CAT AWARDS 2024 NOMINATIONS
For rules and definitions covering the scope of the awards and eligibility for inclusion in particular categories, see:
https://cat-awards.com.au/rules-a-definitions/
Download a Word version of the nominations
BEST SET DESIGN FOR A PLAY
Jess Heffer and Zac Bridgman
Fully Committed, Mockingbird Theatre, Canberra
John Michael Narres
Picnic At Hanging Rock, Campbelltown Theatre Group
Jon Benn
The Importance of Being Earnest, Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay
Josh Wiseman
Bloody Murder, Canberra Repertory Society
Kirsten Jowsey
The Cripple of Inishmaan, Campbelltown Theatre Group
Simon Hughes and Ghost Light Productions
The Crucible, Canberra Grammar School
BEST SET DESIGN FOR A MUSICAL, VARIETY OR DANCE PRODUCTION
Amy Larrson
Jesus Christ Superstar
AND
Annie, So Popera Productions, Wollongong
David Cascarino
Singin’ in the Rain, Rehearsal Room, Campbelltown
Janet Cunningham and Adam Loughlin
Mamma Mia!, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts
Kirsty, Lola and Belle Lochrin
The Wizard Of Oz Jr, JAM Junior Albatross MTC, Nowra
Oli Gait and Julie Fraser
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Albatross Musical Theatre Company, Nowra
Russell Tanswell and Brian Townsend
Annie, Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society
BEST COSTUME DESIGN FOR A PLAY
Celine Oudin
8 Women, Mockingbird Theatre, Canberra
Jo Johnston
Picnic At Hanging Rock, Campbelltown Theatre Group
Samantha Haslam and Deborah Franco
The Importance of Being Earnest, Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay
Suzan Cooper
Bloody Murder, Canberra Repertory Society
Ted Ayres
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Melting Pot Theatre, Bundanoon
BEST COSTUME DESIGN FOR A MUSICAL OR VARIETY SHOW
Angela Cascarino and Samantha Taylor
Singin’ in the Rain, Rehearsal Room, Campbelltown
Jess Zdanowicz
Nice Work If You Can Get It, Queanbeyan Players
Katrina Wimhurst, Nina Schuurman
The Sound of Music, Albury Wodonga Theatre Company
Lola Lochrin, Kristy Lochrin, Belle Lochrin
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Albatross Musical Theatre Company, Nowra
Lyn Townsend, Elisa Massari and Tracey Ross
Annie, Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society
Neha Kumar and Brittany (Bee) Pike
American Psycho the Musical, Rising Arts Productions, Camden
Sammy Marceddo
American Idiot, Queanbeyan Players
BEST COSTUME DESIGN FOR A SCHOOL OR YOUTH PRODUCTION
Ange Fewtrell
Jack and the Beanstalk – the Musical, Child Players ACT, Canberra
Ange Fewtrell, Patrick Byrnes and Sandra d’Argeavel
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Child Players ACT, Canberra
Julia Armstrong and Dee Skinner
The Wizard Of Oz Jr, JAM Junior Albatross MTC, Nowra
Lexy Meyerson and Laura Horne
Matilda the Musical, Oxley College, Bowral
Lynda Alchin, Karen Bollard and the costume team
Solid Gold
AND
Willy Wonka and the Themed Lands, “Legs” Dance, Canberra
Rheannan Vergano, Michaela Vergano, Mercedes Ellis
Madagascar Jr, Pied Piper Productions, Canberra
Sally Wilson, Jodi Banks and Jayde Bremner
Newsies Jr, BYTESized Productions, Albury Wodonga
Saskia Belansky, Sarah Clark, Melanie Douglas and Barbara Wilson
Strictly Ballroom, The Illawarra Grammar School, Mangerton
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
Alisha Carpenter
Picnic At Hanging Rock, Campbelltown Theatre Group
Chris Snape
Jesus Christ Superstar, So Popera Productions, Wollongong
Glenn Mancer and Rhys Llewellyn
Newsies Jr, BYTESized Productions, Albury Wodonga
Justin Pham
The Cripple of Inishmaan, Campbelltown Theatre Group
Matt MacKenzie
The Wizard Of Oz Jr, JAM Junior Albatross MTC, Nowra
Nathan Sciberras
Bloody Murder, Canberra Repertory Society
TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
John Michael Narres
Soundscape, Picnic At Hanging Rock, Campbelltown Theatre Group
Adam Watson
Rain special effects, Singin’ in the Rain, Rehearsal Room, Campbelltown
Alex Rogers, Sarea Coates, Jessica Coates, Tam Connor, Judy Gould and Vicki Young
