Excellence in Make-up and Hair Design
Nominations
Hannah Buck, make-up design, The Aristocats Kids (Opera Hunter)
Sonja Davis, make-up design, Legend of the Golden Sands (Footlice Theatre Company)
Valmai Drury and George Francis, hair and wigs design, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
George Francis, hair and wigs design, The Little Mermaid Jr (Hunter Region Drama School)
Kim Houston, make-up design, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
Stephanie Mills, make-up design, The Little Mermaid Jr (Hunter Region Drama School)
Winner
Sonja Davis
Make-up ‘Legend of the Golden Sands’
Footlice Theatre Company
In this charming play written to delight children, the cast engaged with the audience at close
quarters, so makeup was an important factor in bringing characters such as a naughty water-sprite
and a loveable cat to life. Sonja Davis designed and executed some very clever and effective
makeup that added greatly to the enjoyment of the production.
Excellence in Costume Design
Nominations
Jennifer Ellicott and Kerrie Fischer, The Little Mermaid Jr (Hunter Region Drama School)
Bev Fewins, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
Fiona Mundie, Janet Mundie and Sonja Davis, Legend of the Golden Sands (Footlice Theatre
Company)
Bianca Posavec, Elena Morris-Britten, Alison Byrne, Lee Wells and Brianna Thomas, The
Wizard of Oz (Hunter School of the Performing Arts)
Lauren Wheatley, A Night in The Forest (Aspire)
Winner
Jennifer Ellicott and Kerrie Fischer ‘The Little Mermaid Jr’
Hunter Region Drama School
Designing costumes for various fish, mermaids, crustaceans and an octopus is a great challenge.
Jennifer Ellicott and Kerrie Fischer rose to the challenge and presented imaginative costumes that
were a delight to the eye and practical for performance.
Excellence in Set and Props Design
Nominations
Rod Ansell, Greg Shearer, Stephen Hill and Kevin Rogers, set design, Macbeth (Young People’s
Theatre)
Felicity Biggins and Robyn Greenwell, set design, The Anatomy of Buzz (Stray Dogs Theatre)
Chris Bird and Brian Lowe, set design, Footrot Flats: The Musical (Theatre on Brunker)
Chris Bird and Brian Lowe, set design, It’s My Party (And I’ll Die If I Want To) (Theatre on
Brunker)
Graeme Black and Donna Nipperess, set design, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
John Deacon, puppetry, Jack and The Beanstalk (Young People’s Theatre)
John Grogan and Daniel Stoddart, set design, The Little Mermaid (Hunter Region Drama School)
Wendy Leis, set design, Snow White (Young People’s Theatre)
Joel Yager, set design, Checklist for an Armed Robber (Stooged Theatre)
Winner
John Grogan and Daniel Stoddart
Drama School
Set Design
‘The Little Mermaid Jr’
Hunter Region
Not only was the set for ‘The Little Mermaid Jr’ imaginative, bright and attractive, but its
complexity did not stop it from working efficiently and effectively. The action of the play was
allowed to flow freely because the many set changes were swiftly achieved as a result of clever and
practical design.
Excellence in Lighting Design
Nominations
Joshua Broadbent, Macbeth (Young People’s Theatre)
Lyndon Buckley, The Chosen (Tantrum Youth Arts)
Lyndon Buckley, Spent (Paper Cut)
Jacob Harwood, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
Jacob Harwood, The Little Mermaid Jr (Hunter Region Drama School)
Sarah Jane Judge, Calendar Girls (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Elese Murray, Checklist for an Armed Robber (Stooged Theatre)
Alex Waye, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Young People’s Theatre)
Alex Waye, Lost in Yonkers (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Gererd Wilson, Diving Off the Edge of the World (Tantrum Youth Arts)
Winner
Lyndon Buckley
‘The Chosen’ Tantrum Youth Arts
A play that deals with the possibility of the paranormal has scope for some fine lighting effects and
Lyndon Buckley designed a lighting plot that avoided cliché and skilfully highlighted the
atmosphere of the piece as it moved from normal to paranormal and familiar to alien. The lighting
added to the mood of the play without ever dominating.
