Last night the 2022 CONDA Award nominations were announced at a small ceremony at the Civic Theatre Bar.
71 productions were submitted for the City of Newcastle Drama Association Awards program this year which spawned 177 nominations – The most the awards have ever seen.
In total, 27 awards will be handed out at the ceremony later this year including accolades for technical and design elements as well as directors, choreographers and musical directors.
This year, a new category was introduced to recognise the increasing participation of national actors who are brought into Newcastle productions as guest performers.
“Newcastle is attracting national attention as an arts city, thanks to the quality work being produced in the region,” the President of the City of Newcastle Drama Association, Dr Shane Bransdon, said.
“As a result, local producers are attracting talent from around Australia to work on Newcastle-based productions.”
Award winners will be announced at the CONDA Awards ceremony on Saturday 10 December at Newcastle City Hall. Check out the full list of nominees below and visit civictheatrenewcastle.com.au to purchase tickets to the award ceremony.
2022 CONDA AWARD NOMINATIONS
1. Excellence in Hair, Make-up and Wigs
Lisa Bone & Kate Hanna, Madagascar a Musical Adventure JR, Hunter School of the Performing Arts
George Francis & Rachel Millard, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, Metropolitan Players
George Francis & Rachel Millard, Shrek the Musical, Metropolitan Players
Callie McLean & Ben Gilbert, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Opera Hunter
Rachel Millard & Melanie Neilsen, Jersey Boys, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Rachel Millard & Melanie Neilsen, Seussical the Musical, Hunter Drama
Alicia Whelan, The Cost of Wishes, ASPIRE – Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Maitland
2. Excellence in Costume Design
Jennifer Ellicott, Jersey Boys, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Bev Fewins & Steven Harrison, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Metropolitan Players
Lauren Harvey, The Cost of Wishes, ASPIRE – Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Maitland
Coralie Lewis, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Opera Hunter
Jody Miller, CHICAGO, Chookas Entertainment
Marigold Pazar & Charlotte De Wit, Uncle Vanya, Her Productions
Anne Robinson, Kadisha Patterson & Kaysia Dowie, In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play), Maitland Repertory Theatre
Maddie Watts, SpongeBob the Musical, Young People’s Theatre
3. Excellence in Set & Prop Design
Meg Connelly, Puffs, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Lisa Little, The Cost of Wishes, ASPIRE – Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Maitland
Jody Miller, CHICAGO, Chookas Entertainment
David Murray, The Fine Art of Deception, Newcastle Theatre Company
Daniel Shaunessy, In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play), Matiland Repertory Theatre
Daniel Stoddart, Kayla Crowe, Hayley Stoddart & Phillip Stoddart, Seussical the Musical, Hunter Drama
Allison Van Gaal, Trevor, Knock and Run Theatre
Maddie Watts, The SpongeBob Musical, Young People’s Theatre
4. Excellence in Lighting Design
Soph Bott, The Fine Art of Deception, Newcastle Theatre Company
Lyndon Buckley, The Cost of Wishes, ASPIRE – Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Maitland
Michael Cooper & Damon Herington, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, St Philips Christian College
Jacob Harwood & Lyndon Buckley, CHICAGO, Chookas Entertainment
Jacob Harwood, Jersey Boys, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Jacob Harwood, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, Metropolitan Players
Jacob Harwood, Puffs, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Xavier Shaw, Treasure Island, Hunter School of the Performing Arts
5. Excellence in Sound Design
Jacob Harwood, Disney’s Frozen JR, St Philips Christian College
Jacob Harwood, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, St Philips Christian College
Jacob Harwood, Jersey Boys, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Jacob Harwood, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, Metropolitan Players
Jacob Harwood, Puffs, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Jacob Harwood, Seussical the Musical, Hunter Drama
Jacob Harwood, Shrek the Musical, Metropolitan Players
6. Excellence in Audio-Visual, Multimedia and Projection
James Chapman & Kelton O’Shea, She Kills Monsters, Hunter Drama
Jacob Harwood, Seussical the Musical, Hunter Drama
Jacob Harwood, Jersey Boys, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Belle Holliday-Williams, Disney’s Frozen JR, St Philips Christian College
Rocky Sovechles, The Les Darcy Show, Newcastle Theatre Company
7. Legacy Award
Betty Burns, Civic Playhouse Box Office Manager (retired)
Michael Wiltshire, Civic Playhouse Box Office Manager (retired)
Noel Grivas, Beloved Newcastle Theatre Maker (award presented posthumously).