Design and construction of the plant, Little Shop of Horrors, Dramatic Productions, Canberra
Dog wrangling
Legally Blonde, Albury Wodonga Theatre Company
Ismail Yuguranlar
Ronald Reagan lip-synching on the TV set, Little Shop of Horrors, Dramatic Productions, Canberra
James McPherson
Sound design, Next to Normal, Queanbeyan Players, Queanbeyan
Trent Houssenloge, Chris Curran, Bonnie Neate, Suzy Piani and Alex Clifford
Video productions, animations, lighting and sound design, Wired, The Training Ground, Canberra
JOHN THOMSON THEATRE MAGIC
Appearance of girls from bathtub
Nice Work If You Can Get It, Queanbeyan Players
Appearance of the illuminated ladder
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Albatross Musical Theatre Company, Nowra
Aunty Mary’s wheelchair entrance
Two Weddings and a Nervous Breakdown, Molong Players
Breaking of the fourth wall
Bloody Murder, Canberra Repertory Society
Death of Mushnik with blood splatter
Little Shop of Horrors, Dramatic Productions, Canberra
Ghostly atmosphere created in the Pill Factory
The Haunting, Melting Pot Theatre, Bundanoon
Storm at the end of Act 1
Away, Canberra Repertory Society
The vomiting
God of Carnage, Griffith & Regional Association for the Performing Arts (GRAPA)
BEST ORIGINAL WORK
Craig Palmer
Xander Starbuck – Space Cowboy, See Me Hear Me Theatre, Tumut
Glenn Gore-Phillips (Posthumous award)
Original music, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Canberra Repertory Society
Jack Spahr
Script for A Report and Then, Moruya Red Door Theatre
Lusi Austin
Script and music, Intertwined, Lemon Tea Theatre, Cowra
Molong Players
Original script, Two Weddings and a Nervous Breakdown, Molong Players
Ryley Gillen
Original music, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, The Ballet Team, Wollongong
Ted Ayers, Dean Carey, Alison Ayers
Concept, original monologues and adaptations of classical works, The Haunting, Melting Pot Theatre, Bundanoon
BEST ORIGINAL WORK FOR A SCHOOL OR YOUTH PRODUCTION
BJ Anyos, Georgia Pike-Rowney and Katie Lee Kavanagh
Script and original music, Jack and the Beanstalk – the Musical, Child Players ACT, Canberra
Joe Woodward
Script, Crocodile, Daramalan Theatre Company, Canberra
The cast
Heart, Daramalan Theatre Company, Canberra
BEST ENSEMBLE IN A PLAY
The cast: Arran McKenna, Stuart Roberts. Glen Brighenti, Antonia Kitzel, Steph Roberts, Holly Ross
Bloody Murder, Canberra Repertory Society
The cast: Charli Derig, Nikita Elliott, Valeria Hinestroza, Nicole Gorrie and Frances Holt
Picnic At Hanging Rock, Campbelltown Theatre Group
The cast: Romina Tappi, David Baxter, Jenny Ellis and James Walsh
God of Carnage, Griffith & Regional Association for the Performing Arts (GRAPA)
The schoolchildren
Lord of the Flies, Canberra Repertory Society, Canberra
BEST ENSEMBLE IN A MUSICAL, DANCE OR VARIETY PRODUCTION
Lachlan O’Dea, Alex Morgan. Jason Turball, Jaiden Tomas and Tom Ragen
Caiaphas, Annas and the Priests, Jesus Christ Superstar, So Popera Productions, Wollongong
Paul Fraser, Dianne McKeever, Meryl Dalton and Philip Merriman
The Grandparents, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Albatross Musical Theatre Company, Nowra
The cast
American Psycho the Musical, Rising Arts Productions, Camden
The chorus
Nice Work If You Can Get It, Queanbeyan Players
The ensemble cast
American Idiot, Queanbeyan Players
The orphans
Annie, So Popera Productions, Wollongong
The Von Trapp children
The Sound of Music, Albury Wodonga Theatre Company
BEST ENSEMBLE IN A SCHOOL OR YOUTH PRODUCTION
Orlando Reader, Banjo Campbell and Liam Halloran
As Sam Carmichael, Bill Austin and Harry Bright, Mamma Mia!, Oxley College, Bowral
The backup singers
Southern Stars the Arena Spectacular: Magnifica, NSW Department of Education, Albion Park
The Newsboys
Newsies Jr, BYTESized Productions, Albury Wodonga
The Penguins
Madagascar Jr, Pied Piper Productions, Canberra
The Rude Mechanicals
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oxley College, Bowral
