Outstanding Work in the Newcastle Theatre Community
2024/25 Nominees
Congratulations to the theatre companies and individuals who were recognised by the judges for their outstanding work in the Newcastle Theatre community in 2020/21. While the number of productions were limited due to the global pandemic, the judging panel was thrilled to have such a rich program of theatre for consideration:
Excellence in Hair and Wigs
- Courtney Lyall and CG Productions Les Divine Folles a Newy - Gailine Gaire Productions
- Hannah Barrett Footloose - St Philip's Christian College
- Kate Donaldson, Samantha Ferguson, Liz Troyer, Alexis Mathieson, Luca Scott Alice in Wonderland - Belmont Christian College
- Kelly Brien The Wizard of Oz - Metropolitan Players
- Lara Crocker and Lauren Harvey The Rise of Bozz - Aspire Catholic Schools Diocese of Maitland Newcastle
- Mel Ainsworth GREASE School Edition - Hunter School of the Performing Arts
- Ralf Jorg Morning Sacrifice - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Ralf Jorg and Dana Leon Oakley Sweeney Todd - Opera Hunter
Excellence in Makeup
- Claire Thomas The Shoemaker's Secret - Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- Courtney Lyall and CG Productions Les Divine Folles a Newy - Gailine Gaire Productions
- Kate Donaldson, Samantha Ferguson, Liz Troyer, Alexis Mathieson, Luca Scott Alice in Wonderland - Belmont Christian College
- Lara Crockett and Lauren Harvey The Rise of Bozz - Aspire Catholic Schools Diocese of Maitland Newcastle
- Mel Ainsworth and Student Team GREASE School Edition - Hunter School of the Performing Arts
- Rachel Millard Mamma Mia - The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Rachel Millard The Wizard of Oz - Metropolitan Players
- Zen Deininger & Zippie Tiffenright Cosa Vedranno: What Will They See? - Bearfoot Theatre
Excellence in Costume Design
- Coralie Lewis and Amber Lewis Sweeney Todd - Opera Hunter
- Kadisha Patterson The Wizard of Oz - Metropolitan Players
- Kiri Oliver Alice in Wonderland - Belmont Christian College
- Lainey Donnelly Dot and the Kangaroo JR. - Hunter Drama
- Louise Barcan and Harley Duguid Disney's Alice in Wonderland JR. - Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- Michele Taylor The Game's Afoot - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Pearl Nunn and The Cast Morning Sacrifice - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Riley McLean & Maddie Newland Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
Excellence in Set and Props Design
- Amy Wilde Morning Sacrifice - Newcastle Theatre Company Inc.
- Katy Booth You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown - Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- Lauren Harvey and James Chapman The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical - Hunter Drama
- Louise Barcan and Harley Duguid Disney's Alice in Wonderland JR. - Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- Maddie Watts and Chelsea Willis Into The Woods - Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- Samuel Jenkins Ruby Moon - Lindsay Street Players
- Tim Kemp The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? - Insight Acting & Chookas Entertainment
- Zac Smith The Game's Afoot - Newcastle Theatre Company
Excellence in Sound Design
- Alyshia Barnes The Tragedy of Macbeth - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Georgina Moore This Restless House - Cats In The Cupboard Productions
- Jacob Harwood The Wizard of Oz - Metropolitan Players
- JH Productions Sweeney Todd - Opera Hunter
- Liam Christianson The Father - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Lia Bundy and Tessa Mills The Shoemaker's Secret - Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- Taya Wallace The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Hunter School of the Performing Arts
- Zippie Tiffenright Cosa Vedranno: What Will They See? - Bearfoot Theatre
Excellence in Audio Visual Multimedia and Projection
- Belle Holliday-Williams and Michael Cooper Footloose - St Philip's Christian College
- Donna Nipperess and Samuel Brien The Wizard of Oz - Metropolitan Players
- JH Productions GREASE School Edition - Hunter School of the Performing Arts
- Katy Booth You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown - Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- Maddie Newland Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- Myf Furness McMahon The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Hunter School of the Performing Arts
- Tyler Dean-Brinkley Robin Hood and His Merry Men - Maitland Repertory Theatre
Excellence by a Performer 18 and Under in a Lead Role - Play
- Addison Raferty The Crucible - Hunter Drama
- Brielle McGugan A Very Very Very Dark Matter - Swansea High School
- Gabrielle Johns The Hanging - Maitland Repertory Theatre
- Holly Kynaston The Crucible - Hunter Drama
- Judea Schillert The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Hunter School of the Performing Arts
- Kye Dennis The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Hunter School of the Performing Arts
- Olivia Taylor A Very Very Very Dark Matter - Swansea High School
- Sam Lane The Crucible - Hunter Drama
Excellence in Lighting Design
- JH Productions Alice in Wonderland - Belmont Christian College
- JH Productions Sweeney Todd - Opera Hunter
- Lyndon Buckley #This Is Not Journalism - Australian Writers Theatre
- Michael Cooper and Samuel Scott Diary of a Wimpy Kid - St Phillip's Christian College
