Theatre practitioners from across the state have been recognised at this year’s Sydney Theatre Awards held at the Seymour Centre on 20 January. Hosted by Marney McQueen (Acting, 2003), the ceremony celebrated excellence across both mainstage and independent theatre productions, with alumni securing wins across multiple categories including directing, design, and performance. Congratulations to everyone nominated and the winning productions, including:
BEST MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION
August: Osage County
With John Howard (Acting, 1978) and Greg Stone (Acting, 1983)
Set Designer, Bob Cousins, NIDA’s Course Leader for Design for Performance
Costume Designer, Ella Butler (Design for Performance, 2017)
Lighting Designer, Morgan Moroney (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2021)
Assistant Director, Guy Simon (Acting, 2010)
Assistant Stage Manager, Sybilla Wajon (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2021)
Vocal Coach, Laura Farrell (Voice, 2020)
BEST INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION
The Inheritance
With John Adams (Acting, 1989) Ryan Panizza (Acting, 2020), Tom Rodgers (Musical Theatre, 2019), Quinton Rofail Rich (Production and Technical Services, 2018 & Stage and Screen Performance, 2019), Matthew McDonald (Acting, 2019) and Jack Richardson (Playwriting, 2011 & Acting, 2018)
Director, Shane Anthony (Directing, 2006)
Set Designer, Kate Beere (Design, 2018 & Masters of Design, 2020)
Lighting Designer, Alex Berlage (Production, 2013 & Masters of Directing, 2017)
Sound Designer, Daniel Herten (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2021)
Dialect Coach, Linda Nicholls-Gidley (Voice Studies, 1998)
BEST DIRECTION OF AN INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION
Shane Anthony (Directing, 2006) for The Inheritance
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN AN INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION
Lilian Alejandra Valverde (Acting, 2024) for Snowflake
BEST STAGE DESIGN OF A MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION
Renée Mulder (Design, 2008) for Stolen
BEST STAGE DESIGN OF AN INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION
Kate Beere (Design, 2018 & Master of Design, 2020) for Arlington
BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION
Renée Mulder (Design, 2008) for Stolen
BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF AN INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION
Dann Barber (Design, 2014) for Yentl
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION
Aron Murray (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2018 & Master of Design, 2020) for Arlington
BEST ENSEMBLE
The Inheritance (See above)
BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
Zombie! The Musical
Director Darren Yap (Directing, 1997)
Set Designer Nick Fry (Design, 2016 & Master of Design, 2018)
Costume Designer Esther Zhong (Costume, 2022)
Lighting & Projection Designer Verity Hampson (Technical Production, 2005)
Dramaturg Brittanie Shipway (Musical Theatre, 2016)
Assistant Stage Manager Jessie Byrne (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2019)
BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
Darren Yap (Directing, 1997) for Zombie! The Musical
BEST PRODUCTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Saplings
With third-year Acting student, Nyasha Ogden
Co-Set & Costume Designer, Angela Doherty (Design, 2019)
Co-Set & Costume Designer, Morgan Moroney (Technical Theatre & Stage Management, 2021)
Producer, Hayden Tonazzi (Directing, 2020)
HONOUR ROLL
The late Keith Robinson (Acting, 1981)
The highly anticipated Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Jim Sharman (Production, 1965).
Second-year Acting student Jaga Yap received the Actors Benevolent Fund Scholarship which was awarded at the ceremony.
*Header image: Cast image from The Inheritance at Seymour Centre. Photo by Phil Erbacher.