Awards

Theatre Ontario proudly recognizes those who make significant contributions to theatre in Ontario through the:
Maggie Bassett Award
Theatre Ontario Festival Awards
Victor C. Polley Award for Arts Administrators
Michael Spence Awards
Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in the Arts
Dean Ott and Debbie Boult Technical Theatre Award

Students are eligible for other awards:
Certificate of Recognition by their high school
Judy Silver Scholarship Fund

Maggie Bassett Award

The Maggie Bassett Award is presented annually to an individual who, over a number of years, has made a sustained and significant contribution to the development of theatre in Ontario.

As Theatre Ontario's first employee, the late Maggie Bassett created a solid foundation for the organization by launching the Professional Theatre Training Program, Summer Courses, and the Newsletter.  Her love for the arts held no barriers between community, professional or educational theatre.  Maggie was also a fine director and actress and performed at Tarragon Theatre, Huron County Playhouse, and at the Alumnae Theatre.  For many years, she attended all regional festivals.  She was known for her warmth, humour, sparkle and the sincere encouragement she bestowed on those around her.  This award is for dedication to theatre beyond the call of duty.  The award is a stunning bronze statuette entitled "COURAGE", designed by Rita Tuckett and sculpted by Ronald Thom.

Past recipients of the award are James Alexander, Patricia Beharriell, Sandy Black, Jack Blacklock, Jeff Burke, Ron Cameron-Lewis, Wayne Fairhead, Richard Howard, Jack Medhurst, Heather McCallum, Kay McKie, Beth McMaster, Dusty Miller, Yvette Nolan, Wilf Pegg, Angela Rebeiro, Virginia Reh, Kim Renders, Jean Roberts, Lib Spry, Dennis Sweeting, Elsie Thomson, Sandra Tulloch, Herman Voaden, Ken Watts, and Herbert Whittaker.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the award criteria.
Call for nominations for the 2009 award: February 2, 2009.
Deadline for nominations: March 16, 2009.

Theatre Ontario Festival Awards

Theatre Ontario Festival Awards are presented to Ontario's best community theatre productions, showcased at the annual Theatre Ontario Festival.

The Elsie
The Elsie award is presented to the Outstanding Festival Production.  It commemorates the contribution to Canadian theatre made by Elsie Elizabeth Thomson.  The sculpture "Nice Company" represents a group of cooperating, communicating and supportive people with a leader closer by like a friend.  The award was designed by sculptor Richard Kramer of Dundas.

The Elsie was first presented in 1985.  The Outstanding Festival Productions since the first festival (in 1973) were:


2007 Domino Theatre (Kingston) All My Sons
2006 Peterborough Theatre Guild Someone Who'll Watch Over Me
2005 The Curtain Club (Richmond Hill) Marvin's Room
2004 The Curtain Club (Richmond Hill) Staff Room
2003 Guelph Little Theatre Cosi
2002 Burlington Little Theatre Eleemosynary
2001 Burlington Little Theatre Me & My Friend
2000 Guelph Little Theatre Beau Jest
1999 Woodstock Little Theatre Orphans
1998 Borelians Community Theatre (Port Perry) Ten Lost Years
1997 Espanola Little Theatre A Woman Without A Name
1996 Elora Community Players Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
1995 Sarnia Little Theatre The Melville Boys
1994 Nepean Little Theatre Our Town
1993 Elmira Little Theatre Opening Night
1992 Woodstock Little Theatre Salt-Water Moon
1991 Guelph Little Theatre Doc
1990 The Tara Players of Ottawa Freedom Of The City
1989 Owen Sound Little Theatre Talley's Folly
1988 Borelians Community Theatre (Port Perry) Nobody Loves A Dragon
1987 Ontario Multicultural Theatre Association The Bear / The Proposal
1986 Sault Theatre Workshop Twelfth Night
1985 Woodstock Little Theatre Gwendoline
1984 Theatre Etobicoke The Taming Of The Shrew
1983 Galt Little Theatre Spring And Port Wine
1982 Owen Sound Little Theatre The Runner Stumbles
1981 Owen Sound Little Theatre Bethune
1980 Ontario Multicultural Theatre Association After Baba's Funeral
1979   (non-competitive festival)
1978 Sault Theatre Workshop Of Mice And Men
1977 Theatre Viola 2 (Windsor) White Nights
1976 Burlington Little Theatre Move Over, Mrs. Markham
1975 Espanola Little Theatre Under The Sycamore Tree
1974 Gateway Theatre Guild (North Bay) Leaving Home
1973 Guelph Little Theatre Conduct Unbecoming

Festival Awards
Festival Awards are presented in the following categories:

  • Outstanding Director
  • Outstanding Performance by a Male
  • Outstanding Performance by a Female
  • Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Supporting Role
  • Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role
  • Outstanding Visual Presentation
  • Outstanding Technical Achievement
  • Outstanding Coordinated Production
  • Special Adjudicator Awards (5)
  • additional awards as sponsored

The Perry Short Award
The Perry Short Award shall be given to a set designer of a production in Festival.  It entitles the recipient to a course of choice at Theatre Ontario's Summer Courses, and is generously donated by Janet Short of Sault Ste. Marie, in memory of her husband Perry who was active in community theatre across the province.

Awards of excellence for Theatre Ontario Festival 2007 in Newmarket.
Awards for Theatre Ontario Festival 2006 in Sarnia.
Awards for Theatre Ontario Festival 2005 in Belleville.
Awards for Theatre Ontario Festival 2004 in Sault Ste. Marie.
Awards for Theatre Ontario Festival 2003 in Oshawa.
Awards for Theatre Ontario Festival 2002 in Sarnia.
Awards for Theatre Ontario Festival 2001 in Peterborough.
Awards for Theatre Ontario Festival 2000 in Timmins.

