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Toronto Theatre Takes Centre Stage as the 2026 Dora Award Nominations Are Announced – front mezz junkies, Theater News
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Toronto Theatre Takes Centre Stage as the 2026 Dora Award Nominations Are Announced – front mezz junkies, Theater News

18 Mins Read

Frontmezzjunkies reports: Crow’s, Soulpepper, Canadian Stage, and more lead a dazzling year of nominations

By Ross

Few cities in the world make me feel as alive as Toronto does when it comes to theatre. Week after week, across storefront venues, major institutions, opera houses, and daring independent stages, this city continually proves that its artistic community can rival any theatrical centre on the planet. Toronto theatre has become one of the great creative forces in my life, offering productions that challenge, devastate, surprise, and inspire with astonishing consistency. Covering this scene over the years has been one of the deepest privileges imaginable, and becoming a voting member of the Toronto Theatre Critics’ Awards only deepened my gratitude for the artists and companies who keep this city creatively electric.

Now, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts has announced the nominees for the 46th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, celebrating an extraordinary 2025-2026 season across theatre, dance, and opera. This year’s nominations recognize 221 achievements across 44 gender-inclusive categories, spanning 214 productions from 99 TAPA-registered companies, marking one of the most expansive years for Toronto performance since before the pandemic.

Among the productions receiving multiple nominations are Théâtre français de Toronto’s Le malentendu (The Misunderstanding), Crow’s Theatre’s Rogers v. Rogers, Soulpepper, The Howland Company, and Crow’s co-production of The Welkin, Theatre Passe Muraille’s Through the Eyes of God, Coal Mine Theatre and Outside the March’s Dance Nation, Tarragon Theatre and The Musical Stage Company’s After the Rain, Crow’s Theatre and Soulpepper’s Octet, and Red Sky Performance’s She Holds Up the Stars. Across dance and opera, acclaimed productions including ZAYO, Be the Bird, Reverence, Orfeo ed Euridice, Bluebeard’s Castle / Erwartung, LOL: Laughing Out Lonely, Werther, and Rigoletto also emerged as major nominees.

The Dora Awards ceremony will take place on June 29 at Meridian Hall, hosted by acclaimed performer Amaka Umeh, who also received two nominations this season for ensemble work in Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary and Narnia. Additional honours announced alongside the nominations include the George Luscombe Mentorship Award for Michael Caldwell, the Pauline McGibbon Award for designer Ashley Naomi (Crow’s The Veil), and the Ray Ferris Innovation and Sustainability Grant awarded to Clay and Paper Theatre.

Nancy Palk in Tarragon Theatre’s Bremen Town. Photo by Jae Yang.

Here are the 2026 Dora Mavor Moore Award Nominations:

221 Nominations across 44 Categories for Theatre, Dance & Opera

2026 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Nominees
General Theatre Division
Outstanding Production
Bremen Town Tarragon Theatre
Copperbelt NAC English Theatre and Soulpepper Theatre Company
Le malentendu (The Misunderstanding) Théâtre français de Toronto
Rogers v. Rogers Crow’s Theatre
Through the Eyes of God Theatre Passe Muraille
Outstanding New Play
Anusree Roy Through the Eyes of God Theatre Passe Muraille
Kanika Ambrose The Christmas Market b current Performing Arts in association with Crow’s Theatre and Studio 180 Theatre
Michael Healey Rogers v. Rogers Crow’s Theatre
Natasha Mumba Copperbelt NAC English Theatre and Soulpepper Theatre Company
Nicolas Billon The Neighbours Green Light Arts in association with Tarragon Theatre
Outstanding Direction
Andrea Donaldson Enormity, Girl, and the Earthquake in Her Lungs Nightwood Theatre in association with Tarragon Theatre
Claren Grosz, Augusto Bitter Reina Pencil Kit Productions in association with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Gregory Prest Bremen Town Tarragon Theatre