8. Excellence by a Performer 18 and Under in a Supporting Role – Musical
Samuel Mackintosh, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, St Philips Christian College
Angus Mackintosh, Disney’s Frozen JR, St Philips Christian College
Eloise Mahoney, Madagascar the Musical Adventure JR, Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Lexi Moore, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, St Philips Christian College
Layla Schillert, Be More Chill, Chookas Entertainment
Layla Schillert, Seussical the Musical, Hunter Drama
Jack Van Esveld, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, St Philips Christian College
Ruby Wooster, Madagascar the Musical Adventure JR, Hunter School of the Performing Arts
9. Excellence by a Performer 18 and Under in a Lead Role – Musical
Madison Barr, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, St Philips Christian College
Timothy Davies, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, St Philips Christian College
Jessie Edmonds, Seussical the Musical, Hunter Drama
Stephanie Hanlon, The Wizard of Oz, Young Performer’s Edition, Young People’s Theatre
Patrick Howlett, The Cost of Wishes, ASPIRE – Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Maitland
Anaiya Mahony, Seussical the Musical, Hunter Drama
Bridget Ponman, SpongeBob the Musical, Young People’s Theatre
Jude Schillert, Oliver, Hunter Drama
10. Excellence By a Performer 18 and Under – Play
Julia Boyd, Normal, Hunter Drama
Emma Blanch, Normal, Hunter Drama
Chloe Hilkemeijer, Treasure Island, Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Molly-Anne Kelly-Newton, Romeo and Juliet, Young People’s Theatre
Layla Schillert, Puffs, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Jude Schillert, Treasure Island, Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Kensington Steele, Kid Frankenstein, Hunter Drama
11. Best 18 and Under Ensemble
ASPIRE Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Maitland, The Cost of Wishes, ASPIRE – Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Maitland
Hunter Drama, Kid Frankenstein, Hunter Drama
Hunter Drama, She Kills Monsters, Hunter Drama
Hunter School of the Performing Arts, Madagascar the Musical Adventure JR, Hunter School of the Performing Arts
St Philips Christian College, Disney’s Frozen JR, St Philips Christian College
St Philips Christian College, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, St Philips Christian College
Young People’s Theatre, SpongeBob the Musical, Young People’s Theatre
12. Best Production – 18 and Under
Aspire Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Maitland, The Cost of Wishes, ASPIRE – Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Maitland
Hunter Drama, Kid Frankenstein, Hunter Drama
Hunter Drama, She Kills Monsters, Hunter Drama
Hunter School of the Performing Arts, Madagascar the Musical Adventure JR, Hunter School of the Performing Arts
St Philips Christian College, Disney’s Frozen JR, St Philips Christian College
St Philips Christian College, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, St Philips Christian College
13. Best Ensemble – Play
Bearfoot Theatre, I Hope it’s not raining in London, Bearfoot Theatre
Brunker Community Theatre, The Children, Brunker Community Theatre
Chookas Entertainment, 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche
Her Productions, Uncle Vanya, Her Productions
Knock and Run Theatre, Airness, Knock and Run Theatre
Knock and Run Theatre Company, Trevor, Knock and Run Theatre
Maitland Repertory Theatre, Veronica’s Room, Maitand Repertory Theatre
Very Popular Theatre Company, Puffs, The Very Popular Theatre Company
14. Best Ensemble – Musical
Chookas Entertainment, CHICAGO, Chookas Entertainment
Hunter Drama, Seussical the Musical, Hunter Drama
Metropolitan Players, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, Metropolitan Players
Metropolitan Players, Shrek the Musical, Metropolitan Players
Opera Hunter, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Opera Hunter
Very Popular Theatre Company, Jersey Boys, The Very Popular Theatre Company
15. Excellence by a Guest Performer
Mike Booth, Uncle Vanya, Her Productions
Ross Chisari, Jersey Boys, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Tristan McKinnon, Uncle Vanya, Her Productions
Alex Sefton, La Traviata, Opera Hunter
Ashlee Woodgate, La Traviata, Opera Hunter
16. Excellence by a Performer in a Supporting Role – Musical
Katie Blaxland, Jersey Boys, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Danny Folpp, CHICAGO, Chookas Entertainment
Drew Holmes, CHICAGO, Chookas Entertainment
Amber Lewis, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Opera Hunter
Riley McLean, Be More Chill, Chookas Entertainment
Rachelle Schmidt Adnum, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Opera Hunter
Rob Vidler, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, Metropolitan Players
17. Excellence by a Performer in a Supporting Role – Play