The Yellow Brick Road Builders
The Wizard Of Oz Jr, JAM Junior Albatross MTC, Nowra
PATRICIA KELSON ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
Ashleigh Maynard
As Skylar, Bring It On, Canberra Philharmonic Society
Becky Batt
As Bird Woman/Miss Andrews, Mary Poppins, Melba Copland Secondary College, Canberra
Benjamin Lau
Lead guitar in the band, Mamma Mia!, Scots All Saints College, Bathurst
Joshua James
As Ralph, Lord of the Flies, Canberra Repertory Society
Luke McPherson
As The Dwarf, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Child Players ACT, Canberra
Serena Ruscica
As Annie, Annie, So Popera Productions, Wollongong
BEST YOUTH ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY
Banjo Campbell
As Father in The Book of Everything, Oxley College, Bowral
Jarvis Christie
As Deputy Governor Danforth in The Crucible, Canberra Grammar School, Canberra
Peter Kearney
As Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oxley College, Bowral
Tom Farinazzo
As Cedric in Puffs (Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic), Narrabundah College, Canberra
BEST YOUTH ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Julian Garcia Cala
As Vince Fontaine in Grease, Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga
Kristian Downie
As Barry Fife in Strictly Ballroom, The Illawarra Grammar School, Mangerton
Leon Do
As JJ Silvers in Strictly Ballroom, The Illawarra Grammar School, Mangerton
Lincoln Newell
As King Julian in Madagascar Jr, Pied Piper Productions, Canberra
Owen Hooper
As Harry in Mamma Mia!, Scots All Saints College, Bathurst
Will Sargeant
As Bill in Mamma Mia!, Scots All Saints College, Bathurst
BEST YOUTH ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY
Aleksis Andreitchenko
As Leanne in Puffs (Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic), Narrabundah College, Canberra
Beatrize Lim
As Harry Potter in Puffs (Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic), Narrabundah College, Canberra
Gloria Waters
As Mother in The Book of Everything, Oxley College, Bowral
Olivia Keddie
As Mary Warren in The Crucible, Canberra Grammar School, Canberra
Veronica Baroulina
As Sally Perks in Puffs (Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic), Narrabundah College, Canberra
BEST YOUTH ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Char Wall
As Abuela in Strictly Ballroom, The Illawarra Grammar School, Mangerton
Ella Saxon
As Betty Rizzo in Grease, Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga
Emily Saeki
As Liesl in The Sound of Music, Wagga Wagga School of Arts Inc SOACT
Imogen Baggoley
As Tanya in Mamma Mia!, St Clare’s College, Canberra
Kristin Mitchell
As Rosie in Mamma Mia!, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts, Wollongong
Mia George
As Tomika Spencer-Williams in School of Rock, St Edmund’s College, Canberra
Rebecca Dawson
As Pugsley Addams in The Addams Family, St Mary Star of the Sea College, Wollongong
Savannah Clarke
As Leisl Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Albury Wodonga Theatre Company, Albury
Zoe Ray
As Glinda in The Wizard Of Oz Jr, JAM Junior Albatross MTC, Nowra
BEST YOUTH ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A PLAY
Baden Willmott
As Thomas in Stories in the Dark, Melba Copland Secondary College, Canberra
Eliot Connell-Whitty
As Oliver in Puffs (Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic), Narrabundah College, Canberra
Harrison Kirsch
As Thomas Klopper in The Book of Everything, Oxley College, Bowral
Nicholas Doan
As Narrator in Puffs (Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic), Narrabundah College, Canberra
Shafiq Herriman
As Wayne in Puffs (Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic), Narrabundah College, Canberra
BEST YOUTH ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A PLAY
Eloise Kimberley
As Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible, Canberra Grammar School, Canberra
Emma Piva
