20th Annual Naledi Theatre Awards Nominations for Productions staged during 2024
The Naledi Theatre Awards are proud to announce the nominations for the milestone 20th Annual Naledi Theatre Awards for productions presented during the 2024 nominations year.
CEO of the Awards, Lihan Pretorius, says: “These nominations are particulary poignant for the Awards, as they are testament to the durability of the dreams of our founder, the late Dawn Lindberg.” He continues, “They are also a validation of the fact that for twenty years, totally unfunded by any governmental organisations, we have managed to survive to celebrate Excellence in Theatre soley on the in-kind donations from entities and organisations like the Joburg Theatre, The South African State Theatre, Splitbeam, Heineken Beverages, Alan Ford Productions, Lift Airlines, WS Pianos, Blue Key Digital Marketing, The Buz Hive, STAND Foundation, Mindpool Productions, Adcock Ingram OTC and many other unsung donors who have kept this dream alive.”
Renos Spenoudes, Chair of the Judging Panels, added: “Our judges give up their personal time to see up to three or more productions a week – purely for the love of theatre and in an attempt to recognize excellence. We are always grateful to the producers, theatres and publicists who invite our judging panels to see their productions to ensure that their productions are considered for these prestigious awards.”
Judge and Board member, Chris Avant Smith, adds: “Despite the financial challenges we face every year to produce the awards, we continue to seek out and acknowledge those productions, performers and creatives who really embody our motto of Celebrating Excellence in Theatre.”
The 20th Annual Naledi Theatre Awards Ceremony will be staged, once again, on the Mandela Stage at the Joburg Theatre. The date, as well as the recipients of this year’s special awards, will be confirmed and announced in due course.
On behalf of the Judges and the Board of the Naledi Theatre Awards, CEO Lihan Pretorius is proud to announce the nominations for the 2024 year in review.
And…the Nominees are:
BEST PRODUCTION FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG AUDIENCES – SUPPORTED BY ASSITEJ SA
Aladdin Jr. (Peoples Theatre)
Disney’s The Lion King Jr. (National Children’s Theatre)
Momo’s Magical Adventure 2024 (Sandton City and Phly Media in partnership with Standard Bank Private)
My Son Pinocchio Jr. (Peoples Theatre)
Shrek The Musical Jr. (Oak Youth Theatre)
Space Rocks (National Children’s Theatre)
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A PRODUCTION FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
Kirsten Dickinson (Peter Rabbit And Me; National Children’s Theatre by arrangement with DALRO)
Luciano Zuppa (My Son Pinocchio Jr.; Peoples Theatre)
Palesa Makhalima (Winnie The Pooh Kids; Peoples Theatre)
Raymond Skinner (Aladdin Jr.; Peoples Theatre)
Trevor Lynch (Momo’s Magical Adventure 2024; Sandton City and Phly Media in partnership with Standard Bank Private)
Virtuous Kandemiri (Into The Woods Jr.; Pretoria Youth Theatre)
BEST PRODUCTION: FRINGE THEATRE
4 Cups (Lea Seekoe and Wits School of Arts)
Fatherhood (Alex Theatre Company and -Academy)
Prayers (The Market Theatre)
Swartwater (The Market Theatre Laboratory and Nama Khoi Productions supported by The National Heritage Council)
Taxi Wars (City of Ekurhuleni’s Dumisani Masilela Theatre in partnership with The Joburg Theatre)
The Perfect Image of Sandra Khambule (TX Theatre and Diverse Motion Pictures)
Yangthola (The Art Cave in collaboration with The Market Theatre Laboratory)
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A FRINGE THEATRE PRODUCTION
Abongile Matyutyu (Graveland; Lule Productions)
Alex Sono (Yangthola; The Art Cave in collaboration with The Market Theatre Laboratory)
Mathews Rantsoma (Walls And Pillows; TX Theatre)
Momo Matsunyane (Unlearn-Ing Still; Momo Matsunyane and Bonono Kreativez in association with The Market Theatre Laboratory)
Nthabeleng Masudubele (Nomzamo; Thabang Entertainment and National School of the Arts)
Refilwe Setati (Taxi Wars; City of Ekurhuleni’s Dumisani Masilela Theatre in partnership with The Joburg Theatre)
Seiphemo Motswiri (Be a Better Dog; African Tree Productions in association with PopArt)
BEST PRODUCTION: STUDENT THEATRE
Dreamer (The King’s School Linbro Park)
Godspell (Oakfields College)
High School Musical Jr. (Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria)
Hondo Yedu (AFDA)
In The Heights (Beaulieu College by arrangement with DALRO)