Karine Ricard Le malentendu (The Misunderstanding) Théâtre français de Toronto
Thomas Morgan Jones Through the Eyes of God Theatre Passe Muraille
Outstanding Performance by an Individual
Amanda Cordner How to Catch Creation Soulpepper Theatre Company, Nightwood Theatre, and Obsidian Theatre
bahia watson The Welkin Soulpepper Theatre Company, The Howland Company, and Crow’s Theatre
bahia watson Summer and Smoke Crow’s Theatre and Soulpepper Theatre Company co-production in association with BirdLand Theatre
Béatrice René-Décarie Le malentendu (The Misunderstanding) Théâtre français de Toronto
Gabriella Sundar Singh Through the Eyes of God Theatre Passe Muraille
Michelle Monteith Red Like Fruit 2b theatre company presented by Soulpepper Theatre Company and Luminato Festival
Ordena Stephens-Thompson The Neighbours Green Light Arts in association with Tarragon Theatre
Sophia Walker Slave Play Canadian Stage
(L to R): Kyra Harper, Natasha Mumba, Ghazal Azarbad, Olunike Adeliyi, and Brefny Caribou in The Welkin at Soulpepper Theatre. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
The Ensemble of: Nancy Palk,Tatjana Cornij, Oliver Dennis, Farhang Ghajar, Veronica Hortigüela, Sheila McCarthy, Dan Mousseau, Gregory Prest, William Webster Bremen Town Tarragon Theatre
The Ensemble of: Marta Armstrong, Liz Der, Philippa Domville, Vivien Endicott-Douglas, Noa Furlong, Bria McLaughlin, Sofía Rodríguez, Emerjade Simms Enormity, Girl, and the Earthquake in Her Lungs Nightwood Theatre in association with Tarragon Theatre
The Ensemble of: Michelle Monteith, Sabryn Rock, Nancy Palk, Belinda Corpuz, Amaka Umeh Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary Crow’s Theatre
The Ensemble of: Olunike Adeliyi, Ghazal Azarbad, Nadine Bhabha, Brefny Caribou, Raquel Duffy, Kyra Harper, Fiona Highet, Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster, Craig Lauzon, Cameron Laurie, Annie Luján, Natasha Mumba, Liisa Repo-Martell, Hallie Seline, Addison Wagman The Welkin Soulpepper Theatre Company, The Howland Company, and Crow’s Theatre
The Ensemble of: Maev Beaty, Liisa Repo-Martell You, Always Canadian Stage
Outstanding Scenic / Projection Design
Andy Moro (Scenic & Projection) Mischief Tarragon Theatre, Native Earth Performing Arts, and Neptune Theatre
Joshua Quinlan (Scenic); Nathan Bruce (Projection) Rogers v. Rogers Crow’s Theatre
Julie Fox (Scenic) The Welkin Soulpepper Theatre Company, The Howland Company, and Crow’s Theatre
Ken MacDonald (Scenic) Queen Maeve Tarragon Theatre
Sim Suzer (Scenic) Romeo & Juliet Canadian Stage
Outstanding Costume Design
Anahita Dehbonehie Rainbow on Mars Outside the March with The National Ballet of Canada and Peripheral Theatre
Melanie McNeill Le malentendu (The Misunderstanding) Théâtre français de Toronto
Michelle Tracey The Welkin Soulpepper Theatre Company, The Howland Company, and Crow’s Theatre
Nancy Anne Perrin Bremen Town Tarragon Theatre
Rachel Forbes Copperbelt NAC English Theatre and Soulpepper Theatre Company
Outstanding Lighting Design
Bonnie Beecher The Welkin Soulpepper Theatre Company, The Howland Company, and Crow’s Theatre
Chris Malkowski The Surrogate Here For Now Theatre Company in association with Crow’s Theatre, House + Body, and b current Performing Arts
Christian Horoszczak Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary Crow’s Theatre
Imogen Wilson Rogers v. Rogers Crow’s Theatre
Melissa Joakim Rainbow on Mars Outside the March with The National Ballet of Canada and Peripheral Theatre
Outstanding Sound Design / Composition
Maddie Bautista The Surrogate Here For Now Theatre Company in association with Crow’s Theatre, House + Body, and b current Performing Arts
Mehdi Rostami Le malentendu (The Misunderstanding) Théâtre français de Toronto
Olivia Wheeler The Comeuppance Soulpepper Theatre Company
Romeo Candido Through the Eyes of God Theatre Passe Muraille
Thomas Ryder Payne Rogers v. Rogers Crow’s Theatre
Jean Yoon (center right, with company in BG) in Dance Nation at Coal Mine Theatre. Photo by Elana Emer.