Excellence in Sound Design
Nominations
Rod Ansell and Tom Lovat, Macbeth (Young People’s Theatre)
Ryan Burrett, Undertow (from Savoury Eats, the Regional Institute of Performing Arts)
Christopher Harley and Luke Standen- The Merchant of Venice (Stooged Theatre)
Huw Jones, Spent (Paper Cut)
Zackari Watt, Diving Off the Edge of the World (Tantrum Youth Arts)
Winner
Huw Jones
‘Spent’
Paper Cut
In this slick, witty and fast-paced production that examined the supermarket culture, all elements
had to integrate seamlessly. The sound incorporated everything from robotic, repetitive and
mechanical to the strains of high opera and was so well integrated that it was hard to separate it
from the action and the atmosphere. It was an intelligent and clever sound design.
Excellence by a Choreographer
Nominations
Kirby-Leigh Coker and Lauren Handsaker, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
Annabel Fleming, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Young People’s Theatre)
Jo Ford, The Little Mermaid Jr (Hunter Region Drama School)
Lauren Wheatley, A Night in The Forest (Aspire)
Winner
Jo Ford
‘The Little Mermaid Jr’
Hunter Region Drama School
Jo Ford embraced the challenge of moving a production that was set for the most part under the sea
with characters in very elaborate costumes. This required complex and clever choreography, much
of which involved roller skates. The result was a joyful, fast moving feast for the eyes.
Excellence by a Musical Director
Nominations
Kieran Norman, Company (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Bruce Rowlatt, The Wizard of Oz (Hunter School of the Performing Arts)
Chris Vidler, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
Winner
Chris Vidler
‘Hairspray’
Metropolitan Players
The orchestra for ‘Hairspray’ was well balanced and well drilled. It complemented the action, thus
allowing singers and dancers to display their skills to full advantage. Chris Vidler’s work as musical
director was one of the highlights of this feel-good production.
Excellence by a Performing Ensemble
Nominations
Aftershocks, DAPA Theatre
The Amorous Ambassador, DAPA Theatre
Annie, Maitland Gilbert and Sullivan and Musical Society
Checklist for an Armed Robber, Stooged Theatre
The Chosen, Tantrum Youth Arts
Company, Newcastle Theatre Company
God of Carnage, Newcastle Theatre Company
Hairspray, Metropolitan Players
The Little Mermaid Jr, Hunter Region Drama School
Macbeth, Young People’s Theatre
The Merchant of Venice, Stooged Theatre
Mr Bennet's Bride, Newcastle Theatre Company
A Night in The Forest, Aspire
The Wizard of Oz, Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Winner
‘Aftershocks’ DAPA Theatre
Verbatim theatre runs the risk of becoming static. Director Callan Purcell and his ensemble avoided
this trap by continual and meaningful change of position, grouping and pace. This was ensemble
work that was well rehearsed and intelligently and sensitively handled by director and cast.
Excellence by a Female Actor Under 18
Nominations
Phoebe Clarke, The Three Musketeers (The Grainery Theatre Company)
Juliette Coates, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
Jasmine Hunt-Gordon, Legend of the Golden Sands (Footlice Theatre Company)
Cassie Osborne, Romeo and Juliet (Hunter Region Drama School Actors’ Company)
Jordan Warner, Annie (Maitland Gilbert and Sullivan and Musical Society)
Winner
Phoebe Clarke ‘The Three Musketeers’
The Grainery Theatre Company
In this rollicking play Phoebe Clarke portrayed numerous characters, including a musketeer and a
French queen, with the fast pace requiring her to change at lightning speed from one to the other.
She understood the absurdity of the piece and had the technical ability to convey the sense of
character through elegant movement, impeccable diction and fine comic timing.
Excellence by a Male Actor Under 18
Nominations
Nicholas Hamilton, The Little Mermaid Jr (Hunter Region Drama School)
Hadrian Le Goff, Macbeth (Young People’s Theatre)
Jerry Ray, Romeo and Juliet (Hunter Region Drama School Actors’ Company)
Thomas Rodgers, The Little Mermaid Jr (Hunter Region Drama School)
Nicholas Thoroughgood, Lost In Yonkers (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Alex Waye, Lost In Yonkers (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Winner
Alex Waye and
Nicholas Thoroughgood
‘Lost in Yonkers’ Newcastle Theatre
Company
These two young men worked excellently as a team in portraying teenage brothers who survive the
alien environment of their grandmother’s American home. They sustained their accents well and
conveyed the humour and helplessness present in the script as their characters developed. Their
performances were technically strong and intelligently presented.
