Avion Players, Gander

The Avion Players Drama Group has had a long history of community theatre in Gander. Formed in 1953, by well-known thespian Barbara Barrett along with Ken & Marion Paginez, Avion over the years has counted among its members other well-known people in the entertainment industry such as Kevin Blackmore, Michael Chaisson, Ray Penton and Una Joseph.

Avion's members are kept very busy from September to May with two major productions, an annual craft fair and an annual reading of “A Christmas Carol.”

In the past the group has also performed cabarets, hosted a “Community Idol” contest, and have transformed the Arts and Culture Centre into a haunted house for Halloween.

Avion has participated in the provincial drama festival since its beginning, and has traveled to Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Michigan to take part in national and international festivals. In 1993 Avion hosted the National/International Drama Festival, which saw many groups from all over the world entertain audiences in Gander.

The Avion Players have won many awards over the years at the annual provincial drama festival and was the first theatre troupe to win the coveted “Caminae” for best production at her inaugural appearance in 1972 for a production of “Jody.“

Provincial Drama Festival

2023
“Brazil Square” by Bernie Stapleton
 
-  Best Costumes - Brenda Chaytor
 
-  Adjudicator's Special Award - Festival Community Spirit
2022
Drama Festival cancelled amid COVID-19 risks.
2021
Drama Festival cancelled amid COVID-19 risks.
2020
Drama Festival cancelled amid COVID-19 risks.
2019
“The Donnellys” by Peter Colley
2018
“West Moon” by Al Pittman
 
-  Chairman's Award for the best supporting performance by a woman - Lynn Sooley as Rose Hepditch
 
-  Stage Manager's Award - Jeanne Collins
2017
“Moon Over Buffalo” by Ken Ludwig
 
-  Chrissi Andrews Memorial Award for the best performance by a woman - Michele Dove
 
-  Stage Manager's Award - Jennifer Stanley
 
-  Margaret Doyle Trophy for depicting the true spirit of the Festival - Greg & Ann Marie Blumer
 
-  Allan R. Hillier Award for for costume that most enhances interpretation of overall production - Brenda Chaytor
 
-  Elizabeth F. Ireland Award for the acquisition of the most effective and/or innovative properties - Jeanne Collins
 
-  Hans Tode Memorial Trophy for innovative and imaginative set design - Claude House & Nick Mercer
2016
“Painting Churches” by Tina Howe
 
-  Harvey Rose Bowl for the best visual presentation
 
-  Chrissi Andrews Memorial Award for the best performance by a woman - Michele Dove
 
-  Stage Manager's Award - Lynn Sooley
 
-  Allan R. Hillier Award for for costume that most enhances interpretation of overall production - Brenda Chaytor
 
-  Elizabeth F. Ireland Award for the acquisition of the most effective and/or innovative properties - Jeanne Collins
2015
“August: Osage County” by Tracy Letts
 
-  Harvey Rose Bowl for the best visual presentation
 
-  Chrissi Andrews Memorial Award for the best performance by a woman - Michele Dove
 
-  Chairman's Award for the best supporting performance by an actress - Julia McDonald
 
-  Peggy Lewis Memorial Trophy for excellence in stage management - Lynn Sooley
 
-  Newfoundland Herald Audience Appreciation Award
 
-  Margaret Doyle Trophy for depicting the true spirit of the Festival - Gander Arts and Culture Centre technicians
2014
“The Laramie Project” by Moises Kaufman
 
-  Chairman's Award for the best supporting performance by a woman - Michelle Dove as various characters
 
-  Reg Harte Memorial Award for the best supporting performance by a man - Shawn Tiller as various characters
 
-  Transcontinental Media Scholarship Award - Wanda Moore: Stage Manager
2013
“The Lyons” by Nicky Silver
 
-  Chrissi Andrews Memorial Award for the best performance by a woman - Annette Crummey as Rita
 
-  Reg Harte Memorial Award for the best supporting performance by a man - Percy Farwell as Ben
 
-  Hans Tode Memorial Trophy for innovative and imaginative set design - Michele Dove & Claude House
2012
“33 Variations” by Moises Kaufman
 
-  Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival Award for the best presentation of a full-length play
 
-  Honourary Chairman's Award for the best performance by a man - Bert Peddle as Ludwig van Beethoven
 
-  Chairman's Award for the best supporting performance by a woman - Julia McDonald as Dr. Gertrude Ladenburger
 
-  Reg Harte Memorial Award for the best supporting performance by a man - Greg Blumer as Anton Diabelli
 
