It's the first Canberra/Combined Area Theatre Awards since 2019 due to the pandemic, with judges attending more than forty productions over the last two years, with regular categories put to one side temporarily.

"We couldn't pretend it's business as usual," said award founder Coralie Wood.

"It was very different to our usual awards night, but it was very much enjoyed by the audience in the theatre and watching online."

The awards were thought to have been wound up in 2020, but a grant from the NSW Government has allowed the organisation to continue honouring the arts world.

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During Sunday's event at Canberra's Repertory's Theatre 3, Wollongong production company So Popera was honoured with three "recognition of excellence": Peter Copeland for musical direction of Jersey Boys, actor Jayden Sierra as Franki Valli in Jersey Boys, and actor Kimmie Jonceski as Rizzo in Grease.

They also received a "commendation" for actor Jimmy Rizk "stepping in on the morning of the matinee to learn the role of Sonny and also play Doody in Grease".

"To receive this additional recognitional was a lovely surprise, we were extremely proud to get two successful productions on stage during COVID," said Amy Copeland from So Popera.

"Two of the four awards went to cast members who were in very unique situations during Grease: one learning the show only two weeks after a cast member fell ill and the other learning another cast member's solo the morning of a show after [they were] injured the evening before and unable to continue."

The accolades add to a long list handed out to the company over the years.

The next production for So Popera to hit the Wollongong stage will be the hit musical Chicago, at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre from March 29 to April 3.

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