2026 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Nominees Independent Theatre Division
Outstanding Production
Bug The King Black Box in partnership with Elkabong Theatre Projects
Dance Nation Coal Mine Theatre and Outside the March in association with Rock Bottom Movement
Eureka Day Coal Mine Theatre
The Division Project: Humanity and Pyretic Productions in association with Crow’s Theatre
The Green Line In Arms Theatre Company and MENA Collective in association with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Factory Theatre
Outstanding New Play
Andrew Kushnir The Division Project: Humanity and Pyretic Productions in association with Crow’s Theatre
Jesse McQueen Romeo Pimp The King Black Box in partnership with One East Productions
Lauren Gillis, Alaine Hutton Public Consumption Lester Trips (Theatre) presented by Factory Theatre
Makram Ayache The Green Line In Arms Theatre Company and MENA Collective in association with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Factory Theatre
Susanna Fournier take rimbaud The Howland Company in partnership with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Outstanding Direction
Andrew Kushnir The Division Project: Humanity and Pyretic Productions in association with Crow’s Theatre
Diana Bentley (Director); Alyssa Martin (Movement Director) Dance Nation Coal Mine Theatre and Outside the March in association with Rock Bottom Movement
Makram Ayache The Green Line In Arms Theatre Company and MENA Collective in association with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Factory Theatre
Sophie Ann Rooney Romeo Pimp The King Black Box in partnership with One East Productions
ted witzel take rimbaud The Howland Company in partnership with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Outstanding Performance by an Individual
Daniel Maslany The Division Project: Humanity and Pyretic Productions in association with Crow’s Theatre
Evan Buliung Fulfillment Centre Coal Mine Theatre
Kevin Bundy Eureka Day Coal Mine Theatre
Kristen Thomson Fulfillment Centre Coal Mine Theatre
L.A. Sweeney Bug The King Black Box in partnership with Elkabong Theatre Projects
Nicholas Eddie Bug The King Black Box in partnership with Elkabong Theatre Projects
Nolan Moberly Tales of an Urban Indian Talk Is Free Theatre
Oshen Aoun The Green Line In Arms Theatre Company and MENA Collective in association with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Factory Theatre
Karl Ang, Ivy Charles, Daniel Maslany, Mariya Khomutova, and Alon Nashman in The Division at Crow’s Theatre. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
The Ensemble of: Salvatore Antonio, Beck Lloyd, Annie Luján, Zorana Sadiq, Oliver Dennis, Katherine Cullen, Jean Yoon, Amy Keating, Amy Matysio Dance Nation Coal Mine Theatre and Outside the March in association with Rock Bottom Movement
The Ensemble of: Jeanie Calleja, Pip Dwyer, Natalie Bushnik Night at the Grand Guignol Eldritch Theatre
The Ensemble of: Charlotte Salisbury, athena kaitlin trinh, Agape Mngomezulu, Brennan Bielefeld, Jesse McQueen, Sam Wexler, Juliette Diodati, Jack Creaghan Romeo Pimp The King Black Box in partnership with One East Productions
The Ensemble of: Thomas Mitchell Barnet, Julian De Zotti, Ruth Goodwin, Rose Tuong, Breton Lalama, Hallie Seline, Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster, Cameron Laurie take rimbaud The Howland Company in partnership with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
The Ensemble of: Mariya Khomutova, Ivy Charles, Alon Nashman, Karl Ang The Division Project: Humanity and Pyretic Productions in association with Crow’s Theatre
Outstanding Scenic / Projection Design
Anahita Dehbonehie (Scenic) The Green Line In Arms Theatre Company and MENA Collective in association with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Factory Theatre
Nick Blais (Scenic) Fulfillment Centre Coal Mine Theatre
Nick Blais (Scenic) Dance Nation Coal Mine Theatre and Outside the March in association with Rock Bottom Movement
Steve Lucas, Beckie Morris (Scenic) Eureka Day Coal Mine Theatre
Ting – Huan 挺歡 Christine Urquhart (Scenic); Nicole Eun-Ju Bell (Projection) take rimbaud The Howland Company in partnership with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design
Kathleen Black Dance Nation Coal Mine Theatre and Outside the March in association with Rock Bottom Movement
Melanie McNeill Night at the Grand Guignol Eldritch Theatre
