After two years of hiatus because of Covid-19, we had the honour of hosting the 2022 Okanagan Zone Theatre Festival during the week of May 22 to May 28, 2022.

Our adjudicator, Nicolle Nattrass is an actress (CAEA / UBCP), playwright (Playwrights Guild of Canada) and a Director/Dramaturg. Nicolle has served as Deputy Chair for the Women’s Caucus (2008- 2012) as well as National Forum Rep for Vancouver and the Gulf Islands (2016-2019). She is a graduate from the University of Victoria (1991) with a BFA in Theatre, Acting Specialization.
Currently Nicolle is working on her new solo play, Suddenly 50, with Director/Dramaturge TJ Dawe as well as coaching actors/artists, through Tender-hearted Revolution Coaching.
"Be Kind. Those two words resonate with me deeply, not only because of the past 2 years but also as I reflect on my career in the Theatre. To be kind requires collaboration with others for a greater good, an openness and a tenderness, and it feels good to give and receive it. I am honored to be here to give and receive in adjudication and I want to thank you all for your kindness and warm hospitality."
Currently Nicolle is working on her new solo play, Suddenly 50, with Director/Dramaturge TJ Dawe as well as coaching actors/artists, through Tender-hearted Revolution Coaching.
"Be Kind. Those two words resonate with me deeply, not only because of the past 2 years but also as I reflect on my career in the Theatre. To be kind requires collaboration with others for a greater good, an openness and a tenderness, and it feels good to give and receive it. I am honored to be here to give and receive in adjudication and I want to thank you all for your kindness and warm hospitality."
Festival Awards were presented as follows (photo gallery follows the list):
DESIGNATED AWARDS -
ADDITIONAL AWARDS -
DESIGNATED AWARDS -
- Ozzie Award for long-time service and contribution to the Okanagan Zone (sponsor: TBC Okanagan Zone) - Richard Kerton
- Best Backstage Cooperation (sponsor: Summerland Singers and Players) - Cast & Crew of Above and Beyond (Crimson Tine Theatre)
- Best Youth or Newcomer (sponsor: Sherry Moir) - Payton Barth, for her role as Rummage in Above and Beyond (Crimson Tine Theatre)
- Best Sound Design (sponsor: Barbara Keith) - Jordan Donatelli, for Ben Hur (Powerhouse Theatre)
- Best Lighting Design & Technical Direction (sponsor: Mo Ruscheinsky, Sutton Group, Lake front Realty) - Rusty Gahr and Josiah Olson, for Ben Hur (Powerhouse Theatre)
- Best Costume Design (sponsor: Authentic Plaques & Trophies) - Sue Blakely, for Ben Hur (Powerhouse Theatre)
- Best Ensemble (sponsor: Norah Ferguson) - Cast of Wit (Theatre Kelowna)
- Best Set Décor & Medical Director (sponsor: Powerhouse Theatrical Society) - Noelle Jefferys for Wit (Theatre Kelowna)
- Best Props (sponsor: Theatre Kelowna Society) - Cara Nunn, for Ben Hur (Powerhouse Theatre)
- Best Set Design (sponsor: Theatre Kelowna Society) - Eugene Leveque for Ben Hur (Powerhouse Theatre)
- Actor: Best Performance in a Supporting Male Role (sponsor: Shuswap Theatre Society) - Cliff Lattery, in Ben Hur (Powerhouse Theatre)
- Actor: Best Performance in a Leading Male Role (sponsor: South Okanagan Amateur Players) - James Long, in Wit (Theatre Kelowna)
- Actor: Best Performance in a Supporting Female Role (sponsor: Greg Heuman) - Ali Balloun, in Ben Hur (Powerhouse Theatre)
- Actor: Best Performance in a Leading Female Role (sponsor: Monty Hughes) - Janet Anderson, in Wit (Theatre Kelowna)
- Best Director (sponsor: Debby Helf) - Norene Morrow, for Wit (Theatre Kelowna)
- Best Runner-Up Production (sponsor: Wayside) - Ben Hur (Powerhouse Theatre)
- Best Production (sponsor: TBC Okanagan Zone) - Wit (Theatre Kelowna)
ADDITIONAL AWARDS -
- Community Spirit Award (engaged the community and creatively had a positive impact) - When the Wind Blows (Cast & Crew of SOAP Theatre)
- Honourable Mention for Lighting/Video Designer & Operator - Tom Szalay, for When the Wind Blows (SOAP Theatre)
- Best Youth Theatre Engagement Award - Above and Beyond (Crimson Tine Theatre)
- Best Newcomer to Sound Design - Marcus Delaney, for The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble (Shuswap Theatre)
- Best Video/ Graphic Media Design - Heath Fletcher, for Ben Hur (Powerhouse Theatre)
- Outstanding Achievement for Stage Management - Kristine Larsen & her stage management team for Ben Hur (Powerhouse Theatre)
- Outstanding Achievement for Creation of Masks & Set for New Play - Cara Nunn, for Gift from the Sea (Powerhouse Theatre)
- Honourable Mention, Best Female Role - Meaghan Delaney, in The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble (Shuswap Theatre)
- Artistic Achievement in sensitive portrayal of a character living with Alzheimer's - Jean Brighouse, in The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble (Shuswap Theatre)
- Artistic Achievement in sensitive portrayal of a health care nurse - Laura Benty, in Wit (Theatre Kelowna)
Synopsis of the Festival Plays
When the Wind Blows, by Raymond Briggs: Jim and Hilda Bloggs are English retirees, living in a country cottage during the height of the Cold War. War with Russia seems imminent, and Jim starts taking precautions against a nuclear attack. Nostalgic about World War II, Jim and Hilda staunchly believe that everything will be okay, even if nuclear weapons are involved. But will it? This powerful, poignant play mixes nonchalance and English laugh-in-the-face-of-danger humour with some incredibly shocking reminders of the effects of nuclear war – funny, terrifying, and emotional all at the same time. We see flashes of Jim and Hilda's history, the life they had, the simplicity and innocence of their existence and how this is shattered. (Full details here)
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Raymond Briggs was born 1934 in Wimbledon, London. He went to Rutlish School for Boys and enjoyed producing cartoons. From 1949 to 1953 Briggs attended Wimbledon School of Art. He completed two years of National Service in Catterick in the Royal Corps of Signals. Briggs became an illustrator, adding images to children’s books. When the Wind Blows, released in 1982, is a powerful graphic novel about a couple dealing with the reality of nuclear war. It was later made into an animated feature film and a stage play, caused a sensation in England for its depiction of a nuclear attack. |