Theatre New Zealand
National Awards 2024

Recipients of these awards are selected from Local and Regional TheatreFest’s nationwide.

Excellence in Acting Award
Certificate presented for excellence in acting.

• Rob Price - Life is worth it written and directed by Mandy Thomas, Centre Stage Taupo
• Gracie Voice – Falling by Angie Farrow, Wairarapa Theatre Group
• Cam Sutcliffe - Child's Play by TJ Ramsey and Service! Please by C A Lines, Dramatix, South Canterbury

Distinctive Emerging Talent Award
Jannat Aitchison Memorial Certificate for Distinctive Emerging Talent. Selected by Past and Present Presidents.

• Aailyah Crawford – writer and director, Ramraids Racist, Kuranui College.
• Cameron Lines - for both scriptwriting and direction - Service, Please by C A Lines, Dramatix, South Canterbury
• Millie Vink – writer, director, actor, The Blueberry Hill Accord by Daryl Watson, Rangi Ruru Girls’ School
• Sienna Wheeler – acting. The Dilemma of Deidre Dearheart by Tony Barnes, Directed by Samantha Baxter. Marlborough Children & Youth Theatre.
• Garin College – Casts of 2024 - The Last Stand & Biting the Bull

New Director Award
Drama Development Trust Certificate: Directorial debut. Entering TheatreFest as a first-time Director in the public arena.

• David Ledezma, “Dreaming” by Richard James, Marlborough Repertory Society.

APRA Award (Not Awarded)
Recorded sound-scape and sound-effects.

Michael Norris Award
Certificate for Original composition and/or live Music.

• The Fall of Dracula – a mini musical by James Burt & Robert Kidd directed by Ellie Busfield & James Burt, My Chemical Showmance
• Ōtautahi Rocks – by Ruth Oy Har Agnew directed by Ruth Agnew, St Margaret’s College
• Elephant Talk - devised piece by group, director Emily McRae, Mount Aspiring College
• Sora Saunders - Falling by Angie Farrow, directed by Linda Voice, Wairarapa Theatre Group

Creativity and Design Award
Certificate acknowledging total visual concept and execution.

• Te Kokoti devised by group, directed by Shari Taylor-Kawana & Kiri Riwai-Couch, TAPA Academy
• Child's Play written and directed by TJ Ramsey, Dramatix, South Canterbury

He Pito Aronui Award – The Seeding of Creative Potential
Acknowledges new writing and performance, which must be created by and contain Māori or Pasifika content. Entries in this category, are also eligible for all other awards.

• Our Stories by Kylie Piper, Eden Piper, Richard Amoroa and Hope Pulham, directed by Kylie Piper, Dargaville Little Theatre

ShowCase - Golden Koru Plaque and certificate of Achievement for Cast & Crew

• Our Stories by Kylie Piper, Eden Piper, Richard Amoroa and Hope Pulham, directed by Kylie Piper, Dargaville Little Theatre
• Falling by Angie Farrow directed by Linda Voice, Wairarapa Theatre Group
• Service, Please by C A Lines directed by Cameron Lines, Dramatix South Canterbury
• Child's Play written and directed by TJ Ramsey, Dramatix South Canterbury
• The Man in the Glass devised piece by the students, New Plymouth Boys HS

Production of a New Zealand Play
Denise Walsh Certificate - Written by a New Zealand playwright, regardless of setting or content.

• Life is worth it written and directed by Mandy Thomas, Centre Stage Taupo

Playmarket Award: New work from Aotearoa New Zealand.
Pounamu donated by Nanette Wright, in recognition of Olga E Harding. The work must be entered in TheatreFest, with the production being its premiere. Chosen separately by the TheatreFest Script Assessor. Entries sponsored by Playmarket, with a prize of $250.

• “Life is worth it” written by Mandy Thomas,