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Portal Players wins BIG at Theatre BC’s North Island Zone Drama Festival with “Blackbird”

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Portal Players Dramatic Society performed our production of David Harrower’s “Blackbird” at Theatre BC’s North Island Zone regional drama festival on May 15 at The Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach, which was hosted by ECHO Players. At the awards ceremony on May 18, adjudicator Leon Potter presented our production with the following awards:

  • Best Production
  • Best Director – Robinson Wilson
  • Best Actor in a Female Role – Cydney Pedersen
  • Best Actor in a Supporting Male Role – Darien Edgeler
  • Best Performance by a Youth or Newcomer – Sara Curtis
  • Best Graphic Design – Robinson Wilson

The cast, crew and production team are beyond excited to be moving on to Theatre BC‘s Provincial Mainstage Drama Festival, which starts on July 6 and is being held this year in Fort St. John.

Portal Players is now fundraising for the big trip – please click below to help us reach our goal of $21,000 for this huge achievement – thank you SO much for your support.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE AND HELP SEND “BLACKBIRD” TO MAINSTAGE – THANK YOU!

Portal Players is so grateful to Nanaimo Theatre Group which hosted our three fundraising performances June 13-15 at the Bailey Studio Theatre in Nanaimo. Thank you to all who attended and to the NTG team for their generosity and graciousness.

Cast and crew of “Blackbird”. (Left to Right) Back Row: Robinson Wilson, director; Mary Ann McGrath, assistant stage manager; Drew Waveryn, stage manager; Pat Ribbins, props & costumes; Diena Tyne, lighting design; Darien Edgeler, “Ray/Peter”; Liane Fitzpatrick, producer. Seated: Ojas Cats, sound; Jane Victoria King, set design; Cydney Petersen, “Una”. Photo courtesy of ECHO Players.

This is the second time Portal Players has won the Best Production award, with “The Pillowman” advancing last year, taking the show to Chilliwack and sweeping the 2024 Mainstage awards.

Complete Theatre BC 2025 North Island Zone Festival Results:

  • Best Production: Portal Players – Blackbird
  • Runner Up to Best Production: Courtenay Little Theatre – Myth of the Ostrich
  • Best Director: Portal Players – Blackbird – Robinson Wilson
  • Best Actor in a Male Role: Nanaimo Theatre Group – The Woman in Black – Jon Faris
  • Best Actor in a Female Role: Portal Players – Blackbird – Cyndey Pedersen
  • Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Portal Players – Blackbird – Darien Edgeler
  • Best Actress in a Supporting Role: ECHO Players – The Revolutionists – Sarah Keilly
  • Best Set Design: Nanaimo Theatre Group – The Woman in Black – Joylon Brown
  • Best Costume Design: ECHO Players – The Revolutionists – Lorna McLellan and Carol Byrne
  • Best Lighting Design: Nanaimo Theatre Group – The Woman in Black – Edward Gueulette
  • Best Sound Design: ECHO Players – The Revolutionists – Jennifer Kelly
  • Best Ensemble Acting: Courtenay Little Theatre – Myth of the Ostrich
  • Best Performance by a Youth or Newcomer: Portal Players – Blackbird – Sara Curtis
  • Best Backstage Coordinator: Nanaimo Theatre Group – The Woman in Black
  • Best Graphics Design: Portal Players – Blackbird – Robinson Wilson
  • Donna Lamb Recipient: Gail Tisdale, ECHO Players

“The Pillowman” sweeps at Theatre BC’s 2024 Mainstage Festival

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Portal Players Dramatic Society’s Cast & Crew of “The Pillowman”

 

In their first-ever visit to Theatre BC’s Mainstage Festival, Portal Players Dramatic Society won the coveted title of “Best Production,” along with many other awards for their performance of “The Pillowman” by Martin McDonagh. In total, Portal Players returned home from Mainstage with seven different awards as presented by adjudicator Joan McLean at the Awards Ceremony, hosted by and at the Chilliwack Players Guild in Chilliwack on July 7, 2024. The full awards list is available here.

“We had the best night of the show ever on our Mainstage night, ” said director Nicole Foster. “We felt that we did well, but there were some other really strong contenders. We couldn’t have imagined we’d end up with seven awards. Catch up on all the news about our win at MainStage in this article from our friends at the Alberni Valley News.

  • Best Props:  Hannele Talkio
  • Best Sound Design: Carl Craig
  • Best Lighting Design: Diena Tyne
  • Best Supporting Actor in a Male Role: Scott Lemkay
  • Best Actor in a Male Role: Cydney Pedersen
  • Bill Elliot Best Director Award: Nicole Foster
  • Best Production: The Pillowman written by Martin McDonagh
Producer Liane Fitzpatrick and Director Nicole Foster with “The Pillowman” awards.

Together with those awards, a Special Merit Certificate for a “Great and Well Timed Puppet Show” was awarded to to Lennon Chase, Ojas Cats, Bella Paragallo, Aurayliah Clark, Teresa Drew and Hannele Talkio.

Portal Players is incredibly proud of this team’s hard work and dedication to the production, to all of our sponsors for their support, and of course to our audiences for coming out to see the shows. A new season of plays will be announced soon – see you At The Capitol!