The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee evolved in response to a search by Chicago actors for a way to honor local theatre talent.
Joined by actors Guy Barile, Aviva Crane and June Travis Friedlob, Shuman identified and recruited twenty-four individuals active in education, business and social affairs.
These individuals originally met for a luncheon at the Ivanhoe Theatre and went on to become the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee under the first Chairmanship of Henry G. Plitt.
However, members must meet specific judging standards and can vote on the final ballot each season only if they have met their responsibilities for that complete year.
While many of the judges have retained long-standing membership histories, a few rotate off each year as new members are invited to join the committee.
In a more outspoken criticism of the awards, Time Out Chicago has published a "They Wuz Robbed" feature for both the non-Equity and Equity nominations.