The Trial (St. Benedicts College (Bennies On Stage))
Wat Wolke Weeg (Hoërskool Hugenote (Allegretto Toneelfees))
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A STUDENT IN A STUDENT THEATRE PRODUCTION
Kyle Cronjé (Rooi; Nova Festival For New And Young Theatre, in collaboration with Scenario College and Die Centurion Teater)
Liam Heaney (Matilda Jr.; De La Salle Holy Cross College High School by arrangement with DALRO)
Neo Kele (Sister Act; Fourways High School)
Penta Chord (Dreamer; The King’s School Linbro Park)
Sinqobile Sithole (Eish!; St. Stithians Girls’ College)
Talja Roux (High School Musical Jr.; Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria)
Vuyokazi Ndlovu (In The Heights; Beaulieu College by arrangement with DALRO)
BEST PRODUCTION: DANCE, PHYSICAL THEATRE AND BALLET
The Sleeping Beauty (Joburg Ballet)
Amawethu (Luthando Arts Academy)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Joburg Ballet)
Ditoro (The Market Theatre Laboratory and Thamsanqa Majela)
Father & I (Windybrow Arts Centre, The Market Theatre and Moving Into Dance Trust)
No Air (Kmad Dance Company)
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY IN A DANCE, PHYSICAL THEATRE AND BALLET PRODUCTION
Jorge Perez Martinez (“Azul” from Scar/City; Joburg Ballet)
Luyanda Sidiya (Amawethu; Luthando Arts Academy)
Mario Gaglione (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Joburg Ballet)
Sunnyboy Mandla Motau (Father & I; Windybrow Arts Centre, The Market Theatre and Moving Into Dance Trust)
Thami Tshabalala & Phume Sikhakhane (No Air; Kmad Dance Company)
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A DANCE, PHYSICAL THEATRE AND BALLET PRODUCTION
Nicole Ferreira-Dill (Sleeping Beauty; Joburg Ballet)
Jayden Samuels (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Joburg Ballet)
Monike Cristina (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Joburg Ballet)
Ruan Galdino (Trilogy of Notes; WGRUV Dance Company)
Thamsanqa Majela (Ditoro; The Market Theatre Laboratory and Thamsanqa Majela)
Thabang Chauke (Father & I; Windybrow Arts Centre, The Market Theatre and Moving Into Dance Trust)
Lwazi Mnisi (No Air; Kmad Dance Company)
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY: FEMALE
Carla Classen (Laaitie Mettie Biscuits; The Market Theatre and Momentum Beleggings Aardklop)
Dianne Simpson (Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution; Pieter Toerien)
Khutjo Green (Ka Lebitso La Moya; Standard Bank, Momo Matsunyane, The South African State Theatre and Bonono Kreativez)
Siyasanga Papu (Ka Lebitso La Moya; Standard Bank, Momo Matsunyane, The South African State Theatre and Bonono Kreativez)
Stephanie Baartman (Laaitie Mettie Biscuits; The Market Theatre and Momentum Beleggings Aardklop)
Ziaphora Dakile (The Brothers, Number One and a Weekend Special; The Market Theatre)
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY: MALE
Job Kubatsi (The Suit; The Sello Maake KaNcube Foundation, Pearl Maake KaNcube and Daphne Kuhn)
Mark Elderkin (Amadeus; Gloucester Productions)
Peter Terry (Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution; Pieter Toerien)
Sello Ramolahloane (Exodus; The South African State Theatre in association with Masai Sepuru)
Sibusiso Black Madondo (Ka Lebitso La Moya; Standard Bank, Momo Matsunyane, The South African State Theatre and Bonono Kreativez)
Wayne Van Rooyen (Laaitie Mettie Biscuits; The Market Theatre and Momentum Beleggings Aardklop)
BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Ashley Scott (The Sound of Music; Pieter Toerien and Cape Town Opera)
Brett Kruger (Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution; Pieter Toerien)
Dylan Janse Van Rensburg (Spring Awakening; Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (LAMTA))
Jonathan Conrad (Spring Awakening; Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (LAMTA))
Joshwin Dyson (Laaitie Mettie Biscuits; The Market Theatre and Momentum Beleggings Aardklop)
Nicolas Hattingh (Expelled; How Now Brown Cow in association with The Market Theatre)
Yahto Kraft (Meatloaf – The Rebel Ride; The CIRK and Stageworx)
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY/MOVEMENT DIRECTION IN A PLAY OR MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
Anna Olivier & Naoline Quinzin (Spring Awakening; Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (LAMTA))
Duane Alexander (Mamma Mia; Showtime Management)
Khaya Ndlovu (Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast; Joburg Theatre)
Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi (Coal Yard; The Market Theatre in partnership with Ubuxhakaxhaka Theatre Productions)
Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi (Call Us Crazy; Dos Productions in partnership with The Market Theatre)
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE / ARRANGEMENTS / SOUNDSCAPE
Chanie Jonker (Gé Sing: Hoor My Lied!; Lefra Produksies)
Dale Ray (Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast; Joburg Theatre)
Daniel Butcher-Geddes (How To Date Like A F@#$&*! Grownup; VR Theatrical)
Jaco Smit (Aspoestertjie – Die Pantomime; Oak Entertainment)
Mandla Mkaba (For Colored Girls; Joburg Theatre)
Zolani Shangase and Tshepang Dean (Ka Lebitso La Moya; Standard Bank, Momo Matsunyane, The South African State Theatre and Bonono Kreativez)
BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Amy Campbell (Spring Awakening; Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (LAMTA))
Dale Ray (Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast; Joburg Theatre)
Daniel Keet (Lucia di Lammermoor; Cape Town Opera)
Jaziel Brothers (Thaba Bosiu – The Musical; The South African State Theatre in partnership with Performing Arts Centre Of the Free State)
Kevin Kraak (The Sound of Music; Pieter Toerien and Cape Town Opera)
Wessel Odendaal (How To Date Like A F@#$&*! Grownup; VR Theatrical)
BEST CABARET, REVUE OR SMALL SCALE MUSICAL PRODUCTION
4 Panado’s en ‘n Chardonnay (The Market Theatre Foundation and Drama Drama)
Any Dream Will Do (André Schwartz)
Gé Sing: Hoor My Lied! (Lefra Produksies)
Meatloaf – The Rebel Ride (The CIRK and Stageworx)
Swingin’ Las Vegas (Howard Events)
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SOLO PRODUCTION
Andrew Buckland (The Ugly Noo Noo; Andrew Buckland in association with The Market Theatre)
Ashley Dowds (Paul Slabolepszy’s The Return of Elvis Du Pisanie; Pieter Toerien)
Cara Roberts (The King of Broken Things; Theatresmiths in association with The Market Theatre)
Elzabé Zietsman (Routrip; Drama Drama)
Julie-Anne McDowell (My Name is Lucy Barton; How Now Brown Cow)
Shannon Esra (My Left Breast; Stephanie Weil and Tarryn Edwards by arrangement with DALRO)
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SOLO COMEDY PRODUCTION (WITH ELEMENTS OF STAND-UP)
Alan Committie (Fast And (Reasonably) Furious; Gloucester Productions)
Marc Lottering (Marc Eugene Lottering; Anwar McKay)
Marianne Thamm (Marianne Thamm’s Round Of Applause Reloaded!; Marianne Thamm)
Nik Rabinowitz (Pension Killer; Daphne Kuhn)
BEST ENSEMBLE IN A MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
Ben Stannard, Che-Jean Jupp, Gabriella Knight, Gemma Bisseker, Gerard Van Rooyen, Hannah Norcott, Jasmine Minter, Jayden Dickson, Jude Bunyan, Killian Blerk, Nandi Nyivana, Noa Duckitt, Skye Themeda Goss, Tatum Coleman, Tjaart Van Der Walt & Tumelo Mogashoa (Spring Awakening; Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (LAMTA))
Nontsikelelo Ndzume, Dudu Makhoba and Boitumelo Mohutsioa (Thaba Bosiu – The Musical; The South African State Theatre in partnership with Performing Arts Centre Of the Free State)
Cast of Disney – The Magic Box (Fever & Proactiv Entertainment and RGB Entertainment in partnership with Showtime Management)
Gina Shmukler, Kate Normington and Ilse Klink (Mamma Mia; Showtime Management)
Jackie Lulu, Simtandile Sityebi and Jordan Rogers (Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast; Joburg Theatre)
BEST ENSEMBLE IN A PLAY
Botha Enslin, Marissa Claasen, Phillru Van Achterbergh, Danielle Britz, Nico Loubser, Nikita Meyer And Stefan Lotter (My Boetie se Sussie se Ou; Lefra Produksies)
De Klerk Oelofse, Wessel Pretorius, Shanda Shandu and Ntlanhla Kutu (The Unlikely Secret Agent; The Market Theatre and Unlikely Productions)
Diphapang Mokoena, Tumelo Mokoena, Abongile Matyutyu and Mbovu Malinga (Coal Yard; The Market Theatre in partnership with Ubuxhakaxhaka Theatre Productions)
Khutjo Green, Momo Matsunyane and Noko Maboya (Call Us Crazy; Dos Productions in partnership with The Market Theatre)
Lucky Mqoboli, Sibusiso Mkhize and Kamogelo Molatlhoe (A Street Taxi Named Desiree; The South African State Theatre)
Rami Chuene, Ayanda Sibisi, Siyasanga Papu and Pulane Rampoana (The Cry of Winnie Mandela; The Market Theatre)
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Illka Louw (Amadeus; Gloucester Productions)
Mariska Meyer (Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast; Joburg Theatre)
Maritha Visagie (The Sound of Music; Pieter Toerien and Cape Town Opera)
Michael Mitchell (Lucia di Lammermoor; Cape Town Opera)
