THIS year was a triumph for theatre in Parkes, judging by the release of the Canberra Area Theatre (CAT) Awards nominations.
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Three productions from the Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society earned 10 nominations across nine categories and a commendation.
Shrek the Musical Jr secured seven nominations, including individual nominations, while Les Miserables had two nominations and one for Anne of Green Gables.
Shrek the Musical Jr has been nominated for best production of a school or youth musical as well as its costumes in the best costumes category, with both its director and musical director, Lyn Townsend and Neil Westcott (with vocal coaches Gail Smith and Rachael Westcott) nominated for individual awards.
Youth actress Libby Pepper, who played the Dragon, and youth actor Tom Buesnell, Donkey, in the same production have been nominated for best actress/actor awards.
Meanwhile two others have been nominated for a Patricia Kelson Encouragement Award.
The inclusive productions of Shrek the Musical Jr and Les Miserables have also earned the Society a commendation from the CAT Awards judges for its special contribution to theatre and the community over the last year.
It's been recognised for making productions accessible to people with special needs, through presenting a special autism-friendly performance (Shrek the Musical Jr) and providing closed captioning for the hearing-impaired (Les Miserables).
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Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society members are thrilled with this year's nominations and were quick to congratulate those named on social media when the nominations were announced on Sunday.
The Society also took a moment to congratulate all those who had roles in its productions this year.
"CAT awards are very subjective and by no means determines the strength of the characters they play," the social media post read.
"Our audiences do that, and attendance at all our shows this year certainly proved they are all winners."
The nominees
- Best costumes for a school or youth production - Lyn Townsend and the costume team, Shrek the Musical Jr
- Patricia Kelson Encouragement Award - Imogen Steele as Fiona, Shrek the Musical Jr
- Patricia Kelson Encouragement Award - Keola Aho as Enjolras, Les Miserables
- Best youth actress in a featured role in a musical - Libby Pepper as The Dragon, Shrek the Musical Jr
- Best youth actor in a leading role in a musical - Tom Buesnell as Donkey, Shrek the Musical Jr
- Best youth actress in a leading role in a musical - Krystle-Lee McMurray as Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables
- Best actress in a leading role in a musical - Kimberly Ryan as Eponine, Les Miserables
- Best musical direction for a school or youth production - Neil Westcott with vocal coaches Gail Smith and Rachael Westcott, Shrek the Musical Jr
- Best direction of a school or youth musical - Lyn Townsend, Shrek the Musical Jr
- Best production of a school or youth musical - Shrek the Musical Jr
The CAT Awards also commended the Cowra Music and Dramatic Society in its list of 10 commendations.
Cowra was recognised for donating proceeds from the production of Agatha Crusty and the Village Hall Murders to maintain the 103-year-old Billimari Hall, located between Cowra and Canowindra.
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