The calendar year for judging runs from January to the end of November. Participating societies nominate which productions they would like judged throughout the year. Each show is independently viewed and judged by the judges using the same criteria. A report is submitted to the convenor after every show.

The panel meets in early December to identify a list of final nominees, who are announced at a separate event hosted by one of the musical societies. The judges then meet again to vote on the winners of each category with the final results announced at the awards evening.

How the judging works
Each of the judges must see a show once in their capacity as a NAPTA judge - where ever possible avoiding both opening and closing performances. Judges are free to attend shows again, but judging occurs only on the first viewed performance.

The Judges independently complete an assessment of each Award category for a show. Each category is rated on its own merits. Comments are also recorded for each category. The forms are collected and held by the convenor.

Click here to view the current Judging Criteria... (PDF)

On completion of the judging year, the convenor will tally the scores and nominees are generally found using these scores. A maximum of 5 nominations in each category is the guideline.

The final decision
On completion of the nomination process the final decision process then takes place. The judges are presented with the collated comments of all nominees for each Award category.

An open discussion is then entered into followed by a secret ballot. After 4 - 5 categories the convenor and adjudicator will collate scores. If a minimum of three judges have voted for one nominee they become the NAPTA recipient. If a recipient is not found then further discussions take place & another ballot is taken until a recipient is found.

The convenor is the only person who knows who the recipients are. They then collate the recipients in readiness for the NAPTA Awards evening.


2025 Season Judges

• Donna Rae


I am grateful to have been part of the Auckland Amateur Theatre Community for the past 8 years where I have headed Hair and Makeup Teams and Costume Designed for numerous productions and companies. I also made my way back on stage in 2021 as part of the cast of AMT’s The Laramie Project. I am so thrilled to be able to see the talent that this community has to offer and can't wait to see you all shine.


• Glenda Pearce


Glenda works full-time professionally in a range of areas in performance and public speaking. She is a writer, reviewer, actor, national examiner or SpeechNZ, national adjudicator in speech and drama, and self-employed director/tutor with an established business in performance and dynamic speaking skills. She has directed a considerable number of school and community productions.

Glenda was employed for a decade by the Ministry of Education and NZQA in teacher education and assessment. She facilitates workshops throughout the country, with a speciality in Shakespearean text. She was fortunate to study at The Globe in London in 2018. Glenda has been the recipient of several national awards and scholarships in education and drama.


• Stephen Dallow


Stephen has spent his life making theatre starting off directing at the young age of 16. He then went on to set up his own performing arts school in Auckland which to this day still has over 250 students attend each week.

Over the next 30 years Stephen has staged countless productions, directed and managed touring shows, written several full scale musicals and teaches weekly drama classes with Kids 4 Drama and Musical Theatre classes with DANZA.

Stephen mixes between producing and directing, now giving young directors a chance to stage their own shows under his guidance and support.

2024 was a busy year, working on five productions as either director or producer including the NZ Premiere of the School’s Edition of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. 2025 Stephen is directing Sister Act in Auckland and Jersey Boys in Tauranga.


• Robyn Kennerly


Robyn is a voice teacher and vocal coach who has worked with many Auckland societies over the years performing in lead roles/cameos/ensemble. Her work as a Musical Director won her 4 NAPTA Awards from 7 nominations. She has also coached the ensembles that have won 5 awards from 8 nominations for best vocal work by an ensemble. Robyn received a merit award from MTNZ for services to Music Theatre and is a life member of Auckland Music Theatre.


• Marita Gillespie


Marita has had a lifelong passion for all aspects of theatre & has been singing & dancing since childhood. Over the last decades she has worked as an actor/singer and choreographer for Auckland’s many theatres. While musical theatre has dominated, she has also thoroughly enjoyed major roles in plays.

Marita has been involved in at least 30 shows, probably more, the firsts being in His Majesty’s theatre, and as a dancer on weekly tv shows.

Marita is a great supporter of the NAPTA awards, as a nominee & choreographer of NAPTA award evenings. She feels she is privileged to be part of the judging panel, along with fellow judges, whom she greatly admires.


• Julie Maude - Convenor


Julie's involvement and love for musical theatre began as a child. On stage she has performed in multiple shows over the years and now sings on a regular basis with the Broadway Gals at Centrestage. Backstage you will find her helping in a variety of roles including wardrobe and stage crew.

Julie served on the committee for Harlequin Musical Theatre before moving north to Orewa. She is delighted to be convening the NAPTA judging for 2025.