Nick Allen-Ducat, Puffs, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Derek Fisher, Barefoot in the Park, Newcastle Theatre Company
Megan Kennedy, Dale and Kevin Go to Heaven, The Objectively Good Theatre Company
Megan Kennedy, Puffs, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Karen Lantry, Uncle Vanya, Her Productions
Guil Noronha, Keeping Up Appearances, Metropolitan Players
Maike Strichow, Uncle Vanya, Her Productions
Connie Voisey-Barlin, In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play), Maitland Repertory Theatre
18. Excellence by a Performer in a Leading Role – Musical
Luke Aspinall, Shrek the Musical, Metropolitan Players
Kacie Bourke, CHICAGO, Chookas Entertainment
Drew Holmes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, Metropolitan Players
Drew Holmes, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Opera Hunter
Thomas James, Jersey Boys, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Luke Power, Jersey Boys, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Zoe Walker, CHICAGO, Chookas Entertainment
19. Excellence by a Performer in a Leading Role – Play
James Chapman, Trevor, Knock and Run Theatre
Carl Gregory, Barefoot in the Park, Newcastle Theatre Company
Anna Lambert, Bash, Newcastle Theatre Company
Karen Lantry, Trevor, Knock and Run Theatre
Cath Patterson, Shirely Valentine, Bare Productions
Marigold Pazar, Uncle Vanya, Her Productions
Rachelle Schmidt Adnum, Ghosts, All’s One Theatre Company
Barry Shepherd, The Rest is Silence, Newcastle Theatre Company
20. Best New Play or Musical Written for a Newcastle Company
Scott Bevan, The Rest is Silence, Newcastle Theatre Company
Carl Caulfield, Creativity, Stray Dogs Theatre Company
Carl Caulfield, Fine Art of Deception, Newcastle Theatre Company
Anna Kerrigan, The Cost of Wishes, ASPIRE – Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Maitland
Theo Rule and Jared Mainey, Dale and Kevin Go to Heaven, The Objectively Good Theatre Company
21. Best Special Theatrical Event
Concert for Ukraine, Australian Ukrainian Community of the Hunter
Play Date, Knock and Run Theatre
Newcastle & Hunter Combined Schools ANZAC Service
22. Excellence by a Choreographer
Maddie Baillie & Jody Miller, CHICAGO, Chookas Entertainment
Natalie Baker, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, St Philips Christian College
Mick Dean, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Metropolitan Players
Lauren Harvey, Seussical the Musical, Hunter Drama
Xanthie Pagac & Evie Laurence, The Wolves, Newcastle Theatre Company
Adam Soldo, The Les Darcy Show, Newcastle Theatre Company
Jade Webber, Madagascar the Musical Adventure JR, Hunter School of the Performing Arts
Rachel Wilson, Jersey Boys, The Very Popular Theatre Company
23. Excellence by a Music or Vocal Director
Luke Baker, Shrek the Musical, Metropolitan Players
Lindy Connett, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, St Philips Christian College
Lindy Connett, Disney’s Frozen JR, St Philips Christian College
Mathew Gallimore, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Opera Hunter
Alison Hodge, Seussical the Musical, Hunter Drama
Alex Rigby, CHICAGO, Chookas Entertainment
Chris Vidler, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, Metropolitan Players
Daniel Wilson, Jersey Boys, The Very Popular Theatre Company
24. Excellence by a Director – Musical
Daniel Stoddart & Daniel Wilson, Jersey Boys, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Daniel Stoddart & Lauren Harvey, Seussical the Musical, Hunter Drama
Robert Stuart, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, St Philips Christian College
Allison Van Gaal, CHICAGO, Chookas Entertainment
25. Excellence by a Director – Play
Meri Bird, The Children, Brunker Community Theatre
Julie Black, Barefoot in the Park, Newcastle Theatre Company
Charlotte De Wit & Marigold Pazar, Uncle Vanya, Her Productions
Samuel Jenkins, HIR, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Daniel Stoddart, Puffs, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Allison Van Gaal, Trevor, Knock and Run Theatre
Claire Williams & Phillip Ross, The Rest is Silence, Newcastle Theatre Company
26. Best Musical Production
Chookas Entertainment, CHICAGO, Chookas Entertainment
Hunter Drama, Seussical the Musical, Hunter Drama
Metropolitan Players, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical, Metropolitan Players
Metropolitan Players, Shrek the Musical, Metropolitan Players
Opera Hunter, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Opera Hunter
Very Popular Theatre Company, Jersey Boys, The Very Popular Theatre Company
27. Best Dramatic Production
Her Productions, Uncle Vanya, Her Productions
Knock and Run Theatre Company, Trevor, Knock and Run Theatre
Newcastle Theatre Company, Barefoot in the Park, Newcastle Theatre Company
Very Popular Theatre Company, HIR, The Very Popular Theatre Company
Very Popular Theatre Company, Puffs, The Very Popular Theatre Company
