A night of glam at the Gold Palm Theatre Awards

Creatives across Southeast Queensland gathered at Dracula’s Cabaret and Restaurant on Monday to celebrate a year of theatre at the 2019 Gold Palm Theatre Awards.

Finalists and nominees donned their finest suits and frocks and schmoozed with the ghouls and zombies in an event that acknowledged the glorious theatrical work produced throughout the year. 

With performances by local troupes including Moreton Bay Theatre Company, Toowoomba Choral Society, Redcliffe Musical Theatre, Helensvale State High School, Ipswich Musical Theatre and Spotlight Theatrical Company, the evening celebrated local talent in a schmogousburg of technical and artistic achievement. 

Inaugurated in 2009, the ceremony acknowledges contributions made by community theatre groups, high schools and colleges throughout a year with categories from best program, best overall production and everything in between. 

Deciding on the award recipients are a panel of judges who visit dozens of musicals and plays, from Redcliffe to Ballina to Towoomba and Ipswich. In 2019, the panel saw over 70 productions, proving that the performing arts industry is thriving across our communities. 

A full list of winners and nominees are included below. Congratulations on all who participated in the event – we raise our glass to you. 

Gold Palm Theatre Awards – 2019 Winners

Best Set Design
Joshua McIntosh, ‘Mamma Mia’ – Ipswich Musical Theatre Company

Best Costumes
Shirley Whitehouse, ‘The King and I’ – Gold Coast Little Theatre

Best Lighting Design
Chris Cathcart, ‘Cats’ – Queensland Musical Theatre

Best Sound Design
Mal Boal, ‘X-Stacy’ – Moreton Bay Theatre Company

Best Technical Achievement or Effect
‘The Crucible’ – Beenleigh Theatre Group (Projections design and operation)

Best Programme
Stuart Fisher, ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ – Beenleigh Theatre Group

The Jock and Beverly McIlwain Special Encouragement Award
Georgia Mercer, ‘Wicked’ – A.B. Paterson College

Magic Moment of Theatre
‘Mamma Mia’ – Ipswich Musical Theatre Company (The use of the mirrors on wheels on the boat)

Best Vocal or Musical Director in a Youth Production
Damian Dore, ‘Narnia’ – Toowoomba Choral Society

Best Choreographer in a Youth Production
Daniel Erbacher, ‘Narnia’ – Toowoomba Choral Society

Best Choreographer in a Community Theatre Play, Musical or Musical Revue
Anna Jaques, ‘Wicked’ – Ballina Players

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Community Theatre Play
Arun Clarke, ‘X-Stacy’ – Moreton Bay Theatre Company

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Community Theatre Play
Alison Telfer-McDonald, ‘X-Stacy’ – Moreton Bay Theatre Company

Best Actor or Actress in a Supporting Role in a Youth Production
Kai Latter, ‘Romeo & Juliet’ – Emmanuel College

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Community Theatre Play
Brad Kendrick, ‘Kelly’- Spotlight Theatrical Company

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Community Theatre Play
Lesley Davis, ‘Chapter Two’ – Sunnybank Theatre Company

Best Actor or Actress in a Leading Role in a Youth Production
Summer Ledingham, ‘Aladdin Jnr.’ – St Hilda’s School

Best Vocal Director in a Community Theatre Musical or Musical Revue
Helen Drew, ‘Nunsense’ – Redcliffe Musical Theatre

Best Musical Director of a Community Theatre Musical
Julie Whiting, ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ – Beenleigh Theatre Group

Best Director of a Youth Production
Vicki Bravery, ‘Narnia’ – Toowoomba Choral Society

Best Youth Production
‘Narnia’ – Toowoomba Choral Society

Best Director of a Community Theatre Play
Cilla Scott, ‘Kelly’ – Spotlight Theatrical Company

Best Director of a Community Theatre Musical or Musical Revue
Kaitlyn Carlton, ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ – Beenleigh Theatre Group

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Community Theatre Musical or Musical Revue
Ken Morrissey, ‘My Fair Lady’ – Toowoomba Choral Society

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Community Theatre Musical or Musical Revue
Rowena Orcullo Ryan, ‘The King and I’ – Gold Coast Little Theatre

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Community Theatre Musical or Musical Revue
Jon Maskell, ‘The King and I’ – Gold Coast Little Theatre

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Community Theatre Musical or Musical Revue
Trish Dearness, ‘Nunsense’ – Redcliffe Musical Theatre

Outstanding Community Theatre Production
‘X-Stacy’ – Moreton Bay Theatre Company

Judge’s Discretionary Award
Sunnybank Theatre Company

Gold Palm Award
‘Bonnie & Clyde’ – Beenleigh Theatre Group

Platinum Palm Award
Moreton Bay Theatre Company

For a full list of the 2019 Nominees, Winners and Past Awards, visit the Gold Palm Theatre Awards Website.