Westholme School is celebrating the start of a new year with the news of 13 award nominations in the upcoming National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) awards for their sell-out stage performances in 2023.
The Pleasington School’s 2023 productions of Matilda JR the Musical and Fame have each been recognised in the Best Youth Ensemble category and Best Staging of a Youth Production for Fame.
Individual student performances have also been recognised in the shortlist, with Maggie Elder (from Preston) up for Best Leading Female in a Youth Musical for her headline role as Matilda and Louka Miller (from Burnley) and Jack Blackwell (from Balderstone) who are both up for Best Supporting Male in a Youth Musical for their portrayals of Bruce and Rudolpho, respectively.
Westholme students also take three of the shortlist spots in the Best Supporting Female in a Youth Musical with Daisy Collinson (from Clayton-le-Woods), Matilda Young (from Blackburn) and Jessica Johns (from Chorley) all hoping to scoop the award.
Staff who work hard behind the scenes to bring the stage productions to life are recognised across the NODA shortlist too - Amy Holland, for Best Director of a Musical for Matilda and also Fame, along with Amy Prendergast, Susan Eames for her role as Musical Director in Matilda and Amy Prendergast for her choreography in the same show.
Student Matilda Young, who has been nominated for her supporting role as Miss Honey in Matilda The Musical, said: “I am honoured and really happy about my individual award nomination. It was a great surprise that I never expected!.
“I am also really happy for my fellow nominees and the whole cast. I am very thankful for the entire show and wouldn’t be here without it. I am excited about attending the awards ceremony with my family and others from school and want to wish everyone the best of luck.”
Fellow student, Jack Blackwell, said: “When I first heard that I'd been nominated I was shocked as I really wasn't expecting it at all. I had seen my name mentioned in the NODA review and had thought that was amazing in itself.
“The role of Rudolpho was quite nerve wracking as I had to dance and be out of my comfort zone but both the staff and my peers helped me become confident especially Jacob White and Jonathan Baker. Once I was on stage my nerves disappeared and all I wanted was to make the audience laugh. I loved it and can't wait to be part of more performances at Westholme.”
Amy Holland, Director of Performing Arts at Westholme School, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that Westholme has been nominated in so many NODA categories. We have such talented students here and I am glad that I am able to give them a platform to perform and express themselves, with the support of the school.
“The students were all very excited when they found out about our 13 nominations. To be nominated is such an achievement and accolade and I could not be prouder of our students, the school and the department. We are now looking forward to our next production in the Spring.”
Students will take to the school’s Croston Theatre stage again later this year with a five-night run of Les Misérables, from 5-9 March.
NODA was formed in 1899 and has enjoyed well over 100 years of service to the amateur theatre, recognising its members’ performances through a series of regional awards each year, across the UK.