Maitland is well represented among this year's City of Newcastle Drama Awards (CONDAs) nominees, with 12 nominations for the repertory theatre and one for the musical society.
The CONDAs is Australia's longest continually running theatre awards program, and this year has set a record with 186 nominations for the 2023 season, the most in its history.
There are 65 theatrical productions in the running, and awards span across 27 categories.
Maitland Repertory Theatre has five productions among its 12 nominations; Dorothy in Wonderland, All My Sons, Rumours, On Golden Pond and Lord of the Flies.
Theatre secretary Ian Robinson and vice president Anne Robinson said the nominations are proof the organisation is doing something right.
"It's great that Maitland Repertory Theatre and its members are being recognised by our peers," they said.
"The Hunter Valley theatre community is a hive of activity and we're very pleased to be a part of it."
They said every production requires a lot of hard work and dedication.
"Each play that we perform requires a coordinated effort by between 12 and 20 volunteer members directly involved in preparing for the show for about three months," they said.
"In addition other volunteers help out during the performances with front of house and catering.
"We could not survive without our dedicated team of willing helpers."
Other Maitland productions have been nominated too, with Maitland Musical Society's Little Women receiving one, and the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, which has students from Maitland, receiving seven for their ASPIRE production The Pirate Code.
In other news:
Maitland Repertory Theatre's nominations
Excellence in Costume Design
- Anne Robinson, Kaysia Dowie & Kadisha Patterson, Dorothy in Wonderland, Maitland Repertory Theatre
Excellence in Set and Props Design
- Pip Thoroughgood, All My Sons, Maitland Repertory Theatre
- Brett Harston, Rumours, Maitland Repertory Theatre
Excellence in Sound Design
- Brett Harston & Scott Rankin, Rumours, Maitland Repertory Theatre
Excellence by a Performer 18 and Under in a Supporting Role
- Lachlan Drewe, On Golden Pond, Maitland Repertory Theatre
Best Ensemble - Play
- All My Sons, Maitland Repertory Theatre
- Lord of the Flies, Maitland Repertory Theatre
Excellence by a Performer in a Supporting Role - Play
- Aimee Cavanagh, All My Sons, Maitland Repertory Theatre
- Celia Kelly, Rumours, Maitland Repertory Theatre
Excellence by a Performer in a Leading Role - Play
- Carl Caulfield, All My Sons, Maitland Repertory Theatre
Excellence by a Director - Play
- Pip Thoroughgood, All My Sons, Maitland Repertory Theatre
Best Dramatic Production
- All My Sons, Maitland Repertory Theatre
Maitland Musical Society
Excellence by a Performer in a Leading Role - Musical
- Rachel Davies, Little Women, Maitland Musical Society
There are also a number of Maitland residents who have been nominated for their work with other organisations.
Winners of the CONDA awards will be announced at a ceremony on the evening of Saturday, December 9 at Newcastle City Hall. Anyone interested in the local theatre industry is invited to purchase tickets through the Civic Theatre.
A full list of the 2023 CONDA Nominees can be found here.
Chloe Coleman
Chloe Coleman is a journalist covering news in the Lower Hunter. Contact her on chloe.coleman@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
Chloe Coleman is a journalist covering news in the Lower Hunter. Contact her on chloe.coleman@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