Nthabiseng Mokone (Ka Lebitso La Moya; Standard Bank, Momo Matsunyane, The South African State Theatre and Bonono Kreativez)
Sarah Roberts (Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution; Pieter Toerien)
BEST THEATRE SET- AND AV DESIGN
Andrew Timm and Enos Ramoroko (Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast; Joburg Theatre)
Jurgen Meekel and Andrea Rolfes (A Street Taxi Named Desiree; The South African State Theatre)
Karabo Legoabe (Ka Lebitso La Moya; Standard Bank, Momo Matsunyane, The South African State Theatre and Bonono Kreativez)
Kieran McGregor and Daniel Rutland Manners (Expelled; How Now Brown Cow in association with The Market Theatre)
Michael Mitchell (Lucia di Lammermoor; Cape Town Opera)
Michael Taylor-Broderick (The King of Broken Things; Theatresmiths in association with The Market Theatre)
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
Faheem Bardien (The Sound of Music; Pieter Toerien and Cape Town Opera)
Johan Ferreira (Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast; Joburg Theatre)
Kieran McGregor (Expelled; How Now Brown Cow in association with The Market Theatre)
Michael Taylor-Broderick (The King of Broken Things; Theatresmiths in association with The Market Theatre)
Oliver Hauser (Lucia di Lammermoor; Cape Town Opera)
Simon King (Lala Ngenxeba/Of Love and Revolution; The Market Theatre in partnership with COJ)
BEST SOUND DESIGN
Akhona Bozo (For Colored Girls; Joburg Theatre)
David Classen (Spring Awakening; Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (LAMTA))
Mark Malherbe (Mamma Mia; Showtime Management)
Pieter-Louis van Twisk and Wilf Mahne (Aspoestertjie – Die Pantomime; Oak Entertainment)
Zolani Shangase and Tshepang Dean (Ka Lebitso La Moya; Standard Bank, Momo Matsunyane, The South African State Theatre and Bonono Kreativez)
BEST DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
Ferdinand Gernandt (Aspoestertjie – Die Pantomime; Oak Entertainment)
Frans Swart (Gé Sing: Hoor My Lied!; Lefra Produksies)
Janice Honeyman (Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast; Joburg Theatre)
Napo Masheane (Thaba Bosiu – The Musical; The South African State Theatre in partnership with Performing Arts Centre Of the Free State)
Steven Stead (The Sound of Music; Pieter Toerien and Cape Town Opera)
Sylvaine Strike (Spring Awakening; Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (LAMTA))
BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY
Alan Swerdlow (Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution; Pieter Toerien)
Craig Freimond (Expelled; How Now Brown Cow in association with The Market Theatre)
Josias Dos Moleele (Call Us Crazy; Dos Productions in partnership with The Market Theatre)
Michael Taylor-Broderick (The King of Broken Things; Theatresmiths in association with The Market Theatre)
Momo Matsunyane (Ka Lebitso La Moya; Standard Bank, Momo Matsunyane, The South African State Theatre and Bonono Kreativez)
Simthembile Prince Lamla (Coal Yard; The Market Theatre in partnership with Ubuxhakaxhaka Theatre Productions)
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION: FEMALE
Janelle Visagie (The Sound of Music; Pieter Toerien and Cape Town Opera)
Judy Ditchfield (Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast; Joburg Theatre)
Kiruna-Lind Devar (Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast; Joburg Theatre)
Nadia Beukes (The Sound of Music; Pieter Toerien and Cape Town Opera)
Natalie Robbie (Spring Awakening; Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (LAMTA))
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION: MALE
Bongi Archi (Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast; Joburg Theatre)
Dylan Du Plessis (Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast; Joburg Theatre)
Francis Chouler (Spring Awakening; Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (LAMTA))
Gerard van Rooyen (Spring Awakening; Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (LAMTA))
Schoeman Smit (Aspoestertjie – Die Pantomime; Oak Entertainment)
William Berger (The Sound of Music; Pieter Toerien and Cape Town Opera)
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION: FEMALE
Brittany Smith (The Sound of Music; Pieter Toerien and Cape Town Opera)
Carmen Pretorius (Aspoestertjie – Die Pantomime; Oak Entertainment)
Elzabé Zietsman (4 Panado’s en ‘n Chardonnay; The Market Theatre Foundation and Drama Drama)
Scarlett Pay (Spring Awakening; Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (LAMTA))
Stephanie Baartman (Gé Sing: Hoor My Lied!)
