''We thought it would be good to bring all the theatre groups in Musical Theatre New Zealand zone five together for an annual awards celebration, where we could acknowledge performance and production excellence and celebrate our passion for theatre,'' Ostas producer Doug Kamo said yesterday.
''We also wanted to encourage musical theatre people to get together and talk and share their ideas and resources better.''
''The judges will be looking at all productions produced in zone five throughout the calendar year,'' Mr Kamo said.
There are 20 awards, including the Otago Southern Achievement Award for outstanding commitment and services to performing arts. Productions will be judged on a scale from one (adequate) to 10 (exemplary).
The judging panel is Murray Davidson (Musical Theatre Dunedin), Alex Derbie (Showbiz Queenstown), Lynette Budge (Oamaru Operatic), Robyn Gardner and Margaret Jackson (both South Otago Theatrical Society).
Shows being presented this year are Annie - The Musical (South Otago Theatrical Society), Chicago (Showbiz Queenstown), Les Miserables (Taieri Musical Society), Honk (West Otago Theatrical Society), Death and Taxes (Fine Thyme Theatre Company, Cromwell), Best of Broadway (Gore Operatic Society), Chicago (Oamaru Operatic), Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story (Alexandra Musical Society) and Hairspray (Musical Theatre Dunedin).
The inaugural Ostas will be presented at a black-tie function in Dunedin during February 2014.