-  Peggy Lewis Stage Manager's Award - Lynn Sooley
 
-  Newfoundland Herald Audience Appreciation Award
 
-  Hans Tode Memorial Trophy for innovative and imaginative set design - Annette Crummey, Claude House & Nick Mercer
 
-  OZ-FM Award for imagination and excellence in sound - Jeanne Collins
 
-  Telegram Transcontinental Media Scholarship Award - Ryan Pierce as Anton Schindler
2011
“Seven Stories” by Morris Panych
 
-  Chairman's Award for the best supporting performance by a woman - Michelle Dove as Lillian
2010
“Caught in the Net” by Ray Cooney
 
-  Honourary Chairman's Award for the best performance by a man - Bert Peddle as Stanley
 
-  Peggy Lewis Stage Manager's Award - Jennifer Stanley
 
-  Newfoundland Herald Audience Appreciation Award
 
-  Hans Tode Memorial Trophy for innovative and imaginative set design - Claude House & Nick Mercer
2009
“Frozen” by Bryony Lavery
 
-  Peggy Lewis Stage Manager's Award - Nick Mercer
 
-  OZ-FM Award for imagination and excellence in sound - Nick Mercer & John Parsons
2008
“Witness for the Prosecution” by Agatha Christie
 
-  Chrissi Andrews Memorial Award for the best performance by a woman - Annette Crummey as Romaine Heilger
 
-  Newfoundland Herald Audience Appreciation Award
 
-  Hans Tode Memorial Trophy for innovative and imaginative set design - Mike Hiscock & Claude House
2007
“Social Security” by Andrew Bergman
 
-  The Telegram Transcontinental Media Scholarship Award - Michelle Dove as Barbara Kahn
2006
“The Shadow Box” by Michael Cristofer
 
-  Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival Award for the best presentation of a full-length play
 
-  Neala F. Griffin Trophy for best direction - Annette Crummey
 
-  Honourary Chairman's Award for the best performance by a man - Lloyd White as Joe
 
-  Chairman's Award for the best supporting performance by a woman - Rosie Stuckless as Agnes
 
-  Reg Harte Memorial Award for the best supporting performance by a man - Greg Blumer as Anton Diabelli
 
-  Thompson Trophy for the best performance by a person under the age of 21 - Liam Small as Steve
 
-  Allan R. Hillier Award for for costume that most enhances interpretation of overall production - Brenda Chaytor
 
-  Hans Tode Memorial Trophy for innovative and imaginative set design - Paul Blake
2005
“Noises Off” by Michael Frayn
 
-  Chairman's Award for the best supporting performance by a woman - Stacie Clarke-Nelles as Belinda Blair
 
-  Newfoundland Herald Audience Appreciation Award
 
-  Hans Tode Memorial Trophy for innovative and imaginative set design - ?
 
-  OZ-FM Award for imagination and excellence in sound - Jeanne Collins
 
-  VOCM - Michelle Dove as the director and the character Dotty
2004
“Lettice and Lovage” by Peter Shaffer
 
-  Allan R. Hillier Award for for costume that most enhances interpretation of overall production - Brenda Hiscock
2003
“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield
 
-  Reg Harte Memorial Award for the best supporting performance by a man - Bert Peddle as ?
 
-  Newfoundland Herald Audience Appreciation Award
 
-  Margaret Doyle True Spirit of the Festival Award
 
-  Allan R. Hillier Award for for costume that most enhances interpretation of overall production - Paul Blake & Brenda Hiscock
 
-  OZ-FM Award for imagination and excellence in sound - Paul Blake & Mike Hiscock
2002
“A Delicate Balance” by Edward Albee
2001
“1984” by George Orwell
 
-  Thompson Trophy for the best performance by a person under the age of 21 - Jessica Wentzell as the Coffee Vendor
 
-  OZ-FM Award for imagination and excellence in sound - Greg Blumer
 
-  Allan Power Memorial Trophy for excellence in lighting design - Brian Dove
 
-  Walter C. Chambers Memorial Scholarship - Jessica Wentzell as the Coffee Vendor
2000
“Run For Your Wife” by Ray Cooney
 
-  Neala F. Griffin Trophy for best direction - Wayne Hurley
 
-  Honourary Chairman's Award for the best performance by a man - Greg Blumer as John Smith
 
-  Johnson Award for the best supporting performance by a man - Bert peddle as as Stanley Gardner
1999
“Someone Who'll Watch Over Me” by Frank McGuinness
 