ORXSTRA (Tala Kamea + Alexander McLeod) The Herald An It Could Still Happen production in partnership with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Sim Suzer, Niloufar Ziaee The Division Project: Humanity and Pyretic Productions in association with Crow’s Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design
André du Toit Public Consumption Lester Trips (Theatre) presented by Factory Theatre
Grisha Pasternak Romeo Pimp The King Black Box in partnership with One East Productions
Jareth Li, Kit Norman The Green Line In Arms Theatre Company and MENA Collective in association with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Factory Theatre
Mathilda Kane Concord Floral Pucker’s
Nick Blais Dance Nation Coal Mine Theatre and Outside the March in association with Rock Bottom Movement
Outstanding Sound Design / Composition
Dasha Plett take rimbaud The Howland Company in partnership with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Heidi Chan, Chris Pereira The Green Line In Arms Theatre Company and MENA Collective in association with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Factory Theatre
Miquelon Rodriguez Dance Nation Coal Mine Theatre and Outside the March in association with Rock Bottom Movement
Stephon Smith The Sankofa Trilogy: word! sound! powah! Watah Theatre presented by The Theatre Centre
The Company of The Drowsy Chaperone. Photo by Taylor Long.
2026 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Nominees
Musical Theatre Division
Outstanding Production
After the Rain Tarragon Theatre and The Musical Stage Company
Bright Star Garner Theatre Productions presented by Mirvish Productions
Narnia Soulpepper Theatre Company, Bad Hats Theatre, and Crow’s Theatre
Octet Crow’s Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre Company, and The Musical Stage Company
The Drowsy Chaperone Shifting Ground Collective
Outstanding New Musical
Fiona Sauder (Writer); Landon Doak (Composer); Matt Pilipiak (Dramaturg); Jonathan Corkal-Astorga (Music Supervisor/Arranger/Orchestrator); Victor Pokinko (Creative Producer) Narnia Soulpepper Theatre Company, Bad Hats Theatre, and Crow’s Theatre
Griffin Hewitt, with additional music by Juliette Jones Cyclops: A Satyr Play Talk Is Free Theatre and Panic Theatre
Rose Napoli, Suzy Wilde After the Rain Tarragon Theatre and The Musical Stage Company
Outstanding Creative Direction
Chris Abraham (Director); Cameron Carver (Choreographer); Ryan deSouza (Musical Director) Octet Crow’s Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre Company, and The Musical Stage Company
Fiona Sauder (Director), Matt Pilipiak, Cynthia Jimenez-Hicks (Associate Directors); Fiona Sauder, Rohan Dhupar (Co-Choreographers); Jonathan Corkal-Astorga (Musical Director) Narnia Soulpepper Theatre Company, Bad Hats Theatre, and Crow’s Theatre
Jacob Wolstencroft (Director); Lisa Goebel (Choreographer); Donna Garner (Musical Director) Bright Star Garner Theatre Productions presented by Mirvish Productions
Joshua רועי Kilimnik (Director); Mila Frumovitz (Assistant Director/Dramaturg); Shannon Murtagh (Choreographer); Jo O’Leary-Ponzo (Musical Director) The Drowsy Chaperone Shifting Ground Collective
Marie Farsi (Director); Rachel O’Brien (Musical Director) After the Rain Tarragon Theatre and The Musical Stage Company
Brandon McGibbon and Annika Tupper in After the Rain – A Canadian Musical from Tarragon Theatre & The Musical Stage Company. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
Outstanding Performance by an Individual
Andrew Penner After the Rain Tarragon Theatre and The Musical Stage Company
Annika Tupper After the Rain Tarragon Theatre and The Musical Stage Company
Damien Atkins Robin Hood Canadian Stage in association with the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres
Deborah Hay After the Rain Tarragon Theatre, and The Musical Stage Company
Ellen Denny Shrek The Musical Young People’s Theatre
Joema Frith Shrek The Musical Young People’s Theatre
Kaylee Harwood Bright Star Garner Theatre Productions presented by Mirvish Productions
Martin Julien The Drowsy Chaperone Shifting Ground Collective
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
The Ensemble of: Joe (Jojo) Bowden, Brandon McGibbon, Shaemus Swets, Suzy Wilde After the Rain Tarragon Theatre and The Musical Stage Company
The Ensemble of: Scott Carmichael, Randy Lei Chang, Beau Dixon, Nick Dolan, Rita Dottor, Donna Garner, Leah Grandmont, Jonathan Gysbers, Andrew Legg, Marie Mahabal Hauer, Yunike Soedarmasto, Brendan Wall Bright Star Garner Theatre Productions presented by Mirvish Productions
