It’s been a fantastic year for the Echuca-Moama Theatre Company, with two of its members being recognised for theatrical excellence.
Most recently, the group’s costumes for Into the Woods have been deemed among the best in non-professional music theatre productions across Victoria.
The nomination in the prestigious Music Theatre Guild of Victoria awards recognises the efforts of the costuming team, led by EMTC secretary Lesley Robins and supported by Jean Pedretti, Glenys Mahler, Tracy Stack and co-director Tamara Cadd.
Lesley, who was also nominated for Achievement in Wardrobe Design at the recent Georgy Awards, was humble but grateful for the recognition.
“It is an absolute honour to be nominated for a guild award, and it’s quite exciting, but I do want to stress that it was a team effort that has put us in that position, so credit should go to all members of the wardrobe team,” she said.
Lesley added that seeing the costumes in action was a highlight for the team.
“The best part was seeing all the cast in their costumes, in the woods, for program photos and the actual transformation of the witch on stage,” she said.
“I’m just so grateful to have worked with such an awesome team, and want to thank everyone involved for their dedication and creativity and what we were able to achieve.”
The winners of the prestigious awards will be announced at the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria awards ceremony on Saturday, December 14 in Gippsland.
Earlier on in the month, one of the group’s youngest members Luke Martin, 17, achieved glory at the 51st annual Georgy Awards.
The Georgy Awards recognises the best of northern Victoria’s theatrical talents for performing and in technical and off-stage areas.
Although he is local to Shepparton, he was named Emerging Young Artist of the year for his role as Jack in Into the Woods.
Luke said that his time with the EMTC was a huge highlight in his theatre career.
“The Echuca Moama Theatre Company is where I found a home this year,” he said.
“Performing with this amazing group of people in a show by my idol Stephen Sondheim has to be one of the highlights of my theatre experience thus far.”
Young Luke has previously worked with The Numurkah Singers Theatre Inc and also performed in The Drowsy Chaperone this year with Notre Dame College.