1 – BEST SET DESIGN
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - judged on appropriateness and relevance of set to production, practicality and originality.

2 – BEST COSTUMES
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - judged on appropriateness and relevance of costumes to production, practicality and originality.

3 – BEST LIGHTING DESIGN / OPERATION
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - judged on appropriateness to production, practicality and originality.

4 – BEST SOUND DESIGN / OPERATION
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - judged on balance of music to voice, quality of sound and handling of any problems during production.

5 - BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT OR EFFECT
(excluding Lighting and Sound)
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - judged on any sound or lighting or other effects utilised within the production.

6 – BEST PROGRAM
Open to Both Streams of the Awards - judged on layout, information given, creativity and originality. Programs without a Synopsis of the show will be ineligible for nomination.

7 – THE JOCK AND BEVERLY MCILWAIN SPECIAL ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD & BURSARY
(Sponsored by The Friends of the Arts Foundation)
Open to All Participants in the Awards up to the age of 18 years - awarded to a young person who has potential to develop into a professional performer.

8 – MAGIC MOMENT OF THEATRE
Open to All Participants in the Awards - awarded to any performer or production or company for a particular "moment" on stage - funny or memorable in some way.

9 – BEST VOCAL OR MUSICAL DIRECTOR IN A YOUTH PRODUCTION
Open only to Youth Program participants - awarded for either vocal performances when the musical has used professional backing CDs instead of a live orchestra (Vocal Director), OR where the music has been provided by a live orchestra (M.D.).

10 – BEST CHOREOGRAPHER IN A YOUTH PRODUCTION
Open only to Youth Program participants - judged on choreography in either a Play or a Musical or a Musical Revue.

11 – BEST CHOREOGRAPHER IN A COMMUNITY THEATRE PLAY OR MUSICAL OR MUSICAL REVUE
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - judged on choreography in either a Play or a Musical or a Musical Revue.

12 – BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A COMMUNITY THEATRE PLAY
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - awarded for a role other than the lead; a minor principal role; for commitment and consistency in characterisation.

13 – BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A COMMUNITY THEATRE PLAY
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - awarded for a role other than the lead; a minor principal role; for commitment and consistency in characterisation.

14 – BEST ACTOR OR ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A YOUTH PRODUCTION
Open only to Youth Program participants - awarded for a role other than the lead; a minor principal role; for commitment and consistency in characterisation.

15 – BEST ENSEMBLE IN A PLAY OR MUSICAL
Open only to Community Theatre Groups

16 - BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A COMMUNITY THEATRE PLAY
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - awarded for outstanding onstage presence and vocal delivery.

17– BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A COMMUNITY THEATRE PLAY
Open only to Community Theatre Groups – awarded for outstanding onstage presence and vocal delivery.

18 – BEST ACTOR OR ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A YOUTH PRODUCTION
Open only to Youth Program participants – awarded for consistency in characterisation and bringing something special to the role.

19 – BEST VOCAL DIRECTOR IN A COMMUNITY THEATRE MUSICAL OR MUSICAL REVUE
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - judged on the vocal performances when the musical has used professional backing CDs instead of a live orchestra, OR where the vocal Director operates separately from the Musical Director.

20 – BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR OF A COMMUNITY THEATRE MUSICAL
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - awarded for outstanding musical co-ordination, both of orchestra/band and cast members, vocal excellence and overall vocal quality of production.

21 – BEST DIRECTOR OF A YOUTH PRODUCTION (PLAY OR MUSICAL)
Open only to Youth Program participants

22 – BEST YOUTH PRODUCTION (PLAY OR MUSICAL)
Open only to Youth Program participants – awarded for excellence in the overall delivery of a production. Awarded to the company presenting the piece.

23 – BEST DIRECTOR OF A COMMUNITY THEATRE PLAY
Open only to Community Theatre Groups – awarded for excellence in the overall delivery of a production, including casting, vocal delivery and originality in presenting the piece.

24 – BEST DIRECTOR OF A COMMUNITY THEATRE MUSICAL OR MUSICAL REVUE
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - awarded for excellence in the overall delivery of a production, including casting, vocal delivery and originality in presenting the piece.

25 – BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A COMMUNITY THEATRE MUSICAL OR MUSICAL REVUE
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - awarded for commitment to the role, consistency in characterisation.

26 – BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A COMMUNITY THEATRE MUSICAL OR MUSICAL REVUE
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - awarded for commitment to the role, consistency in characterisation.

27 – BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A COMMUNITY THEATRE MUSICAL
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - awarded for outstanding talent in acting / singing / dancing, and onstage presence.

28 – BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A COMMUNITY THEATRE MUSICAL OR MUSICAL REVUE
Open only to Community Theatre Groups - awarded for outstanding talent in acting / singing / dancing, and onstage presence.

29 – GOLD PALM AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY THEATRE PLAY
Open only to Community Theatre Groups – awarded for a play which in the judges’ opinion was the highlight of the year. Awarded to the company presenting the piece.

30 – GOLD PALM AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY THEATRE MUSICAL
Open to both Streams – awarded for a musical which in the judges’ opinion was the highlight of the year. Awarded to the company presenting the piece.



JUDGES DISCRETIONARY AWARD
(Awarded at the judges’ discretion – not a regular category)

PLATINUM PALM AWARD
There will be no nominations announced for this Award, which will be presented on the night to the individual or company deemed to have presented / supplied / staged or appeared in a production, or given a service to the theatrical community which is considered outstanding.