-  Honourary Chairman's Award for the best performance by a man - Bert Peddle as Edward
 
-  Johnson Award for the best supporting performance by a man - Lloyd White as Michael
 
-  Peggy Lewis Stage Manager's Award - Michelle Dove
 
-  Allan R. Hillier Award for for costume that most enhances interpretation of overall production - Michelle Dove
 
-  VOCM Scholarship - Lloyd White as Michael
1998
“One Shoe Off” by Tina Howe
 
-  Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival Award for the best presentation of a full-length play
 
-  Harvey Rose Bowl for best visual presentation
 
-  Chairman's Award for the best supporting performance by a woman - Jackie Dawe as as Dinah
 
-  Newfoundland Herald Audience Appreciation Award
 
-  Margaret Doyle True Spirit of the Festival Award
1997
“On the Rim on the Curve” by Michael Cook
 
-  Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival Award for the best presentation of a full-length play
 
-  Harvey Rose Bowl for best visual presentation
 
-  Chairman's Award for the best supporting performance by a woman - Michelle Dove as as Demasduit
 
-  Newfoundland Herald Audience Appreciation Award
 
-  Margaret Doyle True Spirit of the Festival Award
 
-  Hans Tode Memorial Trophy for innovative and imaginative set design - Paul Blake
 
-  OZ-FM Award for imagination and excellence in sound - Mark Thibeau
 
-  Allan Power Memorial Trophy for excellence in lighting design - Brian Dove
1996
“Butterflies Are Free” by Leonard Gershe
1995
“Equus” by Peter Shaffer
1994
“And They Dance Real Slow in Jackson” by Jim Leonard, Jr.
 
-  VOCM Scholarship - Stacey Pheifer as Elizabeth Willow
1993
“It Runs In The Family” by Ray Cooney
 
-  Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival Award for the best presentation of a full-length play
 
-  Neala F. Griffin Trophy for best direction - Wayne Hurley
 
-  Honourary Chairman's Award for the best performance by a man - Bert Peddle as Dr. Hubert Bonney (Co-winner)
 
-  The Dorothy Ann Matthews Memorial Scholarship - Trevor Lush as Leslie
1992
“The Speed of Darkness” by Steve Tesich
 
-  Johnson Award for the best supporting performance by a man - Percy Farwell as Eddie
1991
“Play Memory” by Joanna M. Glass
 
-  Neala F. Griffin Trophy for best direction - Michele Gosse
 
-  Labatt's Canadian Play Award for the best presentation of a Canadian play
 
-  Hans Tode Memorial Trophy for innovative and imaginative set design - D. Grimes & S. Smith
1990
“Jitters” by David French
 
-  Johnson Award for the best supporting performance by a man - Percy Farwell as Phil Mastorakis
 
-  Labatt's Canadian Play Award for the best presentation of a Canadian play
 
-  Newfoundland Herald Audience Appreciation Award
1989
“As Loved Our Fathers” by Tom Cahill
 
-  Chairman's Award for the best supporting performance by a woman - Michelle Gosse as Imelda Roberts (Co-winner)
 
-  Labatt's Canadian Play Award for the best presentation of a Canadian play
 
-  Newfoundland Herald Audience Appreciation Award
1988
“The Country Girl” by Clifford Odets
 
-  OZ-FM Award for imagination and excellence in sound - Brian Dove
 
-  Walter C. Chambers Memorial Scholarship - Ray Penton Jr as Frank Elgin
1987
“House of Blue Leaves” by John Guare
1986
“The Dining Room” by Albert Ramsdell Gurney
 
-  Johnson Award for the best supporting performance by a man - Wayne Hurley as the 'First Actor'
1985
“Buried Child” by Sam Shepard
 
-  Thompson Trophy for the best performance by a person under the age of 21 - Annette Crummy as Shelly
 
-  Walter C. Chambers Memorial Scholarship - Michael Chiasson as Dodge
1984
“After the Fall” by Authur Miller
 
-  Chairman's Award for the best supporting performance by a woman - Susan Bartholmew as Louise
 
-  Thompson Trophy for the best performance by a person under the age of 21 - Leanne Wellon as Elsie/Carrie
 
-  Walter C. Chambers Memorial Scholarship - Ray Penton Jr. as the director
 
-  VOCM Scholarship - Carmel Maloney as the mother
1983
“Dylan” by Sidney Michaels
 
-  Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival Award for the best presentation of a full-length play
 
-  Neala F. Griffin Trophy for best direction - Claude House
 
-  Honourary Chairman's Award for the best performance by a man - Michael Chiasson as Dylan
 
