This year's Shakespeare Globe Centre Australia awards were announced last Saturday at the conclusion of No Holds Bard, devised and performed by 30 secondary school finalists from across Australia including 3 Canberrans: Tessa Keenan, Leah Kimball and Sarah La Brooy.
Led by Hugh O'Keefe, Sydney University director of the Shakespeare Globe Centre's National Education Program, a team of theatre professionals and teachers worked with the students for 6 days at Theatre 3, providing their services voluntarily to an organisation which receives no government funding and little sponsorship, relying mainly on entry fees from participating schools. This year some 15,000 students took part in the regional and state festivals leading to the selection of the 30 finalists.
The Abbey's Bookshop Awards for Shakespeare Expertise, presented by Sydney choreographer Jonathan Rosten and 1997 Shakespearean Teacher of the Year Wendy Dowd, went to Ben Harrison (Sydney), Kallista Kaval (Ballarat), Morgan Tucker (Armidale, NSW) and Anthony Ulijn (Perth).
Deidre Burges (Marian Street Theatre, Sydney) presented the Roger Barratt Award for Design to Julia McNamee (Upwey, Vic).
The Roger Woodward Award for Music, presented by musical director Peter Pitcher, was given jointly for excellent composition and teamwork to Tessa Keenan (Canberra), Liz Gunner and Bridget Gurry (both of Adelaide).
The major awards, enabling a teacher and a student to travel to the Shakespeare Globe Centre in London and to undertake further training and professional development, were presented by Catherine Dunn, 1998 Shakespeare Teacher of the Year, and the founder of Shakespeare Globe Centre Australia, Diana Denley.
Shakespearean Teacher of the Year is Deborah Field Farago of MLC, Melbourne, and Young Shakespearean Artist of the Year is Gordon Hamilton of Newcastle, NSW, who was chosen unanimously for "exceptional talent in composing songs and instrumental pieces" and "his ability to coach and enthuse his fellow performers". This award is given to the student seen to be most ready for the transition from school theatre to the adult experience offered in a two week intensive program next northern summer at the Shakespeare Globe in London for young people from around the world.
©Frank McKone, Canberra
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