Award categories

The ITA awards a number of perpetual trophies which are retained by the winning club and returned each year to be presented to the next winner.

The Robert Finley Award for Best Play

First awarded in 1975 the Kalamunda Dramatic Society for their production of Barefoot In The Park, this award can be made annually to what is judged to have been the best amateur play produced during the year.

In 1986 Hetty Finley founded a trust to create annual amateur theatre awards, as well as donating the Robert Finley Perpetual Amateur Theatre Award Silver Trophy, with the aim to promote interest in theatre.

The Robert Finley Award for Best Musical

First awarded in 1987 to Stirling Players for their production of Applause, this award can be made annually to what is judged to have been the best Amateur Musical produced during the year.

It should be noted that musical productions had actually won The Robert Finley Award For Best Play in previous years (1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986) but after a 4 year streak of wins it was decided that another category was required for the award.

Adjudicators Certificates

Adjudicators award certificates to recognise excellence that doesn’t fit into a standard award category. These are awarded at the discretion of the adjudicators and celebrate the breadth and depth of Western Australia’s community theatre scene.

Award categories

Best Director (Play) - Susan Hayward Award

Best Actor (Play)

Best Actress (Play) 

Best Supporting Actor (Play) 

Best Supporting Actress (Play) 

Best Set (Play) - The David Crewes Award

Best Costumes (Play) - The Brenda Stanley Award

Best Director (Musical) - Mary Webb Award

Best Actor (Musical)

Best Actress (Musical)

Best Supporting Actor (Musical)

Best Supporting Actress (Musical)

Best Choreographer

Best Musical Director

Best Set (Musical) – The Kevan Hook Award

Best Costumes (Musical) – The Terry Mcauley Award

The Yvonne Lynch Breakthrough Award 

Youth Production – The Ailsa Travers Award

The Brian Maddocks Award For Youth In A Play

The Veronica Overton-Low Award For Youth In A Musical

Hywell Williams Award For Technical Achievement

The Elizabeth Crewes Front Of House Award

Shiela Buchanen Achievement Award

Yvonne Hough Nielsen Award

Terri Hackett Award For Best Play Ensemble

Pauline Lawrence Award For Best Lighting

Best Play

Runner-Up Play

Third-Placed Play

Top 10 Plays

Best Musical

Runner-Up Musical

Third-Placed Musical

Top Five Musicals

Male and Female Leads

Generally, leading roles are those that the adjudicators consider "whose story is being told." Roles with the most lines, or roles with the most time on stage, are not necessarily leading roles and may not be considered as such by adjudicators. Actors who identify as non-binary will be considered in the gendered category of their choice. This may be influenced by the gender of the role. This may be subject to change at the performer’s discretion at any time. Member Clubs are encouraged to provide this information in the ‘Finely Specifics’ form to be filled out close to the show opening.

Male and female supports

Generally, supporting roles are those that are not leads but which are included in telling the story. Actors who identify as non-binary will be considered in the gendered category of their choice. This may be influenced by the gender of the role. This may be subject to change at the performer’s discretion at any time. Member Clubs are encouraged to provide this information in the ‘Finely Specifics’ form to be filled out close to the show opening.

Technical Aspects

Adjudicators will automatically adjudicate the direction and all technical aspects of each production whether credit is specifically given in the program or not. The technical aspects include set, lighting, sound and costume design. The exception to this rule is where a theatre has indicated that a given design was not done by them and is therefore ineligible. For example, if the sets were purchased or rented and no design for them was provided by the theatre, they would be considered ineligible.

Special Awards

Special Awards are chosen and presented by the ITA Committee. These are:

ITA Life Member: 

Honours an individual, either for the current year, or for accumulated dedication to the ITA. Eligible recipients will have shown a sustained and significant contribution to the ITA, have demonstrated respect for all individuals involved in community theatre and demonstrate a commitment to the ongoing development of the ITA.

ITA Hall of Fame: 

Honours an individual, either for the current year, or for accumulated dedication or achievement in community theatre. Eligible recipients will have shown a sustained and significant contribution to theatre in Western Australia, have demonstrated respect for all individuals involved in community theatre and demonstrate a commitment to the ongoing development of community theatre. Potential award recipients may be nominated by consensus of a member club at an ordinary committee meeting to consideration by the ITA

The Norma Davis Award: 

Awarded for service above and beyond that described in the ITA Life Member Category.

The ITA Presidents Cup: 

Awarded to a club that has either received the: 

• Best Play

• Best Musical

• Best Play: Dramafest

• Best Play: Junior and Senior at Youthfest

Or, received the award for:

• Best Play

• Best Musical

• Dramafest: Best Play or

• Best Play: Junior

or

Any of the above awards ten (10) times across multiple award seasons.

Member Clubs are responsible for advising the ITA Committee of their eligibility for this award.

These awards may not be given in any year.