As Jo March in Little Women, Canberra Girls Grammar School, Canberra
Olivia Quilty
As Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oxley College, Bowral
Phoebe Silberman
As Megan in Puffs (Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic), Narrabundah College, Canberra
Sophia Matz
As Abigail Williams in The Crucible, Canberra Grammar School, Canberra
Sophie Christensen
As Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oxley College, Bowral
BEST YOUTH ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Harry Meyerson
As Agatha Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical, Oxley College, Bowral
James Tebbutt
As Scarecrow in The Wizard Of Oz Jr, JAM Junior Albatross MTC, Nowra
Lachlan Nicholls
As Dewey Finn in School of Rock, St Edmund’s College, Canberra
Max Schneider
As Danny Zuko in Grease, Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga
Rylee Williams
As Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Albatross Musical Theatre Company, Nowra
Sam Thompson
As Fred in Kiss Me, Kate, Lake Ginninderra College, Canberra
BEST YOUTH ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Ava Ritchie
As Donna in Mamma Mia!, Oxley College, Bowral
Charlotte Hunt
As Sophie in Mamma Mia!, St Clare’s College, Canberra
Chloe Stevenson
As Donna in Mamma Mia!, St Clare’s College, Canberra
Emily Saeki
As Sandy Dumbrowski in Grease, Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga
Jahzara McCann
As Gomez Addams in The Addams Family, St Mary Star of the Sea College, Wollongong
Lexi Herden
As Annie in Annie, Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society, Parkes
Madison Isaac
As Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts, Wollongong
Olivia Brabham
As Donna in Mamma Mia!, Scots All Saints College, Bathurst
Serena Ruscica
As Annie in Annie, So Popera Productions, Wollongong
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A MONOLOGUE OR ONE-ACT PLAY
Anthony Mayne
Dave in ‘Strip Poker’, A Hidden Hand, Moruya Red Door Theatre
Blayke Thomas
Max in ‘Canine Connection’, Ten X 10 Playfest, Wagga Wagga School of Arts Inc SOACT
Bruce Hardie
Gordon’s monologue in Act 2, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Canberra Repertory Society
Bryce Owen-Roberts
Jim in ‘Moments’, A Hidden Hand, Moruya Red Door Theatre
Hannah Chi
The Musician in ‘The Sandbox’, Festival of Performance, Daramalan Theatre Company, Canberra
Millie Watson
Mrs Martin in ‘The Bald Prima Donna’, Festivaal of Performance, Daramalan Theatre Company, Canberra
Nichola Creighton
Victoria in ‘Strip Poker’, A Hidden Hand, Moruya Red Door Theatre
BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR ENSEMBLE
ADF Team
‘Parlez-vous Francais’, Willy Wonka and the Themed Lands, “Legs” Dance, Canberra
Charlie Thomson
As Leo, Wired, The Training Ground,
Emily McCoy
As Tess, Wired, The Training Ground,
Jemima Paul
As Greta, Wired, The Training Ground,
Katy-Hinch-Parr
In ‘Beat It’, Solid Gold, “Legs” Dance, Canberra
Larina Bagic
As The Watcher, Wired, The Training Ground,
Sian Gray
As Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka and the Themed Lands, “Legs” Dance, Canberra
BEST VARIETY PERFORMANCE BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR ENSEMBLE
Elena Lozberis
in ‘Me and the Sky’ in The Quick Brown Fox …, Karabar High School, Queanbeyan
Jayda Ciocci
in ‘Are You Gonna go My Way?’ and others in Southern Stars the Arena Spectacular: Magnifica, NSW Department of Education, Wollongong
Karabar High School
in ‘Cars’ in Queanbeyan Schools Arts Festival: ICONIC, Queanbeyan Schools Arts Festival
Max Fernandez
in ‘Where I Want To Be’ in Southern Stars the Arena Spectacular: Magnifica, NSW Department of Education, Wollongong
Phoebe Cavanough
in ‘Both Sides Now’ and others in Southern Stars the Arena Spectacular: Magnifica, NSW Department of Education, Wollongong
BEST ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY
Anthony Mayne
Almost, Maine, Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay
Jim Adamik
As Roy and the MC in Away, Canberra Repertory Society