Youth Grant
Nominations
Kimberley Dingle- Pantseat Productions
Bonnie McPeak- Hunter Region Drama School
India Wilson- Tantrum Theatre
Winner
Kimberley Dingle
Sixteen year old Kimberley Dingle is a deeply committed member of the theatre community. She has
shown great courage and diligence in her creative arts endeavours and has worked tirelessly to develop
her vocal skills, acting skills and stage management skills. The CONDA judges, along with Kimberley’s
teachers at Pantseat Productions have noticed Kimberley’s development over the recent years and are
truly astounded at her progress. It is hoped that Kimberley will be able to use the grant money to assist
her learning by attending professional productions and workshops at NIDA and Sydney Theatre
Company.
Best Special Theatrical Event
Nominations
Diving Off the Edge of the World, Tantrum Youth Arts
Love, Life and Opera, Hunter Opera
Mix Tape: Remixed, Pantseat Productions
A Night in The Forest, Aspire
On My Way, Pantseat Productions
Panic, Open Cage Ensemble
Spent, Paper Cut
Up In the Air - A Zeus Tale, Circus Avalon
Winner
‘Diving Off the Edge of the World’ Tantrum Youth Arts
This was a multi-media presentation requiring thoughtful organisation of crowd movement as
groups were led from one location to another around the Newcastle Ocean Baths. A great deal of
energy , enthusiasm and commitment by those involved provided fond memories for older audience
members and a realisation of the rich history of Newcastle for younger ones. It was an educational
and enjoyable event.
Excellence by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominations
Marjorie Butcher, The Chosen (Tantrum Youth Arts)
Alison Cox, Mr Bennet’s Bride (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Annie Devine, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
Charlotte De Wit, The Little Mermaid Jr (Hunter Region Drama School)
Chloe Forster, The Merchant of Venice (Stooged Theatre)
Tracey Gordon, Mr Bennet’s Bride (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Jan Hunt, The Amorous Ambassador (DAPA Theatre)
Rachel Jackett, The Removalists (Stooged Theatre)
Angela McKeown, The Anatomy of Buzz (Stray Dogs Theatre)
Jane Martin, Beauty and The Beast (Maitland Gilbert and Sullivan and Musical Society)
Stephanie Priest, Company (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Arlene Richards, Calendar Girls (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Alana Silcock, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
Emma Wood, The Removalists (Stooged Theatre)
Katie Wright, It’s My Party (And I’ll Die If I Want To) Theatre on Brunker
Winner
Annie Devine ‘Hairspray’
Metropolitan Players
Motormouth Maybelle has some wonderful ballads to belt out in ‘Hairspray’ and Annie Devine
rendered them with gusto. She brought to this colourful character all the vivacity required so that
she owned the role, the songs and the stage.
Excellence by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominations
Ian Barton, The Amorous Ambassador (DAPA Theatre)
Andrew Black, The Amorous Ambassador (DAPA Theatre)
Carl Caulfield, The Weir (Stooged Theatre)
Ian Crouch, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
Scott Eveleigh, The Merchant of Venice (Stooged Theatre)
Philip McGrath, The Weir (Stooged Theatre)
Guilherme Noronha, Beauty and the Beast (Maitland Gilbert and Sullivan and Musical Society)
Theo Rule, The Anatomy of Buzz (Stray Dogs Theatre)
Winner
Scott Eveleigh
‘The Merchant of Venice’
Stooged Theatre
The role allotted to Scott Eveleigh in the program of this production of ‘The Merchant of Venice’
was Salanio, a friend of the title character who is concerned when ill-fortune drains the merchant’s
wealth and happiness. But Eveleigh also played several other roles with equal aplomb, including a
memorable Prince of Morocco, shown in the production’s contemporary setting as a rock singer.
His performance skills were certainly well utilised in this lively interpretation of the Shakespeare
classic.
Excellence by a Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Nominations
Kiani Sansom, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
Winner
Kiani Sansom ‘Hairspray’
Metropolitan Players
Kiani Sansom gave energy and joy to the role of Tracy, a plump teenage schoolgirl who is treated
with scorn by many of her compatriots and adults. Her singing, dancing and acting brought vividly
to life the ‘Hairspray’ story about a girl helping to create social change.
