Celebrating Young
Theatre Talent

In Vancouver’s lively arts scene, young talents are at the forefront of shaping theatre’s future. From professional productions to school shows to after-school musical theatre programs, these passionate actors breathe life into stories on stage. Recognizing their dedication not only celebrates their achievements but also nurtures a thriving community of emerging talent, inspiring new storytellers and enriching Vancouver’s theatrical landscape.

The Canada Young Theatre Awards proudly honor and support these aspiring actors and their educators, amplifying their voices within Canadian theatre.

Act 1


“Anything Can Happen” from Mary Poppins

Land Acknowledgement

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Professional Production 9-11

Outstanding Lead Performance in a School/Program Production 9-11

“Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Professional Production 9-11

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a School/Program Production 9-11

“I’d Do Anything ” from Oliver!

Outstanding Lead Performance 12-14

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Professional Production 12-14

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a School/Program Production 12-14

“Hero is My Middle Name” from SpongeBob SquarePants

Outstanding Ensemble Member 9-11, 12-14

Special Guest Miranda MacDougall

Outstanding Lead Performance 15-17

“Go With the Flow” from Finding Nemo Jr.

Intermission

Act 2


Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Professional Production 15-17

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a School/Program Production 15-17

“I’d Rather Be Me” from Mean Girls

Outstanding Lead Performance 18-24

Outstanding Supporting Performance 18-24

Outstanding Ensemble Member 15-17, 18-24

Spirit of Theatre

“Part of Your World” Reprise from The Little Mermaid

Outstanding Mentor

Outstanding Achievement

Special Guest Madeleine Suddaby

Outstanding Youth Leadership

2025 Honour Roll of Youth Professionals in Theatre

Outstanding Program Production

”Food, Glorious Food” from Oliver!

Outstanding Creative Team in a School/Program Production

Outstanding School Production

Special Guest Jonathan Gagne and Kyrst Hogan

Individual Nominees

  • 1) Hannah Durnin (Michael Banks Understudy), Mary Poppins – Theatre in the Country
    2) Sora Miyamoto (Ensemble), The Grunch – CTORA Academy

  • 1) Darren W. Hales, Production Designer – Lord Byng Theatre
    2) Katy Finlay, Artistic Director – Vancouver Performing Stars
    3) Nicholas GedeLange, Director/Choreographer – CTORA Academy
    4) Cassandra Reader-Romo, Teacher/Choreographer – Smash Theatre School

  • 1) Ashley Chung
    2) Mela Pietropaolo
    3) Elena Banares

  • 1) Thomas Schultes, Artistic Director – Sherwood Theatre
    2) Cassandra Reader-Romo, Director – Smash Theatre School
    3) Jilian Tolzmann, Apprentice Director – YAGA Touchstone Theatre & Gateway Theatre
    4) Taylor McKee, Musical Director – Sherwood Theatre

  • Ages 9-11, Professional Production
    1) Grayson Besworth (Charlie), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – CTORA Theatre
    2) Roan Osenton-Boutin (Michael Banks), Mary Poppins – Royal City Musical Theatre
    3) Quinlan Mcdonald (Charlie), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – CTORA Theatre
    4) Samantha Alarcon de Pando (Michael Banks), Mary Poppins – Theatre in the Country

    Ages 9-11, School/Program Production
    1) Henry Sudds (Nemo), Finding Nemo Jr. – Delta Youth Theatre
    2) Avery Chan (Nemo), Finding Nemo Jr. – CTORA Academy
    3) Leanne Uy (Stanley Lambchop), Flat Stanley Jr. – Lindbjerg Academy of Performing Arts
    4) Natalia Ferreira Santana (Oliver Twist), Oliver Jr. – Delta Youth Theatre
    5) Lunar Tan (Grunch), The Grunch – CTORA Academy

    Ages 12-14
    1) Rickie Wang (Oliver Twist), Oliver! – Gateway Theatre
    2) Siggi Kaldestad (Susan Walker), Miracle on the 34th Street – Arts Club Theatre Company
    3) Abbygail Sandler (Cady Heron), Mean Girls Jr. – CTORA Academy
    4) Hunter Wilson (Joseph), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Smash Theatre School

