maschere del Teatro Italiano ("The Masks of Italian Theatre"), more commonly known informally as the Le Maschere Award in Italian Le Maschere, recognizes achievement in live Italian theatre is the national theatre award of Italy. The awards are presented and decided by the "Ente Teatrale Italiano" (ETI) and supported by the Italian Ministry of Culture at an annual ceremony in Naples. The awards are given for Italian productions and performances. The Le Maschere Awards are considered the highest Italy theatre honor, the Italy theatre industry's equivalent to the American Tony Award in live productions  in the US, the Molière Award in France or the Olivier Award for theatre in UK.. History. Created in 2003 by desire of the ETI, the "Teatro Stabile del Veneto" and Italian Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Veneto region and the town of Vicenza, this annual award marks the boundary between the season theatrical ended and that we are going to open. Set as the Oscars of the cinema, the awards are divided into categories, each of which has a set of three finalists (the nomination) selected by a committee of experts (artists, critics and institutional personalities with  President outside the world of entertainment). The winner will be chosen by a jury composed of 300 artists and professionals in the Italian theater. The first phase of the prize (the creation of the nomination) takes place in Rome at the headquarters of the ETI. The artists of backhoe loaders are also received in the Quirinal by the President of the Republic . The second phase will be held in Venice, at the headquarters of the "Teatro Stabile del Veneto". Ceremonies. The awards ceremony takes place generally in September in the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza (hence the name of the prize ). Since the first edition of the ceremony was presented by Tullio Solenghi and deferred broadcast live on Rai Uno. The 2009 edition saw instead in the role of conductor Massimo Ranieri. Since 2011, the "Napoli Teatro Festival" organizes the award too, in collaboration with the AGIS (Association of Italian General Entertainment), renewing the tradition of the Premio Eti - The Olympic Theatre. Prizes are awarded in the frame of the "Teatro San Carlo" in Naples. 2003-2004. Ceremony held on Saturday, October 2. 2005. Awards Ceremony held on Friday 30 September. 2006. Awards Ceremony held on Friday 15 September. 2007. Awards  Ceremony held on Friday 14 September. 2008. Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, September 10. 2009. Awards Ceremony held on Friday September 11.