The Very Useful Theatre Company presented its awards of excellence for the 2022 Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays at the Cachet Supper Club in Newmarket, with actors, directors, volunteers and board members present.
The awards recognize four categories across nine plays.
The nominees for the best performance by a female actor:
- Michelle Prestie, Waiting
- Christine Sawka, From the membrane of the nucleus
- Jo-Anne Pulfer, The Booth
The award goes to Jo-Anne Pulfer, The Booth
The nominees for the best performance by a male actor:
- Harris Bailey, From the membrane of the nucleus
- Desmond Baxter, Waiting
- John Sellen, The Booth
The award goes to Harris Bailey, From the membrane of the nucleus
The nominees for the Ross Bayley Award for best director:
- Mary Rose Talani, From the membrane of the nucleus
- Dale Sheldrake, Ug and the Boar
- Amanda Dempsey-Laughlin, Waiting
- Joan Burrows, The Booth
The Ross Award goes to Amanda Dempsey-Laughlin, Waiting
The nominees for the most outstanding play in the festival:
- Donna Sorbello, Waiting
- Jim Geoghan, Ug and the boar
- Peter Balaskas, From the membrane of the nucleus
The award goes to Donna Sorbello, Waiting
The VUTC Young Company under the direction of Kira Rosenbloom performed three original plays that were written, directed and performed by the VUTC Young Company at the Sunday matinee.
What if COVID happened in the 80s won the VUTC Young Company best play. The best director(s) were Rayna Rodriguez and Charlotte Kolas for What if COVID happened in the 80s.
The best young female actor went to Penny Kelson who was terrific in all three plays, and 10-year-old William Couper won best male actor.
The VUTC is a registered not-for-profit charity that organizes this prestigious annual festival, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Newmarket, to raise funds that go back into the community. In past years, the VUTC has made significant donations to such charities as the Newmarket Food Pantry and CHATS.
Congratulations to all the nominees and winners from the 2022 Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays from everyone involved in this year’s successful event. The festival is already gearing up for their sixth annual festival of one act plays in September 2023 at the Old Town Hall in Newmarket. Theatre lovers, please mark your calendars as anticipation is already mounting.