Excellence by a Male Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Nominations
Luke Power, Footrot Flats: The Musical (Theatre on Brunker)
Callan Purcell, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
Malcolm Young, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
Winner
Malcolm Young
‘Hairspray’
Metropolitan Players
In his role of Edna, a housebound wife and mother, Malcolm Young gave a sensitive and strong
performance. He was able to create a comic and endearing character without resorting to the
obvious and tired humour that is often associated with roles requiring cross-dressing.
Excellence by a Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Drama or Comedy
Nominations
Rosemary Dartnell, God Of Carnage (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Angie Diaz, Checklist for an Armed Robber (Stooged Theatre)
Janet Gillam, Calendar Girls (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Janet Gillam, Checklist for an Armed Robber (Stooged Theatre)
Jan Hunt, Calendar Girls (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Jan Hunt, A Knight to Remember (Footlice Theatre Company)
Linda Read, God Of Carnage (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Giverny Lewis, The Merchant of Venice (Stooged Theatre)
Fiona Mundie, Pyjamas in the Daytime (Footlice Theatre Company)
Precila Selui, Ofa (from Savoury Eats, the Regional Institute of Performing Arts)
Nola Wallace, Lost In Yonkers (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Amy Wilde, The Boys (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Winner
Fiona Mundie ‘Pyjamas in the Daytime’
Footlice Theatre Company
As Phyllis, the resident in an aged care facility, Fiona Mundie gave a masterful performance. It was
beautifully understated and obviously the result of careful observation and research. She used her
body to show age and her face to express personality with amazing physical control. This was a
truly moving performance.
Excellence by a Male Actor in a Leading Role in a Drama or Comedy
Nominations
Dean Blackford, Mr Bennet's Bride (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Timothy Blundell, The Merchant of Venice (Stooged Theatre)
Michael Byrne, The Boys (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Michael Byrne, God Of Carnage (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Michael Byrne, Withnail and I (Pencil Case Productions)
Lindsay Carr, The Odd Couple (DAPA Theatre)
James Chapman, Sleuth (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Mitchell Cox, Checklist for an Armed Robber (Stooged Theatre)
Jared Mainey, The Three Musketeers (The Grainery Theatre Company)
Philip McGrath, The Odd Couple (DAPA Theatre)
Richard Murray, God Of Carnage (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Harold Phipps, Macbeth (Young People’s Theatre)
Callan Purcell, Checklist for an Armed Robber (Stooged Theatre)
Callan Purcell, The Removalists (Stooged Theatre)
Dez Robertson, The Anatomy of Buzz (Stray Dogs Theatre)
Theo Rule, The Three Musketeers (The Grainery Theatre Company)
Barry Shepherd, The Weir (Stooged Theatre)
Mark Spencer, The Amorous Ambassador (DAPA Theatre)
Brian Wark, It's My Party (And I'll Die If I Want To) (Theatre on Brunker)
Glen Waterhouse, The Merchant of Venice (Stooged Theatre)
Glen Waterhouse, The Removalists (Stooged Theatre)
Winner
Callan Purcell ‘The Removalists’
Stooged Theatre
Callan Purcell’s performance as the rookie cop in this Australian classic was outstanding. His
character moved from that of naïve and sympathetic youth to a man practically and ruthlessly
protective of himself as he adapted to a world where violence ruled. This was a riveting portrayal of
vulnerability and innocence destroyed.
Excellence by a Director (Musical)
Nominations
Julie Black, Hairspray (Metropolitan Players)
Katy Booth and Emily Taylor, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Young People’s
Theatre)
Daniel Stoddart, The Little Mermaid Jr (Hunter Region Drama School)
Winner
Julie Black
‘Hairspray’
Metropolitan Players
This production of ‘Hairspray’ rollicked along at a good pace as it moved through constant scene
changes with no disruption to the story. Julie Black balanced the many aspects of musical theatre in
this work with assurance and precision and without ever cramping the fun of it all.
