The awards recognised and celebrated the best live amateur theatre throughout the region during 2017.
More than 300 actors, actresses, musicians, directors and techies from theatrical societies within the Dunedin, North Otago, East Otago, West Otago, Central Otago and Southland regions travelled to Tapanui to support their respective productions and nominees.
Ostas convener Helen Horsnell said the number of shows taking part increased every year, and in 2017 there were 11 productions and 105 people nominated for the 19 award categories on offer.
Judges Rodd Pearson (South Otago Theatrical Society), Greg Thompson (Showbiz Queenstown), Vicki Crawford (West Otago Theatrical Society), Gwyn Stevenson (South Otago Theatrical Society), Beth McArthur (Alexandra Musical Society) and Gloria Reid (Musical Theatre Dunedin) travelled to each production and filed a comprehensive report on every aspect of the shows.
Those reports were scrutinised by Mrs Horsnell before the judges came together to make their decisions.
"Musical theatre is alive and well within the region, from main centres to the far reaches of rural Otago and Southland," she said.
Mr Pearson said those nominated were a credit to the smaller societies throughout Otago and Southland, and showed theatre companies did not have to be the biggest or have the most resources to inspire excellence.
"There was some great work done both on stage and behind the scenes by many of the smaller societies throughout the region."
Results: Best makeup and hair: East Otago Musical Society (Anything Goes); best properties: West Otago Musical Society (The Vicar of Dibley); best sound: Alexandra Musical Society (Grease); best lighting and vision: Taieri Musical Society (Mary Poppins); best wardrobe: East Otago Musical Society (Anything Goes); best set: East Otago Musical Society (Anything Goes); best vocal work by a company: Taieri Musical Society (Mary Poppins); best ensemble number: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Taieri Musical Society (Mary Poppins); best cameo performance: Arlie McCormick as Birdwoman, Taieri Musical Society (Mary Poppins); best supporting female in a play or musical: Beatrice Onions as Miss Sherman, Wakatipu High School (Fame — The Musical); best supporting male in a play or musical: Justin Abbiss as Bill, Showbiz Queenstown (Mamma Mia!); best leading female in a musical: Tiffany Mitchell as Donna Sheridan, Showbiz Queenstown (Mamma Mia!): best leading female in a play or revue (dual award): Kylie Hodkinson as Sinead, Fine Thyme Theatre Company (Social Climbers) and Farryn Crawford as Alice Tinker, West Otago Theatre Company (The Vicar of Dibley); best leading male in a musical: Evan Fenemor as Bert, Taieri Musical Society (Mary Poppins); best leading male in a play or revue: Josh Cunningham as Nigel, Musical Theatre Oamaru (Four Weddings and a Divorce); Outstanding individual award: Torrone Smith; iTicket scholarship: Zee Williamson; best choreography: Emma Holloway, Taieri Musical Society (Mary Poppins); best musical direction: Sam van Betuw, Alexandra Musical Society (Grease); best direction: Doug Kamo, Taieri Musical Society (Mary Poppins); best overall production: East Otago Musical Theatre (Anything Goes).
