THE KENYA THEATRE AWARD NOMINEES (2021)

THE COMPLETE LIST OF NOMINEES

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A cross-section of the eventual KTA winners.

1. Best production

a. Simba Bazenga – KCA University

b. Nyanga – Baraka Opera Trust

c. Three is a Crowd – Heartstrings Entertainment

                                         

2. Best Musical theatre production

a. Simba Basenga – KCA University

b. Nyanga – Baraka Opera Trust

c. In the Heights - St. Mary’s school

d. Subira – Silent Voices and Gilb'art Productions

 

3. Best Kikwetu Production

a. Hiuria Muiko - Fanaka Arts

b. Kumutha Ciakane – Renegade Ventures

 

4. Best Virtual Show – Have both Hummingbird and theatre for one on the awards program

a. Call of the Hummingbird – Ogutu M.raya

b. Theatre for One – The Art Centre Nyuad

c. Toshanisha – Bold Theatre Kenya

 

5. Best Children’s Play

a. The Trial of Athena – Youth Theatre Kenya

b. In the Heights - St. Mary’s School

c. The Nutcracker – Dance Centre Kenya

 

6. Best Breakthrough Male Performer

a. Ted Munene in (BlackOut)

b. Emmanuel Baraza (Simba Bazenga)

c. Odhiambo Gadwil (Men of Ambition)

 

7. Best Breakthrough Female Performer

a. Mackrine Andala (Three is a Crowd)

b. Vivianne Pambo (Heart of Euphoria)

c. Vivian Nyawira (Katiba)

 

8. Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Play) – Very competitive

a. Bernice Nthenya (Three is a Crowd)

b. Sarah Masese (Heart of Euphoria)

c. Matilda Igatha (Trial of Athena)

d. Mary Mwikali (Breathe III)

 

9. Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Play)

a. Mike Ndeda (BlackOut)

b. Majestic Steve (Barua)

c. Martin Githinji (Breath III)

 

10. Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (Musical)

a. Elizabeth Nekoye (In the Heights)

b. Rebekeh Dawn (Nyanga)

c. Agnes Kola (Subira)

 

11. Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Musical)

a. Gilbert Lukalia (Subira)

b. Emmanuel Barasa (Simba Bazenga)

c. Caleb Wachira (Nyanga)

 

12. Best Musical score/arrangements/adaptation

a. Nyanga – Baraka Opera Trust

b. Simba Bazenga – KCA University

c. In the Heights – St. Mary’s School

 

13. Best Original Choreography in a Musical/Play

a. The Nutcracker – Dance Centre Kenya

b. African Contemporary – Sarakasi Trust

c. In the heights – St. Mary’s School

 

14. Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Lead Role (Play)

a. Wakio Mzenge (Breathe III)

b. Vivianne Pambo (Heart of Euphoria)

c. Esther Kamba (Dilation – Maabara Showcase)

 

15. Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Lead Role (Play)

a. Paul Ogola (Heartstrings)

b. Nick Ndeda (Back to Basics)

c. Odhiambo Gadwil (Men of Ambition)

 

16. Best Performance in a Solo Production: Male/Female

a. Esther Kamba (Dilation – Maabara Showcase)

b. Mumbi Kaigwa (Theatre for one)

c. Wanjiku Mwavuganga (Roots – Maabara Showcase)

 

17. Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Lead Role (Musical)

a. Nice Githinji (Subira)

b. Sandra Chadota (Simba Bazenga)

c. Lyndie Shinyega (Nyanga)

 

18. Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Lead Role (Musical)

a. Mundawarara Shaun (Subira)

b. Tinashe Mpariwa (In the Heights)

c. Mikal Otieno (Simba Bazenga)

 

19. Best Dance Theatre

a. Wild Exposed – Egerton University

b. The Nutcracker – Dance Centre Kenya

c. African Contemporary – Sarakasi Trust

 

20. Best Kenyan Playwright

a. Xavier Nato (BlackOut)

b. Brian Orina (Heart of Euphoria)

c. Peter Tosh (Barua & Katiba)

 

21. Best Set Design

a. The Nutcracker – Dance Centre Kenya

b. Hiuria Muiko - Fanaka Arts

c. Blackout – Millaz Production

 

22. Best Lighting Design

a. Breathe III – Back to Basics

b. Men of Ambition – Journal of Orina

c. Subira – Silent Voices and Gilb'art Productions

 

23. Best Sound Design

a. Call of the Hummingbird – Ogutu Muraya

b. Nyanga – Baraka Opera Trust

c. Dilation by Esther Kamba in Maabara Showcase

 

24. Best Costumes Design

a. The Nutcracker – Dance Centre Kenya

b. Sound of Music – Music & Theatre Kenya

c. African Contemporary – Sarakasi Trust

d. Subira – Silent Voices and Gilb'art Productions

 

25. Best Producer

a. Asha Mwangi (Heartstrings Entertainment)

b. Clare Wahome (Millaz Production)

c. Peter Tosh (Liquid Arts Entertainment)

d. Cooper Rust (Dance Centre Kenya)

e. Eric Ndugu (Fanaka Arts)

 

26. Best Director

a. Sammy Mwangi (Three is a Crowd)

b. Ogutu Muraya (Simba Bazenga)

c. Mbeki Mwalimu (Breathe III)

d. Peter Tosh (Liquid Arts Entertainment)

e. Njomo Nyathira (Fanaka Arts)

 

27. Best University/college theatre group

a. KCA University for Simba Bazenga

b. Kenyatta University for Contract Love

c. Egerton University for Wild Exposed

 

28. Best Theatre Company of the year 2021

a. Liquid Arts Production

b. Fanaka Arts

c. Millaz Production

 

 

OTHER AWARDS:

 

John Sibi-Okumu (centre) flanked by Kevin Kahuro and Clare Wahome.

1. World Impact Award (for an individual or production that raises the bar of Kenya Theatre

Internationally) - John Sibi-Okumu

2. Life Time Achievement Award (for individuals in the industry for more than 30 years.) - David Mulwa

3. Jury Special Award (for outstanding contribution to Kenyan Theatre) - Alacoque Ntome

4. Ushirika Award (for individuals and advertising, corporate, government entities or venues that support theatre) - Kenya Cultural Centre

 

IMAGES

The full list of winners will be published here shortly. Until then, below are some images from the glamorous award ceremony which took place at the Kenya National Theatre. (All images are Courtesy of KTA.)