The Ensemble of: Jonathan Corkal-Astorga, Belinda Corpuz, Justin Eddy, James Daly, Landon Doak, Sierra Haynes, Matthew Joseph, Matt Pilipiak, Jonathan Tan, Amaka Umeh, Astrid Van Wieren Narnia Soulpepper Theatre Company, Bad Hats Theatre, and Crow’s Theatre
The Ensemble of: Damien Atkins, Alicia Ault, Andrew Broderick, Ben Carlson, Hailey Gillis, Zorana Sadiq, Jacqueline Thair, Giles Tomkins Octet Crow’s Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre Company, and The Musical Stage Company
The Ensemble of: Joshua רועי Kilimnik, Diana Del Rosario, Misha Sharivker tick, tick… BOOM! Bowtie Productions
Outstanding Achievement in Design
Imogen Wilson (Lighting) Octet Crow’s Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre Company, and The Musical Stage Company
Joshua Quinlan (Scenic) Octet Crow’s Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre Company, and The Musical Stage Company
Nathan Bruce (Projection) Octet Crow’s Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre Company, and The Musical Stage Company
Olivia Wheeler (Sound) Octet Crow’s Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre Company, and The Musical Stage Company
Shannon Lea Doyle (Scenic) Narnia Soulpepper Theatre Company, Bad Hats Theatre, and Crow’s Theatre
2026 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Nominees
Opera Division
Outstanding Production
Bluebeard’s Castle / Erwartung Canadian Opera Company
Canuck Cantatas Against the Grain Theatre
LOL: Laughing Out Lonely OPE–N presented by Tapestry Opera
Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company co-production with Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Fondazione Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Opéra Royal Château de Versailles Spectacles, and Lyric Opera of Chicago
Rigoletto Canadian Opera Company co-production with English National Opera
Outstanding New Opera
Ryan Trew, Rachel Krehm Come Closer Opera 5
Rebecca Gray, Saman Shahi, Roydon Tse, Keith Klassen, Prokhor Protasoff (Composers); Rachel Gray, Sarah Henstra, Christene Adina Browne, Keith Klassen (Writers) Tapestry Briefs: Under Where Tapestry Opera
Danika Lorèn, Sarah Slean, Spencer Kryzanowski (Composers); Royce Vavrek, Vern Thiessen, Emma Pennell (Librettists) Canuck Cantatas Against the Grain Theatre
Outstanding Creative Direction
Alain Gauthier (Director); Johannes Debus (Musical Director) Werther Canadian Opera Company co-production with Opéra de Montréal and Vancouver Opera
Christophe Gayral (Revival Director), based on the original direction of Robert Carsen; Bernard Labadie (Musical Director) Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company co-production with Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Fondazione Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Opéra Royal Château de Versailles Spectacles, and Lyric Opera of Chicago
François Racine (Revival Director) based on the original by Robert Lepage; Johannes Debus (Musical Director) Bluebeard’s Castle / Erwartung Canadian Opera Company
Jennifer Nichols (Director); Spencer Kryzanowski (Musical Director) Canuck Cantatas Against the Grain Theatre
Louise Beck (Director) LOL: Laughing Out Lonely OPE–N presented by Tapestry Opera
Outstanding Performance by an Individual
Anna-Sophie Neher Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company co-production with Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Fondazione Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Opéra Royal Château de Versailles Spectacles, and Lyric Opera of Chicago
Iestyn Davies Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company co-production with Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Fondazione Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Opéra Royal Château de Versailles Spectacles, and Lyric Opera of Chicago
Midori Marsh Sanctuary Song Tapestry Opera
Morten Grove Frandsen LOL: Laughing Out Lonely OPE–N presented by Tapestry Opera
Quinn Kelsey Rigoletto Canadian Opera Company co-production with English National Opera
Russell Thomas Werther Canadian Opera Company co-production with Opéra de Montréal and Vancouver Opera
Sarah Dufresne Rigoletto Canadian Opera Company co-production with English National Opera
Victoria Karkacheva Werther Canadian Opera Company co-production with Opéra de Montréal and Vancouver Opera
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
The Ensemble of: Rachel Krehm, Jacqueline Woodley Come Closer Opera 5
The Ensemble of: Canadian Opera Company Chorus Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company co-production with Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Fondazione Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Opéra Royal Château de Versailles Spectacles, and Lyric Opera of Chicago
