top of page
SBSS-250.jpg

Awards & Recognition

ACT-CO Festivals

ACT-CO is the Association of Community Theatres - Central Ontario. It is the not-for-profit umbrella organization for many theatre groups in the region. The region stretches from Oakville in the West, Bowmanville in the East, Muskoka in the North, and Lake Ontario in the South. Its focus is education by providing workshops in various aspects of theatre such as set design, producing, audition techniques, etc.

 

Prior to the pandemic, the most visible educational activity was the Festival. The Festival usually had 40 to 45 productions entered as a Musical, a Drama or a Comedy. Each production entered in the festival received an adjudication by a working theatre professional. The adjudicators attended one performance of each show in their category. Following the performance, they would address the general audience giving a high-level overview of the production and some of their observations and highlights. After, the adjudicator would have an in-depth dialogue with the members of the production and the company about the performance with pointers on ways to move their performances forward and continue producing top-notch theatre for both theirs and their audience's benefit.

 

The Festival culminated each year in April at the Annual THEA Awards Gala when the adjudicators were asked to select nominations and winners in a number of categories to recognize outstanding performances and achievements from the season. These awards, called THEAs, were presented at the Gala. Since the pandemic ACT-CO is revising how they conduct adjudications and their awards Gala, both of which will be rejuvenated for the 2024-25 season.

​

The following sections list the awards and nominations for The South Simcoe Theatre to the end of the 2019-2020 season.

FESTIVAL 2019/2020

2 Awards & 6 Nominations

  • Rosalind Naccarato awarded THEA for Best Performance by a Female in a Leading Role for a Comedy for her role as “Camille/Madeline” in When the Autumn Moon is Bright. (Found a number of comical mannerisms for her characters. Very much in her body and present.)

  • The South Simcoe Theatre awarded THEA for Adjudicator Awards #4 IN SEARCH OF VITAL THEATRE for a Comedy for When the Autumn Moon is Bright for going all-out to support undiscovered Canadian work and celebrating a local playwright.

  • Noah Hollinshead nominated for Adjudicator Awards #1 – FIRST TIMER’S AWARD (Director or Stage Manager) for a Comedy as Stage Manager for When the Autumn Moon is Bright.

  • Sandi LaPlante nominated for Best Costume Design for a Comedy for When the Autumn Moon is Bright.

  • Paul Webber nominated for Best Sound Design for a Comedy for When the Autumn Moon is Bright.

  • Keri Hughes nominated for Best Performance by a Male in a Leading Role for a Comedy for his role as “Poe/Burgerfrye/The Thing” in When the Autumn Moon is Bright.

  • Harry Lavigne nominated for Best Performance by a Male in a Leading Role for a Comedy for his role as “Boris/Ignatz” in When the Autumn Moon is Bright.

  • Mel Hinch nominated for Best Production for a Comedy for When the Autumn Moon is Bright.

FESTIVAL 2017/2018

2 Awards & 3 Nominations

  • Rosalind Naccarato awarded THEA for Best Stage Management for Musical for Fiddler on the Roof.

  • Barb Canning awarded THEA for the Musical Adjudicator’s Award #4 for Excellence in Scenic Painting for Fiddler on the Roof.

  • Vern Bignell nominated for Best Performance by a Male in a Leading Role in a Musical for his role as “Tevye” in Fiddler on the Roof.

  • Ann Johnston nominated for Best Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her role as “Yente” in Fiddler on the Roof.

  • Sean Derraugh nominated for the Musical Adjudicator’s Award #3 for Above and Beyond Exceptional Theatre Magic for Fiddler on the Roof.

FESTIVAL 2015/2016

1 Award & 1 Nomination

  • Kathy Simpson awarded THEA for Best Set Design for a Musical for Ned Durango Comes to Big Oak. (Citation: This set design, with excellence in both form and function, created a world which supported the characters and themes of the production.)

  • The South Simcoe Theatre nominated for the Musical Adjudicator’s Award #4 for Special Effects for Ned Durango Comes to Big Oak.

FESTIVAL 2013/2014

1 Award

  • Marlo Alcock awarded THEA for the Musical Adjudicator’s Award for Stand Out Performance for her role as “Carmen Bernstein” in Curtains.

FESTIVAL 2011/2012

2 Awards & 3 Nominations

  • Amélie Larente awarded THEA for Best Sound Design for a Drama for Fireworks.

  • Daniel Summerfield awarded THEA for the Drama Adjudicator’s Award for Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Leading Role for his role as “Jamie” in Fireworks.

  • Ann Johnston nominated for Best Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her role as “Vi Moore” in Footloose.

  • Mark Hoffman nominated for Best Lighting Design for a Drama for Fireworks.

