The Trish Sweeney Youth Encouragement Award is an award for youth within MMuDS. Trish Sweeney was a very active and inspiring member of MMuDS who we want to remember through our young people and this Award in her name. Each year the MMuDS Committee examines a number of prospects for this Award and the criteria for winning is based on a 'best and fairest' approach. The names of the recipients are instated on an Honour Board installed permanently in the foyer of the Mansfield Performing Arts Centre.
Recipients 1999 - Hope Briggs 2000 - Christopher Robson 2001 - Courtney Smith 2001 - Jacob Bolwell 2002 - Erin Padbury 2002 - Simone Gibney 2003 - Daniel Meadows 2004 - No award given 2005 - No award given 2006 - Saskia Teunissen 2006 - Chris Lewis 2007 - Owen Holland 2008 - Aaron Gleeson 2009 - Nathaniel Parsons 2010 - Hamish Huxtable 2011- Annaliese Lawry 2012 - Shannon Arndt 2013 - Brook Saville 2014 - Bella MacMunn, Jarrah Pitt 2015 - No award given 2016 - Josh Jenkins, Tristan Stevenson 2017 - Lachlan Barrett, Orvokki Britton 2018 - Shannen Andrews 2019 - Rose Hanratty, Cecelia Walker, Tim Morgan, Charli Cooper
Trish Sweeny Award 2019. MMuDS was very excited to have four worthy recipients of the Trish Sweeney Youth Encouragement Award for 2019. Chosen from two productions over the year and from previous years commitments, each person has shown exceptional skills, commitment and improvements. Recipients pictured with President, Michael Isbister, at the 2019 Annual General Meeting. Rose Hanratty has gained the respect of everyone during her involvement with Seussical. Her singing skills and ability to read music made her the obvious choice to understudy many of the roles during the production. At a moments notice she could be called upon to ‘fill in’ for a lead who wasn’t able to be at rehearsals. It was our luck to have someone so able, willing and talented when a principal performer become unavailable during the actual show and for 3 performancesRose calmly stepped in took on the role with a level of professionalism beyond her 16 years.
Cecelia Walker assisted choreographer, Lyn Saville, over 16 weeks of rehearsals. She helped cast members individually and in groups to fine tune movement sequences. At times she understudied roles within the show and stepped up to perform on stage when necessary. Her contribution to Seussical and her mature attitude was a role model to other members in the production. Cecelia took on roles, was part of the makeup crew and helped the Director with many other tasks.
Charli Cooper worked with choreographer, Lyn Saville and Cecelia Walker on movement sequences for Seussical. Charli was cast in the ensemble and had multiple roles with the pressure of fast costume changes and the management of younger children in the cast. During the production, due to a resignation, she took on the extra work of a supporting role. What was impressive was the interpretation she brought to that role, resulting in an exciting new perspective to the show.
Tim Morgan worked over two productions this year, Blackadder Goes Forth and Sensical. For Blackadder he worked in the Front of House. This area of a production is very important to MMuDS, meeting and greeting audience members sets the mood for them to enjoy the show. He jumped at helping with the theatre lights for Seussical, learning the set up and took on the role of ‘follow-spot’ operator. This is one of the most difficult things to do in a show. It’s a hot machine and you must keep totally focussed on the action and work with the lighting operator. He has excelled in each role that he has taken on.
Trish Sweeney Award 2018 The Trish Sweeney Youth Encouragement Award for 2018 is awarded to Shannen Andrews. Shannen has been part of the MMuDS community for a number of years, working backstage, often part of the ‘front of house’ team and contributing significantly on stage. More recently she joined the MMuDS Committee and has been a strong contributor. When the opportunity came up to run ‘The Actor Factory’, Shannen eagerly took on the challenge. After spending 10 days at the Victorian Youth Drama League workshops and attending a performing arts course in New York, she brought all she had learnt and shared it with the 16 participants of The Actor Factory. Shannen is a worthy recipient of the Trish Sweeney Youth Encouragement Award as she embodies all that it represents. Pictured: Shannen Andrews with Chris Walpole who presented the award.
Trish Sweeney Youth Encouragement Award recipients. Lachlan Barrett and Orvokki Britton with Chris Walpole at the 2017 MMuDS AGM.
Lachlan Barrett Lachlan has delighted us on stage in both MMuDS productions of Lyfe of Bryan and Jekyll & Hyde. Behind the scenes Lachlan is an incredibly enthusiastic, energetic and passionate actor. His dedication and commitment are inspiring. He does not fail to put a smile on the face of all on stage with him. He is constantly thinking, analysing and committing to memory every direction, line and song. Lachlan hopes to make acting a career, and we at MMuDS would love nothing more than to see him on the big stage! Orvokki Britton Orvokki bounced onto the stage as ‘Chip’ the teacup in our 2016 production of Beauty & the Beast and it was hard to believe she was only 11 years old. She performed like a veteran on and off stage, helping others and creating an organised environment for herself and fellow cast members. She hardly took a breath when she took on one of the young leads in Lyfe of Bryan in 2017. It is obvious that Orvokki works hard at her roles, takes on responsibilities and is a strong contributor to MMuDS productions and well deserving of the Trish Sweeney Youth Encouragement Award
Sweeney - Youth Encouragement Award recipients, Josh Jenkins and Tristan Stevenson with Chris Walpole at the 2016 MMuDS AGM. Josh Jenkins 2106 Outstanding contribution and commitment to back stage in MMuDS’ production of Beauty and the Beast. Tristan Stevenson 2016 Outstanding caring and supportive contribution both on stage and back stage to MMuDS’ 2016 productions and past productions.
Trish Sweeney - Youth Encouragement Award recipient, Bella MacMunn with 2014 President, Michele Padbury at the MMuDS AGM.
Bella MacMunn 2014 Bella MacMunn performed exceptionally well in her cast role in Sound of Music, but in addition she was able to understand a broader picture than her stage part. She took on greater responsibilities and helped others to achieve their goals. Most importantly she did this in a complementary way. Being able to see what gaps needed to be filled, solving problems and all the time cheerful and respectful. Bella is also a keen contributor within the Actor Factory and able to listen and take on any number of tasks with confidence and the ability to work with others. This to our way of thinking shows leadership and worthy of recognition.
Jarrah Pitt 2014 Jarrah Pitt was the technical engineer for A Month of Sundays. This is a role not usually taken on by a young person, but Jarrah is currently doing a course on Theatre Management and has a passion and leaning to work in this field. His ability to work independently and almost single handedly taking on the technical side of a full play is no mean feat for anyone. So MMuDS recognizes his skill, ability to work under pressure and thank him for the many hours spent contributing to the success of this play. It is with great respect that we award him the Trish Sweeney Award along with Bella Macmunn for 2014 and their names will now be included on the Honour Board permanently installed in the foyer of the PAC along with deserving previous recipients.