“This year, we have the highest standard of excellence ever” said Executive Director, Dawn Lindberg
“So much so that we have introduced 4 new categories: “Best Director of a Musical”, “Best Support/Featured performance in a Musical” and “Best Performance in a production for Children’s Theatre”. The fourth new category is in keeping with the new technology involved in design of sets: “Best AV/Animation”.
To help the judges to assess this new category, we held a “Techie Training” session at the Market Theatre Lab last year, at which experts in the fields of lighting, sound and set design as well as directing, were invited to share some of their techniques and vision. This will now become an annual Event for students of Theatre design and judges.
We have also expanded the judging panel by 6 new judges, who were chosen after extensive research after the highly successful “Forum” we held last year to ascertain suggestions and input from the Industry in how to improve and develop our modus operandi. The new judges will of course only start assessing productions from January 2016.
We have 26 categories, as well as 4 Special Award categories: The Life Time Achievement Award (for Theatre Stalwarts who have given more than 30 years to our Industry), the Executive Director’s Award, for individuals or companies who have contributed to the advancement and development of SA Theatre through their vision and commitment, the World Impact Award, for productions or individuals who have raised the bar of SA Theatre Internationally, and a new Award: “The Lesedi Spirit of Courage” Award, for individuals or companies who have transcended deep trauma or disadvantage to make a life changing impact on SA Theatre.
We are honoured to announce several new sponsors for Award Categories: ROBE and DWR lighting Distribution, who not only are sponsoring all the technical categories, but ROBE is offering an all expenses trip to Prague, in the Czech Republic, for the winner of Best Lighting design, to visit the Robe factory and attend special workshops.
Other category sponsors include Dreamsets, Distell, the State Theatre and the Market Theatre, which also sponsors the “Best Emerging Voice Award, for young Directors and Theatre Makers of exceptional talent.
For invitations and media accreditation, please contact the Naledi office on: info@naleditheatreawards.org.za or telephone Elmereth on 011 880 7760.
Source: Artslink.