  • Christina Luck nominated for Best Set Design for a Drama for Fireworks.

FESTIVAL 2009/2010

2 Awards & 2 Nominations

  • Elizabeth Moran awarded THEA for Best Lighting Design for a Musical for Two by Two.

  • Amélie Larente awarded THEA for Best Sound Design for a Musical for Two by Two.

  • Daniel Galea nominated for the Musical Adjudicator’s Award for Stage Management for Two by Two.

  • The South Simcoe Theatre (The Design/Production team) for Two by Two nominated for the Musical Adjudicator’s Award for Cohesive Realisation of the Director's Vision.

FESTIVAL 2007/2008

4 Awards & 2 Nominations

  • Audrey Turner awarded THEA for Best Costume Design for a Musical for Little Women.

  • The South Simcoe Theatre [Margery Cruise, Producer] awarded THEA for Best Production of a Musical for Little Women.

  • Meaghan Hope awarded THEA for Best Music Direction of a Musical for Little Women.

  • Sue Timbers awarded THEA for Musical Adjudicator’s Award for a Pot-Pourri of Achievements for Little Women.

  • Mark Hayward nominated for Best Lighting Design for a Musical for Little Women.

  • Alexandra Potvin nominated for Best Performance by a Female in a Leading Role in a Musical for her role as “Amy” in Little Women.

FESTIVAL 2005/2006

1 Award & 4 Nominations

  • Danielle Kostrich awarded THEA for Musical Adjudicator’s Award for Outstanding Performance in her role as “Anne” in Anne of Green Gables.

  • Audrey Turner nominated for Best Costume Design for a Musical for Anne of Green Gables.

  • Laurel Dault nominated for Best Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her role as "Diana" in Anne of Green Gables.

  • Danielle Kostrich nominated for Best Performance by a Female in a Leading Role in a Musical for her role as “Anne” in Anne of Green Gables.

  • The South Simcoe Theatre nominated for Best Production of a Musical for Anne of Green Gables.

FESTIVAL 2003/2004

5 Awards & 6 Nominations

  • Carla Tucker awarded THEA for Best Choreographer of a Musical for Big – The Musical.

  • Greg Gibson awarded THEA for Best Musical Director of a Musical for Big – The Musical.

  • Ryan Jacobs awarded THEA for Best Performance by a Male in A Supporting Role in a Musical for his role as “Billy” in Big – The Musical.

  • Rae Smith awarded THEA for Best Artistic Direction of a Musical for Big – The Musical.

  • Bob Buckley awarded THEA for Best Presentation of a Musical for Big – The Musical.

  • Greg Good nominated for Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Big – The Musical.

  • Christina Luck nominated for Best Set Design of a Musical for Big – The Musical.

  • Victoria Laronde-Dillon nominated for Best Costume Design of a Musical for Big – The Musical.

  • Jason Flannery nominated for Best Performance by a Male in a Leading Role in a Musical for his role as “Josh Baskin” in Big – The Musical.

  • Stan Moll nominated for the Musical Adjudicator’s Award for Special Achievement by a Young Performer for his role as “Young Josh” in Big – The Musical.

  • Miriam Keegan nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Stage Management in a Musical for Big – The Musical.

FESTIVAL 2018/2019

9 Nominations

  • Nancy Chapple-Smokler nominated for Best Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role in a Comedy for her role as “Julia” in Lend Me A Tenor.

  • Vera Oleynikova nominated for Best Set Design for a Comedy for Lend Me A Tenor.

  • Stephen Dobby nominated for Best Performance by a Male in a Leading Role in a Comedy for his role as “Max” in Lend Me A Tenor.

  • Ann Fox nominated for Best Costume Design for a Comedy for Lend Me A Tenor.

  • Richard Varty nominated for the Comedy Adjudicator’s Award #3 for Stagecraft and Creative Problem-Solving for Lend Me A Tenor.

  • Mark Hayward nominated for Best Lighting Design for a Comedy for Lend Me A Tenor.

  • Gordon Haney nominated for Best Performance by a Male in a Supporting Role in a Drama for his role as “Gerry Evans” in Dancing at Lughnasa.

  • Philip Chase nominated for Best Sound Design for a Drama for Dancing at Lughnasa.

  • Kristen Keller nominated for Best Performance by a Female in a Leading Role in a Drama for her role as “Rose” in Dancing at Lughnasa.

FESTIVAL 2016/2017

1 Award & 4 Nominations

  • Sandi LaPlante awarded THEA for Best Costume Design for a Comedy for Blithe Spirit. (Citation: For careful attention to detail and history, for the obvious sense of joy in both found and created pieces, and a look that encapsulates.)

  • Amélie Larente nominated for Best Sound Design for a Comedy for Blithe Spirit.

