Congratulations to the award winners at the 23rd Dandenong Ranges One Act Play Festival held at The Gem Theatre in Emerald.
Gemco would like to thank all the companies who again made the trek into the hills. You are the ones (and Margie at the bar) who make the festival what it is - a celebration of theatre and theatre craft.  In all, 10 companies presented 14 plays over the 2 days of the festival.  There were 5 new plays, 60 Actors, myriad techs and mechs going about their quiet business, ensuring that everyone got on stage without a hitch.  Congratulations to all involved for helping to make another great Festival.

Special Thanks to the adjudicator Sharon Maine for giving up her weekend and giving such insightful comments about each play.

Results 2017

Best Production

Winner: Heroes - Bitten by Productions

Nominated: Second Sight - Brighton Theatre Company;
Victoria Station - Adelphi Players

Best Director

Winner: Deborah Fabbro - Second Sight - Brighton Theatre Company

Nominated: Aron Toman - The Adjudicator - Pop Culture Theatre;
Dexter Bourke - Heroes - Bitten by Productions;
Michael Mace - Victoria Station - Adelphi Players

Best Female Actor

Winner: Carol Shelbourn - Zoe in Second Sight - Brighton Theatre Company

Nominated: Elise D'Amico - Jennifer in The Adjudicator - Pop Culture Theatre;
Krissi Creighton - Rosemary Banks in Three Lovers - Here There and Everywhere;
Rexine Perry - Charlotte in All His Christmases at Once - The Mount Players

Best Male Actor

Winner: Glenn Hunt - The Controller in Victoria Station - Adelphi Players

Nominated: Blake Stringer - Nick in Heroes - Bitten by Productions;
Matt Phillips - Jake in Heroes - Bitten by Productions

Best Supporting Female Actor

Winner: Elise D'Amico - Jane in All His Christmases at Once - The Mount Players

Nominated: Katie Karandais - Emily in The Adjudicator - Pop Culture Theatre;
Kristy Budd - Emily in All His Christmases at Once - The Mount Players;
Audrey Farthing - Sonia in Second Sight - Brighton Theatre Company;
Bella Walker - Alice in Second Sight - Brighton Theatre Company

Best Supporting Male Actor

Winner: Dave Coonan - Driver 274 in Victoria Station - Adelphi Players

Nominated: Andrew Tomazos - Martin in The Adjudicator - Pop Culture Theatre;
Fred Jamieson - Virgil in Avatar - Kathy's Theatre Group;
Alistair Trapnell - Harley in Brooklyn - Flashlight Theatre Company

People's Choice

Winner: Second Sight - Brighton Theatre Company

Second: Heroes - Bitten by Productions

Third - equal: What's your Cause? - Gemco Youth;
Three Lovers - Here There and Everywhere

Best New Play

Winner: Heroes by Gabriel Bergmoser

Nominated: The Adjudicator by Aron Toman;
Brooklyn by Natalie Burns

Best Ensemble

Winner: Three Lovers - Here There and Everywhere Theatre Company

Nominated: Brooklyn - Flashlight Theatre Company;
The Rules are the Rules are the Rules - Pop Culture Theatre

Best Drama

Winner: Heroes - Bitten by Productions

Nominated: Brooklyn - Flashlight Theatre Company;
Second Sight - Brighton Theatre Company;
What's your Cause? - Gemco Youth

Best Comedy

Winner: Victoria Station - Adelphi Players

Nominated: The Adjudicator - Pop Culture Theatre;
The Rules are the Rules are the Rules - Pop Culture Theatre;
Three Lovers - Here There and Everywhere Theatre Company

Actor Showing the Most Potential

Fred Jamieson - Kathy's Theatre Group and Dizzy Productions

Best Youth Production - Margaret Abernathy Plate

What's your Cause? - Gemco Youth

The whole cast were nominated for all the following awards as it was such an Ensemble play:
Aimee Achten; Alfie Baker; Tash Bartley; Jazz Fox; Acacia Goyne; Sharni Lee;
Bryn Mahon; Conor O'Neill; Anthony Osseweyer; Emily Prout; Cailey Sheppard;
Luke Slade; Bregje Van Vark; Diuwke Van Vark

Best Female Youth Actor: Cailey Sheppard

Best Male Youth Actor: Luke Slade

Best Supporting Female Youth Actor: Acacia Goyne

Best Supporting Male Youth Actor: Alfie Baker

Youth Actor Showing Most Potential: Sharni Lee

Adjudicator Awards:

Natalie Burns for her well structured writing and wonderful use of lighting and sound elements for Brooklyn

Anthony Osseweyer for having the courage and conviction to stand up and share your story and for making us listen

Bregje Van Vark for a measured, confident, clear performance showing beautiful character development

Aron Toman for the non-stop, hilarious one-liners throughout The Adjudicator

Lauren, Kristen and Andrew for creating hilarious physical comedy with the use of the "dead body" in The Rules are the Rules are the Rules