Brightlight Theatre presents
The Aviary
Awards won:
- Henley Drama Festival 2026The Dayton Cup (Class IV – Best Original Play)The Dorothy & Arthur Sharp Award (Best Presentation)The Hannen Award (Best Actress)+1 more — see all awards and nominations
- National Drama Festivals Association 2026Technical Excellence
- Welwyn Drama Festival 2026Behrens Steinfeld Trophy for the Director with the Most Complete & Imaginative ApproachCharles Pilgrem Trophy for Stage PresentationWinifred Butler Award for Best Actress
Play
Direction: Judy Price
Scenic design & Lighting design: Jamie Lakritz
Sound design: JP Lakritz
Stage management: Cat Lawton
Description
About this production
Brightlight Theatre staged Jamie Lakritz’s one-act choral verse-play The Aviary in 2026. Set in a cul-de-sac whose bird-like residents are trapped by a bird-catcher tree, the dark comedy explores performance, paralysis and self-imposed confinement.
Recognition
Awards & nominations
- HDThe Dayton Cup (Class IV – Best Original Play)Jamie LakritzWon
- HDThe Dorothy & Arthur Sharp Award (Best Presentation)Won
- HDThe Hannen Award (Best Actress)Megan KaliniakWon
- HDThe Kenton Drama Award (Class I Open)Won
- NDTechnical ExcellenceWon
- WDBehrens Steinfeld Trophy for the Director with the Most Complete & Imaginative ApproachJudy PriceWon
- WDCharles Pilgrem Trophy for Stage PresentationWon
- WDWinifred Butler Award for Best ActressMegan Kaliniak as Polly EchoWon
- NDAdjudicator Award (Props)Nominated
- NDBest Female ActorMegan Kaliniak as Polly EchoNominated
- NDBest Male ActorLiam Badcoe as AuroraNominated
- WDSecond Place – Roy Brewer CupNominated
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