The St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival is up for several accolades through the Prix Rideau Awards.
Festival officials announced that they’ve been nominated for seven production and performance awards for their performances of Cyrano and The Winter’s Tale.
The shows were staged in 2019, the last season of the festival before COVID-19 shut it down.
Artistic Director Richard Sheridan Willis says they’re delighted to have so many of their young artists earn nominations.
“I’m thrilled that our theatre artists are having this recognition,” Sheridan Willis said. “The season we do is really challenging, we’re performing outside in all weathers. The heat, the rain, no microphones, that all presents a physical and mental challenge.”
Cyrano was nominated for best production and Sheridan Willis got an Outstanding Male Performance nomination in the title role.
Also nominated in that category were Zach Council in Cyrano and Jesse Nerenberg in The Winter’s Tale.
Tamara Brown and Catherine Rainville were both nominated for Outstanding Female Performance for their work in The Winter’s Tale.
Meanwhile, Sophia Swettenham was selected in the Emerging Artist category.
Sheridan Willis says they wouldn’t be able to have such success without support from the community.
“At the end of the day, it’s a real boost for us,” he said. “I’m not just thrilled for us, I’m also thrilled for the community and all our festival supporters, from Prescott to around the world, who’ve kept faith with us through this past year.”
As for what’s ahead, Sheridan Willis says he’s optimistic about a potential 2021 season.
He adds that whenever theatre companies are given the green light to take the stage, they’ll be ready.
“I really do hope we can present something this summer,” Sheridan Willis said. “I just want to give that theatre experience back to our audience, our community, our supporters who backed us so brilliantly through this year. We just have to keep monitoring the situation and adapt as it changes.”
Normally, the awards would have been handed out in 2020 but they were postponed because of the pandemic.
They’ll be presented virtually April 25.