    Ages 15-17
    1) Mara J. Dawkins (Dory), Finding Nemo Jr. – Delta Youth Theatre
    2) Maisee Meneer (Donna Sheridan), Mamma Mia – Lord Byng Theatre
    3) Ema Mlinar (Sophie Sheridan), Mamma Mia – Lord Byng Theatre
    4) Dani Lambert (Nancy), Oliver Jr. – Delta Youth Theatre
    5) Ruby Cameron (Leah), DNA by Dennis Kelly – Carson Graham Drama
    6) Aoife Redmond (Cady Heron), Mean Girls Jr. – Kay Meek Arts Centre
    7) Helena Ayas (Sandra Bloom), Big Fish – Saints Players Theatre Company

    1) Lucas Gregory (Dmitry), Anastasia – Theatre in the Country
    2) Nathan Dai (Johnny Cade), The Outsiders – Saints Players Theatre Company
    3) Atlas Dombowsky (Viola/Cesario), Twelfth Night – Bard on the Beach
    4) Joshua Robert Crummey Severyn (Marlin), Finding Nemo Jr. – Delta Youth Theatre

    Ages 18-24
    1) Veronica Phinney (Veronica Sawyer), Heathers The Musical – Sherwood Theatre
    2) Brett Williams (SpongeBob), The SpongeBob Musical – CapU Theatre
    3) James Ross (J.D.), Heathers The Musical – Sherwood Theatre
    4) Lucy Jeffery (Jack), Into the Woods – Studio 58
    5) Sarah Houghton (Anya), Anastasia – Theatre in the Country
    6) Ashley Van Nes (The Narrator), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Smash Theatre School

  • Ages 9-11, Professional Production
    1) Nora Grace Harriet Cowan (Tiny Tim), Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol – The Arts Club Theatre Company
    2) Elena Banares (Tiny Tim), Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol – The Arts Club Theatre Company
    3) Elena Banares (Chip), Beauty and the Beast – Align Entertainment
    4) Charlie Emma Lynn (Jane Banks), Mary Poppins – Royal City Musical Theatre
    5) Grayson Besworth (Billy), School of Rock – Theatre Under the Stars
    6) Denzel Onaba (Mortimer/Tommy), Miracle on the 34th Street – The Arts Club Theatre Company

    Ages 9-11, School/Program Production
    1) Henry Sudds (The Artful Dodger), Oliver Jr. – Delta Youth Theatre
    2) Elleshia Garland (Jamie), The Grunch – CTORA Academy
    3) Charles Wang (Harper), The Grunch – CTORA Academy
    4) Victoria Wang (Gurgle), Finding Nemo Jr. – CTORA Academy

    Ages 12-14, Professional Production
    1) Addyson Handregan (Jane Banks), Mary Poppins – Royal City Musical Theatre
    2) Crosby Mark (Zach), School of Rock – Theatre Under the Stars
    3) Sebastian Morris (Mason), School of Rock – Theatre Under the Stars

    Ages 12-14, School/Program Production
    1) Kalayna Kozak (Sebastian), Little Mermaid – Kay Meek Jr Conservatory
    2) Jacob Wolak (Sour Kangaroo), Seussical the Musical – VTT Centre Stage
    3) Angelina Maria Perizzolo (Martha Dunnstruck), Heathers – Whistler Secondary School Theatre
    4) Isabella Zang (Regina George), Mean Girls Jr.– CTORA Academy
    5) Bella Suk (Cherry Valance), The Outsiders – Saints Players Theatre Company

    Ages 15-17, Professional Production
    1) Lucas Gregory (Artful Dodger), Oliver! – Gateway Theatre
    2) Joshua Robert Crummey Severyn (Augustus Gloop), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – CTORA Theatre
    3) Ash Faith Nardi (Violet Beauregarde), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – CTORA Theatre
    4) Thailey Roberge (Summer Hathaway), School of Rock – Theatre Under the Stars

