Nominations & Awards

At KYDS Youth Drama Society, we are proud to be part of the Jack Petchey Foundation, which supports and celebrates young people’s achievements. We are also affiliated with NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) and NETG (North Essex Theatre Guild), reflecting our commitment to excellence in amateur theatre.

In addition to external recognitions, we celebrate our members’ dedication and talent through our own internal awards:

The President’s Award – Presented to the individual who has demonstrated the highest level of achievement within KYDS.
The Robert Greed Award – Created in memory of Robert Greed, who played a vital role in bringing our productions to life through his incredible set and prop work. This award honors those who show outstanding dedication behind the scenes.

These awards reflect our passion for theatre and our appreciation for the hard work and commitment of our members, both on and off the stage.

2025

Alexandra Bilsland

NETG Best Director for Sister Act Jr

Emily Howell

Jack Petchey Award Winner

James Hale

Jack Petchey Award Winner

2024

Ava Cullen

Jack Petchey Award Winner

2023

NETG

North Essex Theatre Guild

Dance Award: the complex choreography & high energy, enthusiastic dance/movement of the cast in Matilda (with commendation for Snow White)

2022

Grace Bryson

NODA Best Youth Performer

Grace Bryson

NETG Best Young Actress

2018

NODA

National Operatic and Dramatic Association – East Region

Nominated Best Pantomime

NETG

North Essex Theatre Guild

Nominated for the King Costume Award
Nominated for the Adjudicator’s Award
Nominated Best Young Actor for his performance as Harry the Jester in Sleeping Beauty – Charlie Warner
Nominated Best Young Actor for his performance as Oliver in Oliver! – Beau Hens
Nominated Best Young Actress for her performance as Deadly Nightshade in Sleeping Beauty – Ellie Russell
Nominated Best Young Actress for her performance as Nancy in Oliver! – Lola Emson
Nominated for the Jacque & Peter Collyer-Smith Trophy for Best Musical
Nominated for the Eric Dyster Cup for Best Pantomime
Nominated for the Terry Sadler Memorial Trophy for Front of House

Tom Nicoll

NETG Best Dame for his performance as Dame Winifred Slaptickle in Sleeping Beauty

Charlie Warner

Jack Petchey Award Winner

Lola Emson

President’s Highest Achiever Award

Eva Guerra

Robert Greed Award for Commitment

Alexandra Berriman

Jack Petchey Outstanding Leader

2017

NODA

National Operatic and Dramatic Association – East Region

Winner of the Award for Best Pantomime
Winner of the Award for Best Production in District 8
Best Standard Programme

NETG

North Essex Theatre Guild

Nominated for the Collyer-Smith Marine Trophy for Best Musical
Nominated for the King Costume Award
Nominated for the Adjudicators’ Award
Nominated Best Young Actress for her performance as Ethelazar in Aladdin – Ellie Russell

Ben Collins

NODA Best Youth Performer & NETG Best Young Actor for his performance as Joseph in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat

Matthew Greed

Jack Petchey Award Winner

Ellie Macey

Jack Petchey Award Winner

2016

NODA

National Operatic and Dramatic Association – East Region

Nominated Best Youth Production in District 8
Nominated Best Pantomime in District 8

NETG

North Essex Theatre Guild

Winner of the Jan King Award for ‘unsung heroes’ for his service as President of KYDS – Ray Banks
Nominated for the King Costume Award

Tom Nicoll

NETG Best Dame for his performance as Grizelda in Cinderella

Dannii Carr

Jack Petchey Award Winner

Millie Sheldrick

Jack Petchey Award Winner

Ben Collins

President’s Highest Achiever Award

Ellie Russell

Jack Petchey Award Winner

Olly Smith

Jack Petchey Award Winner

2015

NODA

National Operatic and Drama Association – East Region

Best Pantomime in District 8

NETG

North Essex Theatre Guild

Nominated for the Adjudicators’ Award for her performance as Tom Cat in Dick Whittington – Grace Upton
Nominated Best Young Actress for her performance as Wraith in Dracula Spectacula – Alice Mason
Nominated Best Dame for his performance as Dame Dolly Dumpling in Dick Whittington – Matthew Russell
Nominated for the King Costume Award
Nominated for Technical Achievement for Lighting, sound and special effects
Nominated for the Eric Dyster Cup for Best Pantomime or Children’s Play
Nominated for The Terry Sadler Memorial Trophy for Front of House
Nominated as Best Young Actress for her performance as Emily in Remembrance – Sophie Stocker
Nominated for the Cliff Hudson Award for Comedy for his performance in Remembrance – Jon Beales