- Michelle York and Riordan Munnoch The Birds - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Riordan Munnoch The Tragedy of Macbeth - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Riordan Munnoch Into The Woods - Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- Xavier Shaw The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Excellence by a Performer 18 & Under in a Supporting Role - Musical
- Charlie Murphy Footloose - St Philip's Christian College
- Holly Kynaston The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - Hyde Entertainment
- Jacob Troyer Alice In Wonderland - Belmont Christian College
- Judea Schillert Calvin Berger - Hyde Entertainment
- Luca Wellham Footloose - St Philip's Christian College
- Reilly Mitchison Disney's Frozen JR. - Hunter Drama
- Samuel Goldsworthy Alice in Wonderland - Belmont Christian College
- Zaya Saltoun The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical - Hunter Drama
Excellence by a Performer 18 & Under in a Supporting Role - Play
- Addison Salter The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Hunter School of the Performing Arts
- Armani Mitchell The Crucible - Hunter Drama
- Cadel McCrea-Smith The Crucible - Hunter Drama
- Molly South Agatha Christie's SPIDER'S WEB - Maitland Repertory Theatre
- Jack Marshall The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Hunter School of the Performing Arts
- Myf McMahon The Tragedy of Macbeth - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Piper Graham The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Hunter School of the Performing Arts
- Samantha Allen The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Best Ensemble 18 & Under
- The Rise of Bozz, ASPIRE - Catholic Schools Office – Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Hunter School of the Performing Arts
- You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Young People’s Theatre Inc
- The Crucible, Hunter Drama
- Footloose, St Philip's Christian College
- Dot & The Kangaroo JR., Hunter Drama
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid, High Street Productions
- Alice in Wonderland, Belmont Christian College
Best Production - 18 and Under - Musical
- Alice in Wonderland Belmont Christian College
- Diary of A Wimpy Kid High Street Productions
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid Young People's Theatre
- Dot and the Kangaroo JR Hunter Drama
- Footloose St Philip's Christian College
- GREASE School Edition Hunter School of the Performing Arts
- The Rise of Bozz ASPIRE - Catholic Schools Office – Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
Best Production - 18 and Under - Play
- A Very Very Very Dark Matter Swansea High,
- Robin Hood and His Merry Men Maitland Repertory Theatre
- The Shoemaker's Secret Young People's Theatre
- The Crucible Hunter Drama
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Best Ensemble - Musical
- The Drowsy Chaperone, UON Musos
- The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Hunter Drama
- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Hyde Entertainment
- Into The Woods, Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- Sweeney Todd, Opera Hunter
- Sondheim on Sondheim, Opera Hunter
- Mystery Musical Vol.3, The Very Popular Theatre Co
Best Ensemble - Play
- Words, Words, Words, One For The Road Productions,
- The Father, Newcastle Theatre Company Inc.
- The Game's Afoot, Newcastle Theatre Company Inc.
- Morning Sacrifice, Newcastle Theatre Company Inc.
- Every Second,
- Now and Then, Knock & Run Theatre
- Seahorse, NTC Original
- Cosa Vedranno: What Will They See?, Bearfoot Theatre,
Excellence by a Performer in a Supporting Role in a Musical
- Alicia Patterson Mamma Mia - The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Becky McLennan Mamma Mia - The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Dom Lacey Sweeney Todd - Opera Hunter
- James Chapman The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical - Hunter Drama
- James Chapman The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical - Hunter Drama
- Maddie Watts Sweeney Todd - Opera Hunter
- Mick Dean The Wizard of Oz - Metropolitan Players
- Joshua Davies The Drowsy Chaperone - UON Musos
Excellence by a Performer in a Supporting Role in a Play
- Aiofe Gregory Every Second - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Anthony Roberts The Birds - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Deepika Yerrakalva The Game's Afoot - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Jessica Gray First Things First - Maitland Repertory Theatre
- Liz Vassilacos Now and Then - Knock & Run Theatre
- Megan Connelly Every Second - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Patrick Campbell The Dog Logs - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Samantha Lambert The Father - Newcastle Theatre Company
Excellence by a Performer in a Leading Role in a Musical
- Bridget Glennie Sweeney Todd - Opera Hunter
- Eamon Mahon The Drowsy Chaperone - UON Musos
- Imogen Bamback Mamma Mia - The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Jace Pickard Sweeney Todd - Opera Hunter
- Jonathan Scott The Wizard of Oz - Metropolitan Players
- Katie Blaxland Mystery Musical Vol 3 - The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Olivia Leathley The Drowsy Chaperone - UON Musos
Best New Play or Musical Written for a Newcastle Company
