Nominations for the second annual Dunedin Theatre Awards were released on Monday.
Otago Daily Times deputy editor Simon Cunliffe's debut play, The Truth Game, vies for best production with Globe Theatre production Waiting For Godot and Fortune Theatre musical Avenue Q.
Out of the 34 nominations, 25 were for plays either produced or staged at the Fortune, while the Globe Theatre's Waiting For Godot garnered five.
"The awards are a chance for us to be the audience and to honour our best and brightest," awards co-ordinator Patrick Davies said yesterday.
"I'm not sure the Dunedin public is aware of the depth of talent and the dynamic range of theatre available here - mainstream, cabaret, musical, physical theatre, mixed ability. We have a lot of people who are very, very talented," he said.
"This year we have 29 widely differing groups, representing a huge array of shows in the last 12 months."
The awards will be presented by Dunedin City Council arts adviser Cara Paterson at a ceremony at the Playhouse Theatre, on December 12, starting at 7pm.
It will be compered by Dunedin actor Mark Neilson.
Awards will also be made on the night for rising star, industry support and outstanding contribution to Dunedin theatre.
Nominees are. -Best design (technical): Stephen Kilroy (lighting design for The Tutor, Fortune Theatre), Brendan Albery (lighting design for Avenue Q, Fortune Theatre), Mark Kane and Miguel Nitis (audio visual design for Avenue Q, Fortune Theatre), Martyn Roberts (lighting design for Waiting For Godot, Globe Theatre).
Best design (scenographic): Deborah Ward (costume design for Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, Fortune Theatre), Peter King (set design for Avenue Q, Fortune Theatre) and Peter King (set design for God of Carnage, Fortune Theatre).
Best publicity: Danny Still (for Hush, Talking House), Danny Still and Christine Colbert (for A Very Potter Musical, RAD Productions), James Higgs, Miguel Nitis and Nikki Kidd (for Avenue Q, Fortune Theatre).
Best emerging talent: Jake Metzger (The Tutor), Luke Agnew (My First Attempt, Theatre As Is), Megan Grinlinton (Late Night Improv, Anti Social Tap), Miriam Noonan (Late Night Improv, Anti Social Tap) and Nadya Shaw Bennett (The Little Jester, Fortune Theatre).
Best visiting production: Mates And Lovers (Dunedin Fringe Festival, Fortune studio), Pacific Underground - Rangi and Mau's Amazing Race (Fortune studio) and The Second Test (Fortune studio).
Best script/narrative: Simon Cunliffe (The Truth Game), Jessica Latton and Rhys Latton (The Little Jester) and Richard Huber (Democracy, Stage South "Write Out Loud").
Best performance (male): Peter Hayden (The Truth Game), Harry Love (Waiting For Godot) and John Watson (Waiting For Godot).
Best female performance: Anna Henare (The Truth Game), Clare Dougan (God of Carnage), Elena Stejko (A Shortcut To Happiness, Fortune Theatre) and Kathleen Burns (Five Women Wearing The Same Dress).
Best director: Lara Macgregor (God of Carnage), Patrick Davies (The Tutor) and Richard Huber (Waiting For Godot).
Production of the year: The Truth Game, Waiting For Godot and Avenue Q.