Daisy Greenwood

NETG Best Young Actress for her performance as Queen Rat in Dick Whittington and as Nadia in Dracula Spectacula

Olly Smith

President’s Highest Achiever Award

Lucy Greed

Jack Petchey Award Winner

2014

NODA

National Operatic and Drama Association – East Region

Best Youth Production in District 8
Nominated for Best Pantomime in District 8
Winner of the Standard Programme Category in District 8
Nominated Best Musical in District 8

NETG

North Essex Theatre Guild

Winner of the Terry Sadler Memorial Trophy for Front of House
Nominated Best Young Actor for his performance as Humphrey in Jack and the Beanstalk and The White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland – Ben Collins
Nominated Best Young Actress for her performance as the Witch in Jack and the Beanstalk – Sophie Stocker
Nominated Best Young Actress for her performance as Alice in Alice in Wonderland – Daisy Greenwood
Nominated for the Adjudicator’s Award for their performances as Snatchet and Scarper in Jack and the Beanstalk – Peter Greenwood & Matthew Russell
Nominated for the Collyer-Smith Marine Trophy for Best Musical

Sophie Stocker

President’s Highest Achiever Award

2013

NETG

North Essex Theatre Guild

Runner-Up for Best Actor for his performance as Chuckles in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and as Horton in Seussical Junior – Dannii Carr
Nominated Best Young Actress for her performance as Queen Avarice in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Rachel Shortland
Nominated Best Supporting Actor for his performance as The Cat in the Hat in Seussical Junior – Peter Greenwood
Nominated Best Dame for his performance as Dame Edna in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Jordan Murphy
Nominated for the King Costume Award
Nominated for the Collyer-Smith Marine Trophy for Best Musical
Nominated for the Terry Sadler Memorial Trophy for Front of House
Nominated for the Eric Dyster Cup for Best Pantomime or Children’s Play

Rachel Shortland

NODA Best Youth Performer in District 8 for her performance as Queen Avarice in Snow White

Cheyenne Coleman

President’s Highest Achiever Award

2012

NETG

North Essex Theatre Guild

Nominated Best Young Actress for her performance as Tinkerbell in Peter Pan – Jodie Cole
Nominated for the Jean Jones Award for Set Design / Construction / Dressing

Rachel Shortland

NETG Best Young Actress for her performance as Squire Trelawney in Treasure Island

2011

NETG

North Essex Theatre Guild

Nominated Best Young Actor for his performance as Wishee Washee in Aladdin – Peter Greenwood
Nominated Best Young Actress for her performance as Capt. Smolsky and other roles in Bugsy Malone – Rachel Shortland
Nominated for the award for Best Dame for their performance as Dames Twankey, Twinkey and Twonkey in Aladdin – Jon Beales, Jack Vanson & Brad Cole
Nominated for the Adjudicators Award for their performance as Clarence the Camel in Aladdin – Jenny Hayward & Katy Hood
Nominated for The Timmens Award for Music for musical accompaniment
Nominated for The Terry Sadler Memorial Trophy for Front of House

Brad Cole

NETG Best Young Actor for his performance as Fat Sam in Bugsy Malone

2010

NETG

North Essex Theatre Guild

Nominated Best Young Actress for her performance as Mrs Lovett in The Sweeney Todd Shock ‘n’ Roll Show – Rachel Shortland
Nominated Best Young Actress for her performance as Pickle in The Sweeney Todd Shock ‘n’ Roll Show – Hannah Willingale
Nominated Best Young Actress for her performance as Grovel in The Sweeney Todd Shock ‘n’ Roll Show – Sophie Morton