    Ages 15-17, School/Program Production
    1) Lakshmi Karishma Joy Robertson (Bill Austin), Mamma Mia – Lord Byng Theatre
    2) Chris Xie (Aaron), Mean Girls Jr. – CTORA Academy
    3) Emily Harland (Nancy), Oliver! Jr. – Delta Youth Theatre
    4) Benjie Baker (Will Bloom), Big Fish – Saints Players Theatre Company
    5) Emma Dupuis (Bet), Oliver! Jr. – Delta Youth Theatre

    Ages 18-24
    1) Lauren Gibbs (Patrick), The SpongeBob Musical – CapU Theatre
    2) Owen Connolly (Ram), Heathers the Musical – Sherwood Theatre
    3) Eric Timuss (Kurt), Heathers the Musical – Sherwood Theatre
    4) Matthew Valinho (Lumiere), Beauty and the Beast – Align Entertainment
    5) Eleanore Smith (Martha Dunnstock), Heathers the Musical– Sherwood Theatre

  • Ages 9-11, 12-14
    1) Grayson Besworth (Ensemble, Member of Fagin's Gang, Charlie Bates Understudy), Oliver! – Gateway Theatre
    2) Julianna Alarcon de Pando (Fan, Villager, Skeleton), Rapunzel The Panto – Fraser Valley Musical Theatre
    3) Mela Pietropaolo (Captain, Ensemble, Fagin's Gang/Orphan Oliver understudy), Oliver! – Gateway Theatre
    4) Clara Anne Aislinn Cowan (Teen Fiona and Ensemble Roles), Shrek The Musical Jr. – Vancouver Performing Stars
    5) Abbygail Sandler (Ensemble, Oompa Loompa, Vidiot, Violet Understudy, Veruca Understudy, Grandma Josephine Understudy, Grandma Georgina Understudy), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – CTORA Theatre

    Ages 15-17, 18-24
    1) Nat Wilson (Ensemble), Mamma Mia – Lord Byng Theatre
    2) Owen CB Scott (Ensemble), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – CTORA Theatre
    3) Isaac Aaron Johnson (Bustopher Jone), Cats – Theatre Under the Stars
    4) Jessica Kelly (Snake/Mrs. Green/Mrs. Turner), School of Rock – Theatre Under the Stars

Group Nominees

  • 1) The Great Bloom by Sydney Marino, Erica Petty & Sydney Marino – Story Theatre
    2) Finding Nemo Jr., Tony Barton & Tracy Neff – Delta Youth Theatre
    3) Oliver Jr., Tony Barton & Tracy Neff – Delta Youth Theatre
    4) Into the Woods, Eliza De Castro/Katy Finlay – Vancouver Performing Stars
    5) Shrek Jr., Eliza De Castro/Katy Finlay – Vancouver Performing Stars
    6) Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sheila Reader-Romo – Smash Theatre School

  • 1) Mean Girls: the Musical, Sarah Bernstein – Mulgrave School
    2) Mamma Mia, Matthew Thiessen – Lord Byng Theatre
    3) Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, Mike Waterman – Magee Mainstage (Magee Secondary)
    4) Big Fish, Luke Fredeman – Saints Players' Theatre Company at St. George's School
    5) Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, Cara Tench – Stratford Hall School

  • 1) Mean Girls: the Musical, Sarah Bernstein – Mulgrave School
    2) Finding Nemo Jr., Tony Barton & Tracy Neff – Delta Youth Theatre
    3) Mamma Mia, Matthew Thiessen – Lord Byng Theatre
    4) Into the Woods, Eliza De Castro/Katy Finlay – Vancouver Performing Stars
    5) Big Fish, Luke Fredeman – Saints Players' Theatre Company at St. George's School
    6) Hair: The American Tribal LoveRock Musical, Mike Waterman, Magee Mainstage (Magee Secondary)
    7) Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sheila Reader – Smash Theatre School

Honour Roll

2025 Honour Roll of Youth Professionals in Theatre

Grayson Besworth
Rickie Wang
Owen CB Scott
Lucas Gregory
Eric Timuss

Meet the Judges

Cathy Wilmot
Chris Adams
Karyn Way
Ken Overbey
Pamela Wise
Sanders Whiting
Sue Hunt