The University Players, the resident theatre company at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts at UWI, Mona recently received an unprecedented seventeen Actor Boy Award nominations for achievement in Jamaican Theatre during 2008. The Players’ two major productions, Aimé Césaire’s A Tempest and Yasmina Reza’s ART both received nominations, the former eleven and the latter six.

For A Tempest, Staff Tutor at the PSCCA, Brian Heap was nominated in three of the technical categories for Best Special Effects, Best Costumes and Best Set, with UWI Technical Assistant Antonio Graham getting the nod for Best Lighting. Assistant Staff Tutor at the PSCCA, Michael Holgate was nominated for his choreography in the production, while Best Actor nominations were received by Rooney Chambers and Christopher McFarlane for their performances as Prospero and Caliban, respectively. Nadean Rawlins also received a nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of Ariel.

Paul Issa, Munair Zacca and Alwyn Scott were all nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for their ensemble playing in the production ART which was also nominated for Best Comedy. Brian Heap received Best Director nominations for the productions, both of which also featured in the Best Production category.

The winners of the awards will be announced at a ceremony to be held at the Courtleigh Auditorium on March 31, 2009. This Gala event is open to the public.