Illawarra performers gained plenty of applause after taking out a dozen awards at the prestigious CAT awards on Saturday.
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Wollongong's So Opera tied with a Canberra company for most winners in the open category with an impressive tally of six awards - five for its production of the musical A Chorus Line.
Its production of The Little Mermaid also won the John Thomson Magic Moment of Theatre award for the underwater swimming scenes.
After 18 years, it was Southern Stars' time to shine, with its 2018 Iconic production taking out four awards at the Canberra ceremony.
It was awarded best production of a variety show, best variety performance by an individual or ensemble, best musical direction for a school or youth production and best youth orchestra.
Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts also took home two awards - best set for a musical, variety or dance production and best lighting - for its Into the Woods production.
The CAT (Canberra Area Theatre) Awards have been celebrating non-professional theatre, dance and musical groups since 1994.
Southern Stars Iconic executive producer, and Corrimal High School principal, Paul Roger said the awards were recognition for the hard work of the 3000 public school students, 200 staff, loyal sponsors and the many volunteers.
"These awards are an industry acknowledgment of the talent and effort our performers, the management team, and all the dedicated staff who work backstage to produce a world class arena variety show, he said.
"The judges gave Southern Stars Iconic high praise for the depth and breadth of musical items, the variety of performances, and the sheer scale of production."
Mr Roger said special mention was made of the production's inclusivity of students in the signing choir, and disABILITY items.
"We are so proud of Ruby Hawken, the backing vocalists, and the Peterborough Signing Choir who were awarded the best variety performance by an individual or ensemble," he said.
Southern Stars' musical director for the past decade, Peter Copeland - also a performer since the first show in 2001 - was also singled out with an award.
Meanwhile the show must go on - with organisers already working hard on this year's show, with auditions starting today.
Illawarra CAT Awards 2018 Winners
- BEST SET FOR A MUSICAL, VARIETY OR DANCE PRODUCTION
Adam Loughlin, Janet Cunningham and Mark Dixon
Into The Woods, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts
- BEST LIGHTING
Adam Loughlin
Into The Woods, Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts
- JOHN THOMSON MAGIC MOMENT OF THEATRE
So Popera Productions, Wollongong
Underwater swimming scenes in The Little Mermaid
- BEST YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Southern Stars Performing Company Orchestra
Southern Stars: Iconic, NSW Department of Education
- BEST ORCHESTRA
A Chorus Line
So Popera Productions, Wollongong
- BEST VARIETY PERFORMANCE BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR ENSEMBLE
Ruby Hawken with Backing Vocalists and the Featured Vocal Ensemble
‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, Southern Stars: Iconic, NSW Department of Education
- BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Teegan McKeen
A Chorus Line, So Popera Productions, Wollongong
- BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION FOR A SCHOOL OR YOUTH PRODUCTION
Peter Copeland
Southern Stars: Iconic, NSW Department of Education
- BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION
Peter Copeland
A Chorus Line, So Popera Productions, Wollongong
- BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL OR VARIETY SHOW
Amy Copeland
A Chorus Line, So Popera Productions, Wollongong
- BEST PRODUCTION OF A VARIETY SHOW
Southern Stars: Iconic
NSW Department of Education
- BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
A Chorus Line
So Popera Productions, Wollongong