The Ensemble of: Canadian Opera Company Chorus Rigoletto Canadian Opera Company co-production with English National Opera
The Ensemble of: Adanya Dunn, Keith Klassen, Reilly Nelson, Jorell Williams Tapestry Briefs: Under Where Tapestry Opera
The Ensemble of: Canadian Opera Company Chorus The Barber of Seville Canadian Opera Company co-production with Houston Grand Opera, Opéra National de Bordeaux, and Opera Australia
Outstanding Achievement in Design
Matilde Böcher and Asger Kudahl (Sound/Composition) LOL: Laughing Out Lonely OPE–N presented by Tapestry Opera
Michael Levine (Scenic) Bluebeard’s Castle / Erwartung Canadian Opera Company
Peter van Praet (Lighting), based on the original design of Robert Carsen Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company co-production with Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Fondazione Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Opéra Royal Château de Versailles Spectacles, and Lyric Opera of Chicago
Robert Thomson (Lighting) Bluebeard’s Castle / Erwartung Canadian Opera Company
Tobias Hoheisel (Scenic) Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company co-production with Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Fondazione Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Opéra Royal Château de Versailles Spectacles, and Lyric Opera of Chicago
Amy Lee and David Andrew Reid in YPT’s Love You Forever And More Munsch. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
2026 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Nominees
Theatre for Young Audiences Division
Outstanding Production
Guardians of the Gods Theatre Direct
Love You Forever… And More Munsch Young People’s Theatre
She Holds Up the Stars Red Sky Performance
The Mush Hole Young People’s Theatre presents Kaha:wi Dance Theatre
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show TheatreTO
Outstanding New Play
Arman Bartis, Leena El Hilali, Mohammad Elnakoury, Émilie Leis, Sophie Massicotte, Jenny Brizard, François Macdonald, Merlin Simard Les Zinspiré·e·s : À la lumière des 13 Lunes Théâtre français de Toronto
Beryl Bain The Flight Roseneath Theatre
George F. Walker Syndrome Theatre Direct
Rick Miller, Craig Francis HANS: My Life in Fairy Tales WYRD Productions and Kidoons in association with The 20K Collective, presented by the Luminato Festival
Sandra Laronde She Holds Up the Stars Red Sky Performance
Outstanding Direction
Mike Peterson The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show TheatreTO
Robert Morgan Morgan’s Journey Roseneath Theatre
Sandra Laronde She Holds Up the Stars Red Sky Performance
Stephen Colella, Karen Gilodo Love You Forever… And More Munsch Young People’s Theatre
Outstanding Performance by an Individual
Beryl Bain The Flight Roseneath Theatre
Julia Davis She Holds Up the Stars Red Sky Performance
Madeleine Brown Syndrome Theatre Direct
Marsha Knight She Holds Up the Stars Red Sky Performance
Mike Shara She Holds Up the Stars Red Sky Performance
Morgan St. Onge Morgan’s Journey Roseneath Theatre
Sarah McVie Syndrome Theatre Direct
Tony Perpuse Syndrome Theatre Direct
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
The Ensemble of: Deanna Jones, Rob Feetham Guardians of the Gods Theatre Direct
The Ensemble of: David Andrew Reid, Amy Lee, Megan Murphy Love You Forever… And More Munsch Young People’s Theatre
The Ensemble of: Dayna Tietzen, Troy Feldman, Brad Cook She Holds Up the Stars Red Sky Performance
The Ensemble of: Kali Kennedy Bomberry, Falciony Patiño, Katie Couchie, Montana Summers, Santee Smith The Mush Hole Young People’s Theatre presents Kaha:wi Dance Theatre
The Ensemble of: Jessica Watters, Astrid Atherly, Christopher Lyon, Peter Mundell The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show TheatreTO
Outstanding Achievement in Design
Amanda Wong (Scenic) Syndrome Theatre Direct
Andy Moro (Scenic) The Mush Hole Young People’s Theatre presents Kaha:wi Dance Theatre
Jesse Zubot (Sound Composition/Arrangement), Adrian Dion Harjo (Additional Composition) The Mush Hole Young People’s Theatre presents Kaha:wi Dance Theatre
Nick Barnes (Puppetry) She Holds Up the Stars Red Sky Performance
Robin Fisher (Scenic) Love You Forever… And More Munsch Young People’s Theatre
Make Banana Cry. Photo by Manuel Vasson of Andrew Tay, visual art installation by Dominique Pétrin, costumes + styling by Andrew Tay, Stephen Thompson, Dominique Pétrin, and performers, lighting design by Öykü Önder.