  • Lauren Cully nominated for Best Set Design for a Comedy for Blithe Spirit.

  • Mark Hayward nominated for Best Lighting Design for a Comedy for Blithe Spirit.

  • The South Simcoe Theatre (Stage Management & Production Team) nominated for Comedy Adjudicator’s Award #3 for Magic As It Happens Only In Theatre for Blithe Spirit.

FESTIVAL 2014/2015

3 Awards & 1 Nomination

  • Jenny Landry awarded THEA for Best Performance by a Female in a Leading Role in a Musical for her role as "Christine Colgate" in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

  • Robert Townsend & Stephen Bainborough awarded THEAs for the Musical Adjudicator’s Award for Outstanding Onstage Pairing/Team for their roles as "Lawrence Jamesson" & "Freddy Benson", respectively, in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

  • The South Simcoe Theatre [Bob Buckley, Producer] nominated for Best Production of a Musical for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

FESTIVAL 2012/2013

1 Nomination

  • The Company nominated for the Musical Adjudicator’s Award for Cohesive and Comprehensive Realization of the Director’s Vision for Nunsense.

FESTIVAL 2010/2011

1 Award & 1 Nomination

  • Christina Luck awarded THEA for the Musical Adjudicator’s Award for Innovation in Set Design for Lucky Stiff.

  • Ann Johnston nominated for Best Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her role as “Rita La Porta” in Lucky Stiff.

FESTIVAL 2008/2009

5 Awards & 2 Nominations

  • Leanne Miller awarded THEA for Best Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her role as “Little Sally” in Urinetown.

  • Sandi LaPlante awarded THEA for Best Costume Design for a Musical for Urinetown.

  • David Ball awarded THEA for Best Performance by a Male in a Leading Role in a Musical for his role as “Bobby Strong” in Urinetown.

  • The South Simcoe Theatre [Bob Buckley, Producer] awarded THEA for Best Production of a Musical for Urinetown.

  • Renée Cingolani awarded THEA for Best Musical Direction of a Musical for Urinetown.

  • Edwina Douglas nominated for Best Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her role as “Penelope Pennywise” in Urinetown.

  • Kathy Simpson nominated for the Musical Adjudicator’s Award for Random Outstanding Individual Achievement in bowing to public pressure from Cookstown merchants to remove publicity signs for Urinetown.

FESTIVAL 2006/2007

2 Awards & 8 Nominations

  • Stephen Bainborough awarded THEA for Best Performance by a Male in a Leading Role in a Musical for his role as “Albert Peterson” in Bye, Bye Birdie.

  • Ann Johnston awarded THEA for Best Performance by a Female in a Leading Role in a Musical for her role as “Rose” in Bye, Bye Birdie.

  • Christina Luck nominated for Best Set Design for a Comedy for The Curious Savage

  • Kathy Simpson nominated for Best Costume Design for a Musical for Bye, Bye Birdie.

  • Mary Elizabeth Niec nominated for Best Choreographer of a Musical for Bye, Bye Birdie.

  • Brandon Crone nominated for Best Performance by a Male in a Supporting Role in a Comedy for his role as “Jeffrey” in The Curious Savage.

  • Christine Murray nominated for Best Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role in a Comedy as "Fairy May" in The Curious Savage.

  • Michael Clipperton and Kate Krogman nominated for Best Artistic Direction of a Musical for Bye, Bye Birdie.

  • The South Simcoe Theatre (Susan Worthington, Producer) nominated for Best Production of a Musical for Bye, Bye Birdie.

  • Kristen Alary, Chantal Bourget, Hayden Bristow, Rachel Canale, Greg Carruthers, Alycia Dobson, Matthew Durkin, Alexis Farrell, Taylor Giovanezzo, Mikhaela Gray, Heather Johnston, Meg Kavanagh, Chelsea Lougheed, Ian McNiece, Leanne Miller, Amber Murphy, Kimberly Perryman, Ryan Pich, Daniel Tanner, Michala Todd and Robbie Woods nominated for the Musical Adjudicator’s Award for Outstanding Children's Chorus in Bye, Bye Birdie.

FESTIVAL 2004/2005

1 Award & 4 Nominations

  • Sandi LaPlante awarded THEA for Best Costume Design for a Musical for Annie.

  • Carla Tucker nominated for Best Choreographer of a Musical for Annie.

  • Anita Horodynsky nominated for Best Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her role as "Lily St. Regis" in Annie.

  • Lindsay Cadieux nominated for Best Performance by a Female in a Leading Role in a Musical for her role as "Miss Hannigan" in Annie.

  • Bob Buckley nominated for Best Artistic Direction of a Musical for Annie.

bottom of page