-  Thompson Trophy for the best performance by a person under the age of 21 - Greg Seward as the Stage Manager
 
-  VOCM Scholarship - Wayne Hurley as John Malcolm Brinnin
1982
“The Elephant Man” by Bernard Pomerance
 
-  Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival Award for the best presentation of a full-length play
 
-  Honourary Chairman's Award for the best performance by a man - Ray Penton Jr. as John Merrick
 
-  Chairman's Award for the best supporting performance by a woman - Cathy Pretty as Pinhead #1
 
-  Johnson Award for the best supporting performance by a man - Michael Chaisson as Ross
1981
“A Delicate Balance” by Edward Albee
 
-  Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival Award for the best presentation of a full-length play
 
-  Neala F. Griffin Trophy for best direction - Jim Lewis
 
-  VOCM Scholarship - Marilyn Noseworthy as Claire
1980
“The Shadow Box” by Michael Cristofer
 
-  Hans Tode Memorial Trophy for innovative and imaginative set design - Kevin Blackmore
1979
“The Gayden Chronicles” by Michael Cook
 
-  Labatt's Canadian Play Award for the best presentation of a Canadian play
1978 
“Like Father, Like Fun” by Eric Nicol
1977 
“On the Rim of the Curve” by Michael Cook
 
-  Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival Award for the best presentation of a full-length play (Co-winner)
 
-  Harvey Rose Bowl for best visual presentation
 
-  Neala F. Griffin Trophy for best direction - Carmel Doyle (Co-winner)
 
-  Labatt's Canadian Play Award for the best presentation of a Canadian play
 
-  H.A. Morrissey Jubilee Drama Festival Award. $100 awarded for the direction of the winning play. - Carmel Doyle (Co-winner)
1976
“The Birthday Party” by Harold Pinter
 
-  Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival Award for the best presentation of a full-length play (Co-winner)
 
-  Neala F. Griffin Trophy for best direction - Carmel Doyle (Co-winner)
 
-  Chairman's Award for the best supporting performance by a woman - Clara Byrne as Meg Boles
 
-  VOCM Scholarship - Wayne Hurley as McCann
 
-  H.A. Morrissey Jubilee Drama Festival Award. $100 awarded for the director of the winning play. - Carmel Doyle (Co-winner)
1975
“Of The Fields Lately” by David French
 
-  W. F. Galgay Memorial Award for the best performance by a woman - Ruth Ferguson as Mary Mercer (Co-winner)
 
-  VOCM Scholarship - Carmel Doyle as the director
1974
“As Loved Our Fathers” by Tom Cahill
 
-  Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival Award for the best presentation of a full-length play
 
-  Chairman's Award for the best supporting performance by a woman - Jane Cheeks as the 'Old Woman'
 
-  H.A. Morrissey Jubilee Drama Festival Award. $100 awarded for the director of the winning play. - Shirley Rowsell
1973
“Leaving Home” by David French
1972
“Jody” by Tom Cahill
 
-  Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival Award for the best presentation of a full-length play
 
-  Honourary Chairman's Award for the best performance by a man - Ross Goldsworthy as Phonse Delaney
 
-  H.A. Morrissey Jubilee Drama Festival Award. $100 awarded for the director of the winning play. - Una Joseph
1971
“The Flowering Cherry” by Robert Bolt
1970
“Dulcima” adapted by Howard Ryshpan from Matt Segal's screenplay
 
-  Johnson Award for the best supporting performance by a man - Jim Lewis as the young man
1969
“The Nightmare” by Jean Lee Latham
1968
“Home is the Hero” by Walter Macken
1967
“The Holdin' Ground” by Ted Russell
1966
“The Wayward Saint” by Paul Vincent Carroll
 
-  Governor's Cup for the best supporting role at the festival - Dot Goff as Miss Killicat
1965
“Breath of Spring” by Peter Coke
1964
No Festival Production
1963
“Separate Tables” by Terence Rattigan
 
-  Regional Deputy Chairman's Cup for the best performance by a man - Ted Henley as Mr. Malcolm & Major Angus Pollock
1962
No Festival Production
1961
“Mountain Air” by Donald Wilkinson
 
-  Thompson Trophy for best direction - Charles Mardel
 
-  Regional Deputy Chairman's Cup for the best performance by a man - Ted Henley as George Beesdale
1960
No Festival Production
1959
“Murder Mistaken” by Janet Green
 
-  Governor's Cup for the best supporting role at the festival - Grace Ricketts as Emmie