Virtuous Kandemiri (Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast; Joburg Theatre)
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION: MALE
André Schwartz (Any Dream Will Do; André Schwartz)
Dylan Janse van Rensburg (Spring Awakening; Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (LAMTA))
John Paka (Thaba Bosiu – The Musical; The South African State Theatre in partnership with Performing Arts Centre Of the Free State)
Jonathan Conrad (Spring Awakening; Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (LAMTA))
Yahto Kraft (Meatloaf – The Rebel Ride; The CIRK and Stageworx)
Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri (How To Date Like A F@#$&*! Grownup; VR Theatrical)
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY: FEMALE
Altovise Lawrence (Oleanna)
Charmaine Weir-Smith (Expelled; How Now Brown Cow in association with The Market Theatre)
Mona Monyane (For Colored Girls; Joburg Theatre)
Nambitha Mpumlwana (The Cry of Winnie Mandela; The Market Theatre)
Tshireletso Nkoane (The Suit; The Sello Maake KaNcube Foundation, Pearl Maake KaNcube and Daphne Kuhn)
Zevie Mampofu (Ka Lebitso La Moya; Standard Bank, Momo Matsunyane, The South African State Theatre and Bonono Kreativez)
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY: MALE
Alan Committie (Amadeus; Gloucester Productions)
Billy Langa (Poet-O-Type; Theatre Duo and Inganekwane Creations in partnership with The Market Theatre)
Brent Palmer (King George; Brent Palmer and Daphne Kuhn)
Graham Hopkins (Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution; Pieter Toerien)
Josias Dos Moleele (Ka Lebitso La Moya; Standard Bank, Momo Matsunyane, The South African State Theatre and Bonono Kreativez)
Siyambonga Mdubeki (The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye; The South African State Theatre in association with Masai Sepuru)
BEST NEW SOUTH AFRICAN SCRIPT / ADAPTATION
Christo Davids (Laaitie Mettie Biscuits; The Market Theatre and Momentum Beleggings Aardklop)
Johan Slabbert (4 Panado’s en ‘n Chardonnay; The Market Theatre Foundation and Drama Drama)
Masai Sepuru (The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye and Exodus – Double Bill; The South African State Theatre in association with Masai Sepuru)
Michael Taylor-Broderick (The King of Broken Things; Theatresmiths in association with The Market Theatre)
Momo Matsunyane (Ka Lebitso La Moya; Standard Bank, Momo Matsunyane, The South African State Theatre and Bonono Kreativez)
Obett Motaung (A Street Taxi Named Desiree; The South African State Theatre)
Rosalind Butler (Expelled; How Now Brown Cow in association with The Market Theatre)
BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution (Pieter Toerien)
Call Us Crazy (Dos Productions in partnership with The Market Theatre)
Coal Yard (The Market Theatre in partnership with Ubuxhakaxhaka Theatre Productions)
Expelled (How Now Brown Cow in association with The Market Theatre)
Ka Lebitso La Moya (Standard Bank, Momo Matsunyane, The South African State Theatre and Bonono Kreativez)
The Cry of Winnie Mandela (The Market Theatre)
BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL / OPERA
Aspoestertjie – Die Pantomime (Oak Entertainment)
Janice Honeyman’s Beauty and the Beast (Joburg Theatre)
Lucia di Lammermoor (Cape Town Opera)
Spring Awakening (Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander (LAMTA))
The Sound of Music (Pieter Toerien and Cape Town Opera)
Ends:
Chris Avant Smith
Media Enquiries:
Chris Avant Smith Straight2media@gmail.com / Whatsapp 0610609257
