Music Theatre, Technical Production alumni nominated for Dora Awards

Sheridan alumni played a part in all five of the productions nominated for Outstanding Production: Musical Theatre Division for this year’s Dora Mavor Moore Awards.

The Dora Awards recognize excellence in professional theatre, dance and opera in Toronto. The awards, now in their 40^th year, honour the late Dora Mavor Moore — a beloved teacher, director, and champion of the performing arts. The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts announced the nominations on May 28.

Two alumnae will vie for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role: Vanessa Sears (Music Theatre ’15) for the title role in Mary Poppins, and Hailey Gillis (Theatre and Drama Studies ’13) for the role of Rose in Soulpepper Theatre Company’s musical of the same name. Both musicals are up for Outstanding Production: Musical Theatre Division.

Elsewhere, Brandon Antonio (Music Theatre ’17) and Jade Repeta (Music Theatre ’13) have each been nominated for Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role. Antonio performed the role of Gabe Goodman in Next to Normal, while Repeta played Mrs. Brill in Mary Poppins.

The winners will be unveiled on Tuesday, June 25 at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.

See below a full list of the alumni nominated:

• In the category of Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role, Hailey Gillis (Theatre and Drama Studies ’13) is nominated for Rose, while Vanessa Sears (Music Theatre ’15) is nominated for Mary Poppins.
• Brandon Antonio (Music Theatre ’17) and Jade Repeta (Music Theatre ’13) are each up for Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role. Repeta was nominated for her role in Mary Poppins. Antonio is nominated for his role in Next to Normal, which was also nominated for Outstanding Production: Musical Theatre Division.
• Camilla Diaz-Varela (Music Theatre ’13) is part of the team to be nominated for Outstanding Performance of an Ensemble for Alex in Wonderland. Eudes-Arnaud La Roche-Francoeur (Music Theatre ’18) is nominated in the same category for Treasure Island.
• Four alumni received nods for Outstanding Production: General Theatre Division. Haley Reap (Advanced Special Effects ’12) worked on Secret Life of Mother, and Chelsea Reinders (Technical Production Theatre and Live Events ’12) was part of the team to work on Bug. Allison Edwards-Crewe (Musical Theatre ’09) and Vanessa Janiszewski (Technical Production ’04) contributed to School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play.
• Seven alumni contributed to Mary Poppins, which is nominated for Outstanding Production: Musical Theatre Division. They include: Vanessa Sears (Music Theatre ’15), Jessica Cox (Music Theatre ’15), Hailey Lewis (Music Theatre ’16), Jade Repeta (Music Theatre ’13), Kyle Golema (Music Theatre ’05), Starr Domingue (Music Theatre ’01) and Aisha Jarvis (Music Theatre ’15).
• Rose is also nominated for Outstanding Production: Musical Theatre Division. Contributing alumni include: Hailey Gillis (Theatre and Drama Studies ’13), Kaitlyn Mackinnon (Technical Production Theatre and Live Events ’16), Jenny Weisz (Music Theatre ’13) and Michelle Bouey (Musical Theatre ’12).
• Shakura Dickson (Musical Theatre ’13) is part of the Dear Evan Hansen team, which was also nominated for Outstanding Production: Musical Theatre Division.
• Current Musical Theatre students Joshua Alcantara, Alexander Batycki, Noah Beemer, Emma Burke-Kleinman, Michael Derworiz, Jesse Drwiega, Jill Goranson, Alexandre Iannuzzi, Kelsi James, Taran Kim, Alten Wilmot and Elise Wilson are part of the ensemble for Kiss of the Spider Woman, which has been nominated for Outstanding Production: Musical Theatre Division.