Awards and Achievements
Founded in 1995 by Artistic Director and Producer Anne Somes, Free-Rain Theatre Company has built a proud history of achievement in the Canberra performing arts community. Across a diverse repertoire of musicals, plays, cabaret, new Australian works, children’s theatre and youth productions, Free-Rain and its artists have received recognition across a range of theatre awards, celebrating excellence in performance, direction, design and production.
The Ovations Awards
2025
- Crystal Mahon, Neville Pye and Patrick Dixon: Outstanding Sound Design for Equus.
- Sam Thomson: Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, as Nugget/Horseman in Equus.
- Christina Falsone: Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play, as Maria in Lend Me a Tenor.
- Jack Shanahan: Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Drama, as Alan Strang in Equus.
- Chris Zuber: Outstanding Set Design for Sweet Charity.
- Vanessa Valois: Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical, as Nickie in Sweet Charity.
- Amy Campbell: Behind the Scenes Award, Theatre, for horses’ movement in Equus.
2024
- Kristy Griffin and Matthew Ovenell: Outstanding Set Design for The Boy from Oz.
- Zac Harvey: Outstanding Lighting Design for The Boy from Oz.
- Telia Jansen: Outstanding Sound Design for The Boy from Oz.
- Fiona Leach: Outstanding Costume Design for The Boy from Oz.
- Michael Sparks: Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play, Drama, as Charlie Aiken in August: Osage County.
- Amy Kowalczuk: Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Drama, as Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire.
- Meaghan Stewart: Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical, as Judy Garland in The Boy from Oz.
- Blake Wilkins: Outstanding Youth Supporting Performance in a Musical, as Michael Caffrey in Billy Elliot.
- Lachlan Elderton: Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, as Greg Connell in The Boy from Oz.
- Jared Newall: Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, as Peter Allen in The Boy from Oz.
- Mitchell Clement: Outstanding Youth Lead Performance in a Musical, as Billy Elliot in Billy Elliot.
- Callum Tolhurst-Close: Outstanding Musical Director for The Boy from Oz, in memory of Norma Robertson.
- James Tolhurst-Close and Kristy Griffin: Outstanding Choreographer for The Boy from Oz.
- The Boy from Oz: Outstanding Musical.
- Anne Somes: Encore! Award for Lifetime Achievement, in memory of Stephen Pike.
2023
- Steph Roberts: Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Drama, as Sonja and Sarah in Speaking in Tongues.
- Darcy Kinsella: Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical, as Patsy in Spamalot.
- Speaking in Tongues: Outstanding Production of a Play, Independent.
2022
- Josh Wiseman: Best Supporting Male Performance, as Nick in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.
- Mamma Mia!: Best Musical over $70,000.
Visit The Ovations Awards for the full list of nominations and winners.
Canberra Area Theatre (CAT) Awards
Between 1995 and 2023, Free-Rain Theatre Company received more than 70 awards across the ACT and NSW, including:
- 10 directing awards for Anne Somes.
- 8 play awards.
View the full list of CAT Awards associated with Free-Rain Theatre Company.
Canberra Critics Circle Awards
- 2025: Amy Orman for her outstanding performance as Charity Hope Valentine in Sweet Charity, capturing the character’s indomitable spirit and vulnerability.
- 2024: Billy Elliot – The Musical at The Q, recognised for its exuberant production of this demanding musical, set in times of turmoil.
- 2024: Amy Kowalczuk for her incisive, sensitive and powerful performance as Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire at ACT Hub.
- 2022: Andrea Close for her ferociously real performance as Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at ACT Hub.
- 2022: Stephanie Bailey for her beautifully sung and emotionally sensitive portrayal of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at The Q.
- 2021: Helen McFarlane for her exuberant portrayal of Tanya in Mamma Mia! at The Q, a role demanding mastery of triple-threat skills.
- 2018: 42nd Street at The Q, recognising Michelle Heine for choreography and Sophie Highmore for her lead performance.
- 2017: Wicked at the Canberra Theatre.
- 2013: The Phantom of the Opera at the Canberra Theatre.