Two outstanding young achievers have been acknowledged for their contribution to the local theatre community in this year’s Janice Jones nomination.
This annual award recognises the efforts of young people under the age of 25 who go above and beyond in the areas of acting, technical support, musical ability, and/or outstanding support and contribution to the Shakespeare by the River Festival in Stratford.
The Janice Jones Youth Achievement Award has been running since 2003 and the Stratford Shakespeare committee is proud to announce this year’s nominees.
Cassie Lenne of Maffra has been part of the festival since 2018 as a young performer in The Courthouse Kids.
Her maturity and love of helping others on stage meant she quickly graduated from performing Shakespeare in the park to helping run the weekly drama classes.
Each year Cassie has worked to develop scripts and train the next generation of actors, and credits Rach Nicholls as handing her first paid job. At the young age of 14 Cassie joined Groundwork Youth Theatre for their 2021 production To Rule Them All, and has been an integral part of the acting troupe since.
Taking on Cordelia in Groundwork’s rendition of King Lear, You Should See Me in a Crown, and Laertes/Iago in 2023’s Shakespeare in Pearil, this year you can watch her portray Emperor Saturnine in Titus Apocalypse.
Over the years Cassie has also run the kids games on the Village Green at Faire Day and been a helper at The Bard’s Banquet.
In acknowledging her nomination Cassie told the committee the importance of this in her life.
“I’ve been able to watch the town come together as a tight-knit community and use the Shakespeare Festival as an outlet for their creativity. It provides an opportunity for me to meet talented, like-minded people and be a part of a creatively-directed group,” she said.
Jeremy Smyth of Stratford is also 17 but came into the festival family only a couple of years ago.
Like Cassie he found a like-minded group of performers at Groundwork Youth Theatre.
The 2023 festival was a busy one for this young performer who not only acted on the Groundwork stage but played music for The Community Players, ran the kids games and served at the banquet.
2024 seems just as hectic as he has bravely attempted to adapt Shakespeare’s bloodiest play Titus Andronicus, as well as direct, act and compose for the production of Titus Apocalypse.
These two dedicated young people are in their final year of VCE and yet have devoted so many hours to the festival, and the committee thanks them both.
You can see them on stage for three performances of Titus Apocalypse and support them on Faire Day as they raise money for the youth theatre group.
A most worthy award winner will be announced at the official festival opening on Thursday, April 18, 6.30pm at The Stratford Courthouse Theatre.
For tickets and all things Shakespeare head to the Stratford Shakespeare website.