Certificate of Recognition

Theatre Ontario Certificates of Recognition are awarded to an individual who has shown diligence, excellence of participation, and/or outstanding commitment to the drama / theatre community at his or her school.  The person receiving the certificate may have worked as a performer, technician, organizer of the drama club, or may simply have been of great support and encouragement to others, during or after school hours.  It may be given out at special events such as a Commencement, Recognition Assembly, or Annual Awards Assembly.

The Certificate of Recognition was established in 1986.  Students are nominated by their high school or teacher for the certificate.  The teacher or school must be a member of Theatre Ontario.  Over 50 awards are given each year.  There is no deadline for application, however you should allow four weeks for processing and delivery.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the application form.
No deadline for application.

Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in the Arts

The Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in the Arts is presented annually to an individual or a collective who has demonstrated leadership over a long career, and a passionate commitment to deepening the scope and broadening the appeal of the arts in Ontario through innovative and practical initiatives.

The award was established in 1998 by friends and colleagues of Sandra on her retirement as Executive Director of Theatre Ontario.  The award pays tribute to the outstanding contribution that Sandra Tulloch has made to the arts in Ontario.  For nearly twenty years, she played a pivotal role at Theatre Ontario, facilitating numerous visionary initiatives in the community, professional and educational theatre sectors.  As an arts administrator, producer, arts advocate, project leader and community activist, she has continued to devote an enormous amount of time and energy to the arts throughout the province.  The award is designed by artist Barry Burniston of North Bay, with bronze casting by Craig Meschino of Toronto.

Past recipients of the award are Tim Jones & Susan Serran, Angela Rebeiro, Jane Marsland, Myles Warren, Jini Stolk, Claire Hopkinson and Peter Honeywell.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the nomination criteria.
Call for nominations for the 2009 award: November 3, 2008.
Deadline for nominations: December 15, 2008.

Michael Spence Awards

The Michael Spence Awards are presented every five years, on the anniversaries of Theatre Ontario.  The awards are presented to individuals in the community and educational sectors for their contribution to theatre in their regions.  The award was established in 1997 and pays tribute to Michael Spence, the founding President of Theatre Ontario.

Past recipients of the awards are Rick Blair, B.J. Castleman, Betty Coates, Hélène Dallaire, Sue Daniel, David Dayler, David Glover, Harry Houston, Sharon Jubenville, Frank Luke, Lewis MacDonald, Katie Martin, Geoff Mason, Vince Mathewson, Joan McRae, Carol Oriold, Lillian Sievanen, Sharon Sproule, Hans Warmenhoven, Arlene Watson, Anne Wilson and Helen Zdriluk.

The recipients of the 2007 Michael Spence Awards are Gordon Davis, Mac Dodge, Teodoro Dragonieri, Gabe Ferrazzo, Val Hadley, Richard Howard, Maureen Lukie, Geoff & Carolee Mason, Beth McMaster, Beverly Rumble, and Ken Stephen.  Click here for a news release about the award.

Dean Ott and Debbie Boult Technical Theatre Award

The Dean Ott and Debbie Boult Technical Theatre Award is awarded to an individual with a serious interest in becoming a Technical Director in a professional theatre.  The candidate should have professional theatre experience or extensive experience in community or educational theatres.

To honour Toronto theatre professionals, the late Dean Ott and Debbie Boult, a special trust fund was created.  Annual contributions from the trust fund and other donations will pay the wages for the candidate to work on a project as Assistant Technical Director at a not-for-profit theatre in Ontario.

The recipient of the Dean Ott and Debbie Boult Technical Theatre Award will work for a minimum of six weeks on this specially created apprenticeship position, with mentoring by the theatre company's production manager and/or technical director.  Each year a different mentor and theatre in Ontario will be selected to host the winner of the Dean Ott and Debbie Boult Technical Theatre Award.  Applicants must be residents of Ontario.

Past recipients of the award are Ben Chaisson, Jason Hand, Alex Harmer, Craig Putt and Patrick Wood.

The recipient of the 2005 Dean Ott and Debbie Boult Technical Theatre Award was Ashlee Cowan.
Click here to download a PDF copy of the application criteria.
Call for nominations for the next award: TBA.

Victor C. Polley Award for Arts Administrators

The annual Victor C. Polley Award is given to an emerging Arts Administrator who has demonstrated outstanding ability in his or her field.  This award commemorates the commitment and achievements of the late Victor C. Polley, long-time administrator at the Stratford Festival and the St. Lawrence Centre.

Nominations are open to any person in any administrative position that involves responsibility for managing people or information, such as Publicist, Events Coordinator, Facilities Manager, General Manager or an assistant to a senior management position.  The nominee must be in the early stages of an administrative career (at least two years in the profession and probably no more than five years in the industry.)  The nominee must be resident in Ontario and currently employed by a performing arts organization.

Past recipients of the award include Ron Berti, Linda Brown, Beverley Brown-Sweeting, Christopher Bye, Elaine Calder, Laura J. Forth, Tamara Ivanochko, Lyndee Hansen, Sara Muerling, Erin O'Rourke, Taylor Raths, Heather Redick, Jennifer Ross, Victoria Steele, Sean Trofin, and Nancy Webster.

Call for nominations for the next award:  TBA.