Excellence by a Director (Drama or Comedy)
Nominations
Rod Ansell, Macbeth (Young People’s Theatre)
Julie Black, Mr Bennet's Bride (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Julie Black, The Odd Couple (DAPA Theatre)
Meri Bird, It’s My Party (And I’ll Die If I Want To) (Theatre on Brunker)
Isobel Denholm, Calendar Girls (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Thomas Gorton, Undertow (from Savoury Eats, the Regional Institute of Performing Arts)
Amy Hardingham, The Chosen (Tantrum Youth Arts)
Amy Hardingham and Lucy Shepherd, Diving Off the Edge of the World (Tantrum Youth
Arts)
Merilyn Hey, Pyjamas in the Daytime (Footlice Theatre Company)
Susan Irwin, The Three Musketeers (The Grainery Theatre Company)
Chloe Perrett, Checklist for an Armed Robber (Stooged Theatre)
Callan Purcell, Aftershocks (DAPA Theatre)
Margaret Spencer, The Amorous Ambassador (DAPA Theatre)
John Wood, God Of Carnage (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Carl Young, The Merchant of Venice (Stooged Theatre)
Carl Young, The Removalists (Stooged Theatre)
Winner
Carl Young
‘The Merchant of Venice’
Stooged Theatre
In setting ‘The Merchant of Venice’ within the framework of a 21st century television quiz show
Carl Young retained the essence of the original text while highlighting its relevance to a modern
audience. His direction was assured, with good, even performances from his actors, a smooth flow
to the action and imaginative interpretation of the script.
Best Musical Production
Nominations
Hairspray, Metropolitan Players
The Little Mermaid Jr, Hunter Region Drama School
Winner
‘Hairspray’ Metropolitan Players
A combination of fine musical direction, well conceived and well executed choreography, clever
sets and costumes, accomplished direction and talented cast is a recipe for a successful musical
event. Metropolitan Players’ production of ‘Hairspray’ provided all these elements in abundance
resulting in an entertainment full of joy.
Best Dramatic Production
Nominations
Calendar Girls, Newcastle Theatre Company
Checklist for an Armed Robber, Stooged Theatre
The Chosen, Tantrum Youth Arts
The Merchant of Venice, Stooged Theatre
The Odd Couple, DAPA Theatre
Pyjamas in the Daytime, Footlice Theatre Company
The Removalists, Stooged Theatre
The Three Musketeers, The Grainery Theatre Company
Winner
‘Checklist for an Armed Robber’
Stooged Theatre
All four actors gave fine performances in their multiple roles in this play which was directed with
great skill on a set that worked effectively to allow the action to flow without interruption or
distraction. The scenes in a Newcastle bookshop were particularly moving, and many of the
vignettes in the Russian siege setting gave rise to disturbing moments. This was a compelling piece
of theatre on the strengths and weaknesses of humankind.
Best New Play Written for a Newcastle Company
Nominations
The Anatomy of Buzz, by Carl Caulfield (Stray Dogs Theatre)
Mr Bennet's Bride, by Emma Wood (Newcastle Theatre Company)
Pyjamas in the Daytime, by Grahame Cooper (Footlice Theatre Company)
Spent, by Sarah Coffee, Tamara Gazzard, Lucy Shepherd (Paper Cut)
Undertow, by Thomas Gorton (from Savoury Eats, the Regional Institute of Performing Arts)
Winner
‘Pyjamas in the Daytime’
Grahame Cooper
Footlice Theatre Company
This was a gentle play that looked with sympathy and humour at the situations faced by those who
live and work in nursing homes. It was written without unnecessary sentimentality and was
intensely moving. The interaction between resident and worker and the effects of change of
ownership and management strategy were well realised
Outstanding Achievement & Contribution to Theatre
Don Mitchell
For many years Don Mitchell has been a part of the theatre scene in Newcastle. He has been
particularly active in the less glamorous areas such as selling the tickets, counting the money,
keeping the books and sitting on committees.
He runs Hunter Theatre Supporters Group which, through organising theatre parties, encourages the
general public to support local theatre. Without an audience local community theatre cannot survive
and anyone who has ever attempted to organise a theatre party will appreciate the effort Don puts
into bringing so many people to local productions.
He sponsors the Youth Theatre Awards that are part of the CONDAs. He also supports the efforts of
youth theatre in the region by his work in administrative positions and his attendance at
performances.
When CONDA Inc. was formed he was a foundation committee member and continues to hold the
position of Treasurer on the committee.
In 2013, following the withdrawal of funding by Newcastle City Council, CONDA Inc. was deeply
in debt. It was only through a generous loan by Don Mitchell that our bills were paid last year.
Hopefully, in the course of the next few years CONDA Inc. will be able to repay this money, but
Don provided the financial help with no guarantee that he would ever be repaid.
Don Mitchell’s active and practical involvement in Newcastle theatre over very many years makes
him a worthy recipient of the award for Outstanding Achievement and Contribution to Theatre.