Jimmy Roe
Almost, Maine, Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay
John Michael Narres
As Johnnypateenmike in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Campbelltown Theatre Group
Sam Aspinall
Almost, Maine, Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay
Trevor Burdon
As Babbybobby Bennett in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Campbelltown Theatre Group
BEST ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Anthony Swadling
As Cookie in Nice Work If You Can Get It, Queanbeyan Players
Brad Roe
As Cosmo Brown in Singin’ in the Rain, Rehearsal Room, Campbelltown
Bradley McDowell
As Orin Scrivello and others in Little Shop of Horrors, Dramatic Productions, Canberra
Chae Rogan
As King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar, So Popera Productions, Wollongong
Dan Kenyon
As Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar, So Popera Productions, Wollongong
Joel Bartholomaeus
As Max Dettwieller in The Sound of Music, Albury Wodonga Theatre Company
Josif Jovanovski
As Sam in Mamma Mia!, Tall & Short Theatre Co, Sutherland
BEST ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A PLAY
Candy Burgess
As Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay
Erin Blond
As Meg in Away, Canberra Repertory Society
Felicity Burke
As Eileen Osbourne in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Campbelltown Theatre Group
Jane Ahlquist
As Harriet in The Actress, Canberra Repertory Society
Nicki James
As Kate Osbourne in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Campbelltown Theatre Group
Sally Rynveld
As Katherine in The Actress, Canberra Repertory Society
BEST ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Alanna Carter
As Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain, Rehearsal Room, Campbelltown
Anna Tully
As Eileen Evergreen in Nice Work If You Can Get It, Queanbeyan Players
Hannah Gleeson
As Rosie in Mamma Mia!, Tall & Short Theatre Co, Sutherland
Katie Lis
As Bridget in Bring It On, Canberra Philharmonic Society
Kimberly Ryan
As Lily St Regis in Annie, Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society
Merryn Thorp
As Paulette in Legally Blonde, Albury Wodonga Theatre Company
Tanya Boyle
As Miss Hannigan in Annie, So Popera Productions, Wollongong
Tenneil Withers
As Mrs Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Albatross Musical Theatre Company, Nowra
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A PLAY
Callum Doherty
As Tom in Away, Canberra Repertory Society
AND
As Sam and everyone else in Fully Committed, Mockingbird Theatre, Canberra
Jeremy Kemp
As Jack Worthing in The Importance of Being Earnest, Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay
Jerikye Williams
As Aboriginal Man in Intertwined, Lemon Tea Theatre, Cowra
Joshua Paterson
As Billy Claven in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Campbelltown Theatre Group
Keelan Judge
As Billy Claven in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Campbelltown Theatre Group
Matt Burgess
As Algernon Moncrieff in The Importance of Being Earnest, Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Alex Unikowski
As Seymour Krelborn in Little Shop of Horrors, Dramatic Productions, Canberra
Dave Smith
As Dan Goodman in Next to Normal, Queanbeyan Players
Iain Wright
As Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Wagga Wagga School of Arts Inc SOACT
Josif Jovanovski
As Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Albatross Musical Theatre Company, Nowra
Kai Rule
As Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, So Popera Productions, Wollongong
Luke Ferdinands
As Jimmy Winter in Nice Work If You Can Get It, Queanbeyan Players
Trevor Vaughn
As Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Albury Wodonga Theatre Company
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A PLAY
Andrea Close
As Coral in Away, Canberra Repertory Society
Jen Aspinall
As Cecily Cardew in The Importance of Being Earnest, Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay
Jess Waterhouse
As Jean in Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Canberra Repertory Society
Liz St Clair Long
As Lydia in The Actress, Canberra Repertory Society
Sam Haslam
As Gwendolen Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest, Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Amy Zuber
As Maria Rainer in The Sound of Music, Albury Wodonga Theatre Compan
Hannah Rumbachs
As Maria Rainer in The Sound of Music, Wagga Wagga School of Arts Inc SOACT
Kristal Carlile
As Kathy Seldon in Singin’ in the Rain, Rehearsal Room, Campbelltown
Nella Magnante
As Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!, Tall & Short Theatre Co, Sutherland
Sarah Copley
As Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Dramatic Productions, Canberra
Sarah Hull
As Diana Goodman in Next to Normal, Queanbeyan Players
Sienna Curnow
As Billie Bendix in Nice Work If You Can Get It, Queanbeyan Players
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Bonnie Neate and Suzy Piani
Wired, The Training Ground, Canberra
Brendan Cascarino
Singin’ in the Rain, Rehearsal Room, Campbelltown
Catrina Ralph
Jesus Christ Superstar, So Popera Productions, Wollongong
Jaila Ellem and Isabella Gallant
Mamma Mia!, Tall & Short Theatre Co, Sutherland
Kelly Buggs
Mamma Mia!, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts, Wollongong
Laura Pearce, Charlotte Gearside and Annaleisha Cologna
Mamma Mia!, St Clare’s College, Canberra
BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION FOR A SCHOOL OR YOUTH PRODUCTION
Brody Toombs
Strictly Ballroom, The Illawarra Grammar School, Mangerton
Charlotte Gearside and Zoe Siviour
Mamma Mia!, St Clare’s College, Canberra
David Saxon and Rebecca Saxon
Grease, Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga
Dominic Lindsay and Andrew Young
Mamma Mia!, Oxley College, Bowral
Georgia Pike-Rowney
Jack and the Beanstalk – the Musical, Child Players ACT, Canberra
Michael Mear
Mamma Mia!, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts, Wollongong
Paul Fraser, Marie De La Torre and Karen Taylor
The Wizard Of Oz Jr, JAM Junior Albatross MTC, Nowra
BEST DIRECTION OF A SCHOOL OR YOUTH MUSICAL
Abbey Rumbachs and Jhi Rayner
Grease, Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga
Charlotte Gearside and Bec Lee
Mamma Mia!, St Clare’s College, Canberra
Helen McLean
Strictly Ballroom, The Illawarra Grammar School, Mangerton
Janet Cunningham
Mamma Mia!, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts, Wollongong
Julia Armstrong
The Wizard Of Oz Jr, JAM Junior Albatross MTC, Nowra
Nina Stevenson
Madagascar Jr, Pied Piper Productions, Canberra
Rosanna O’Dea
The Addams Family, St Mary Star of the Sea College, Wollongong
Shona Apostolatos
Matilda the Musical, Oxley College, Bowral
BEST DIRECTION OF A SCHOOL OR YOUTH PLAY
Katrine Pascoe
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oxley College, Bowral
Phil Cunich
The Book of Everything, Oxley College, Bowral
Rachel Pengilly
Puffs (Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic), Narrabundah College, Canberra
BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION
Brett Spokes
Strictly Ballroom, Revolution Theatre, Albury
Brigid Cummings
Nice Work If You Can Get It, Queanbeyan Players
Jacqui Hitchcock and Nicholle McNiece
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Albatross Musical Theatre Company, Nowra
Jen Hinton
Next to Normal, Queanbeyan Players
Jen Hinton and Brigid Cummins
American Idiot, Queanbeyan Players
Katja Jorgensen and Merryn Thorp
The Sound of Music, Albury Wodonga Theatre Company
Peter Copeland
Southern Stars the Arena Spectacular: Magnifica, NSW Department of Education, Wollongong
BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY
Aarne Neeme
The Actress, Canberra Repertory Societ
Bernie Maxwell
God of Carnage, Griffith & Regional Association for the Performing Arts (GRAPA)
Deborah Franco
The Importance of Being Earnest, Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay
Josh Wiseman
Bloody Murder, Canberra Repertory Society
Kirsten Jowsey
The Cripple of Inishmaan, Campbelltown Theatre Group
Zac Bridgman
Fully Committed, Mockingbird Theatre, Canberra
BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL OR VARIETY SHOW
Benjamin May
Mamma Mia!, Tall & Short Theatre Co, Sutherland
Brendan Cascarino
Singin’ in the Rain, Rehearsal Room, Campbelltown
Dave Smith
Nice Work If You Can Get It, Queanbeyan Player
Lyn Townsend
Annie, Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society
Ruth Ellevsen
Southern Stars the Arena Spectacular: Magnifica, NSW Department of Education, Wollongong
Tylah Heany
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Albatross Musical Theatre Company, Nowra
BEST DANCE PRODUCTION
Solid Gold
“Legs” Dance, Canberra
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
The Ballet Team, Wollongong
Willy Wonka and the Themed Lands
“Legs” Dance, Canberra
Wired
The Training Ground, Canberra
BEST PRODUCTION OF A SCHOOL OR YOUTH MUSICAL
Grease
Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga
Mamma Mia!
Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts, Wollongong
Mamma Mia!
St Clare’s College, Canberra
School of Rock
St Edmund’s College, Canberra
Strictly Ballroom
The Illawarra Grammar School, Mangerton
The Addams Family
St Mary Star of the Sea College, Wollongong
The Wizard Of Oz Jr
JAM Junior Albatross MTC
BEST PRODUCTION OF A SCHOOL OR YOUTH PLAY
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Oxley College, Bowral
Puffs (Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic)
Narrabundah College, Canberra
The Book of Everything
Oxley College, Bowral
The Bald Prima Donna and The Sandbox, in the Festival of Performance,
Daramalan Theatre Company, Canberra
BEST PRODUCTION OF A VARIETY SHOW
Queanbeyan Schools Arts Festival: ICONIC
Queanbeyan Schools Arts Festival
Southern Stars the Arena Spectacular: Magnifica
NSW Department of Education, Wollongong
The Quick Brown Fox …
Karabar High School, Queanbeyan
BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
Bloody Murder
Canberra Repertory Society
Fully Committed
Mockingbird Theatre, Canberra
God of Carnage
Griffith & Regional Association for the Performing Arts (GRAPA)
The Actress
Canberra Repertory Society
The Cripple of Inishmaan
Campbelltown Theatre Group
The Importance of Being Earnest
Bay Theatre Players, Batemans Bay
BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
Annie
Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Albatross Musical Theatre Company, Nowra
Little Shop of Horrors
Dramatic Productions, Canberra
Next to Normal
Queanbeyan Players
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Queanbeyan Players
Singin’ in the Rain
Rehearsal Room, Campbelltown
The Sound of Music
Albury Wodonga Theatre Company
CAT AWARDS COMMENDATIONS
NOTE: This is a non-award category.
The CAT Awards commends the following companies and individuals, and acknowledges the special contribution they have made over the last year to theatre and to the community.
Anna Butler
For calm and efficient stage managing 3000+ schoolchildren, Southern Stars the Arena Spectacular: Magnifica, NSW Department of Education
Neville Pye
For consistently high-quality sound design for multiple shows for many years, highlighted by the sound design for six 2024 Canberra Repertory Society productions
Dave Tricks
For his dedication to the role of mic technician and for his contribution to many theatre companies in performing that duty over many years
Oxley College, Bowral
For their support to performing arts, presenting 4 major productions in 2024 giving students of all ages an opportunity to participate in theatre
See Me Hear Me Theatre, Tumut
For inclusivity through captioning of the radio play Xander Starbuck – Space Cowboy
The Dragon Mothers, including: Sarea Nicholas, Jessica Coates, Karen Malam, Tam Connor, Judy Gould, Mel McDonald and Vicki Young
For set, costumes and puppetry work for many Canberra theatre companies