- Fractured - Not Another Fairy Tale Standing Tree Collective
- #This Is Not Journalism Australian Writers Theatre
- Cosa Vedranno: What Will They See? Bearfoot Theatre
- SEAHORSE NTC: Originals
- The Rise of Bozz Aspire Catholic Schools Diocese of Maitland Newcastle
- The Shoemaker's Secret Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- The Magic Hour Lulu Bell Productions
- The Understudies One for the Road
Best Special Theatrical Event
- Bubble Show In Space & Adult Bubble Show Bubble Laboratory
- Flood Stories 1955 Maitland Repertory Theatre
- Les Divine Folles a Newy Gailine Gaire Productions
- Star Struck 2025 Remixed Vol 33. NSW Department of Education
- Sondheim on Sondheim Opera Hunter
- The Last 25 years
Excellence by a Performer in a Leading Role in a Play
- Angela Robertson The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? - Insight Acting & Chookas Entertainment
- Bronwyn Sartori Morning Sacrifice - Newcastle Theatre Company
- James Chapman Hangman - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Joel Stibbard The Game's Afoot - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Mark Pegler #This is not journalism - Australian Writer's Theatre
- Paul Russell The Father - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Samantha Lambert Ruby Moon - Lindsay Street Players
- Sandy Aldred THE BIRDS - Newcastle Theatre Company
Excellence by a Choreographer
- Star Struck 2025 Remixed Vol 33. Hayley Vimpani and Choreography Team - NSW Department of Education
- The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical Lauren Harvey - Hunter Drama
- The Rise of Bozz Lauren Harvey - Aspire Catholic Schools Diocese of Maitland Newcastle
- The Drowsy Chaperone Lilly Grant - UON Musos
- The Wizard of Oz Mick Dean - Metropolitan Players
- Footloose Natalie Baker and Eva Marie Irwin - St Philip's Christian College
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid Natalie Baker - St Philip's Christian College
- GREASE School Edition Vanessa Ambrose, Bianca Jennings, Rachel Stark - Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Excellence by a Guest Artist
- Christopher Snape Mamma Mia - The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Erin Cornell Mamma Mia - The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Joe Kosky The Play That Goes Wrong - GMG Productions & Stoddart Entertainment Group
- Nigel Hook The Play That Goes Wrong - GMG Productions & Stoddart Entertainment Group
- Mike Tutaj Diary of a Wimpy Kid - High Street Productions
- Olivia Charalambous The Play That Goes Wrong - GMG Productions & Stoddart Entertainment Group
- Ryan McDonald The Rise of Bozz - Aspire Catholic Schools Diocese of Maitland Newcastle
- Tobhiyah Stone Feller The Rise of Bozz - Aspire Catholic Schools Diocese of Maitland Newcastle
Excellence by a Musical Director or Vocal Director
- Dean Selem and Johnathon Bullard, Rachael Sebastian The Drowsy Chaperone - UON Musos
- Gabrielle Connett Calvin Berger - Hyde Entertainment
- James Laundon Footloose - St Philip's Christian College
- Jody Miller and Peter McVie Star Struck 2025 Remixed Vol 33. - NSW Department of Education
- Mathew Gallimore Sondheim on Sondheim - Opera Hunter
- Mathew Gallimore Sweeney Todd - Opera Hunter
- Sarah Reeve GREASE School Edition - Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Excellence by a Director (Musical)
- Katy Booth You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown - Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- Lauren Harvey The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical - Hunter Drama
- Louise Barcan The Drowsy Chaperone - UON Musos
- Maddie Watts and Chelsea Willis Into The Woods - Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- Michael Cooper Diary of a Wimpy Kid - St Phillip's Christian College
- Naomi Stewart Alice in Wonderland - Belmont Christian College
- Riley McLean & Maddie Newland Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- Zac Smith Sweeney Todd - Opera Hunter
Excellence by a Director - Play
- Aiden Clark and Georgi Lamond The Father - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Luke Aspinall The Game's Afoot - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Michael King THE BIRDS - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Patrick Campbell Hangmen - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Pearl Nunn Morning Sacrifice - Newcastle Theatre Company
- Samuel Jenkins Ruby Moon - Lindsay Street Players
- Tim Kemp The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? - Insight Acting & Chookas Entertainment
- Zippie Tiffenright Cosa Vedranno: What Will They See? - Bearfoot Theatre
Best Musical Production
- Into The Woods, Young People's Theatre, Newcastle Inc.
- Mamma Mia, The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Mystery Musical Vol.3, The Very Popular Theatre Company
- Sweeney Todd, Opera Hunter
- UON Musos, The Drowsy Chaperone
- The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Hunter Drama
- The Wizard of Oz, Metropolitan Players
Best Dramatic Production
- #This Is Not Journalism, Australian Writers Theatre
- Every Second, Newcastle Theatre Company
- Morning Sacrifice, Newcastle Theatre Company
- The Father, Newcastle Theatre Company
- The Game's Afoot, Newcastle Theatre Company
- Now And Then, Knock & Run Theatre
- Ruby Moon, Lindsay Street Players
- The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia?, Insight Acting & Chookas Entertainment