2026 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Nominees
Dance Division
Outstanding Production
Be the Bird (dance: made in / fait au canada Festival, Wolfe Series) princess productions
Make Banana Cry Toronto Dance Theatre in partnership with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Reverence (Adieu Mixed Programme) The National Ballet of Canada
The Room Upstairs Presented by DanceWorks and Toronto Dance Theatre + co-produced by DanceWorks and Holla Jazz in collaboration with Toronto Dance Theatre
ZAYO dance Immersion & Esie Mensah Creations, in association with TO Live
Outstanding Original Choreography
Alyssa Martin Be the Bird (dance: made in / fait au canada Festival, Wolfe Series) princess productions
Esie Mensah ZAYO dance Immersion & Esie Mensah Creations in association with TO Live
Ethan Colangelo Reverence (Adieu Mixed Programme) The National Ballet of Canada
Katie Adams-Gossage gutted (Intimate Pairings: Program 2) Katie Adams-Gossage presented by Fall for Dance North and Citadel + Compagnie
Natasha Powell The Room Upstairs Presented by DanceWorks and Toronto Dance Theatre + co-produced by DanceWorks and Holla Jazz in collaboration with Toronto Dance Theatre
Outstanding Original Sound Composition
Ben Waters Reverence (Adieu Mixed Programme) The National Ballet of Canada
Dante Green Be the Bird (dance: made in / fait au canada Festival, Wolfe Series) princess productions
Gaute Tønder Sand Flight Toronto Dance Theatre
Kishan Patel Aakarsh (dance: made in / fait au canada Festival, Morrison Series) princess productions
Caroline Planté Armonia Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company
Outstanding Performance by an Individual
Andrea Nann Firehorse and Shadow Citadel + Compagnie co-produced by Dreamwalker Dance Company
Annie Katsura Rollins Firehorse and Shadow Citadel + Compagnie co-produced by Dreamwalker Dance Company
Frédérique Perron gutted (Intimate Pairings: Program 2) Katie Adams-Gossage presented by Fall for Dance North and Citadel + Compagnie
Lukas Malkowski Microphone Controller Citadel + Compagnie
Miyeko Ferguson if then (MIGHTY DANCES IN A small SPACE) VideoCabaret
Rose-Mary Harbans ZAYO dance Immersion & Esie Mensah Creations in association with TO Live
Tanveer Alam Aakarsh (dance: made in / fait au canada Festival, Morrison Series) princess productions
Viv Moore Pull Up Your Socks Viv Moore
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
The Ensemble of: Riley Berger, Drew Berry, Ethan Bracken, Brayden Jamil Cairns, Chloe Cha, Reese de Guzman, Sam Grist, Spencer Hack, Steph Harkness, Kate Kolo, Atira Santosh, Natasha Poon Woo Be the Bird (dance: made in / fait au canada Festival, Wolfe Series) princess productions
The Ensemble of: Stephen Thompson, Cynthia Koppe, Francesca Chudnoff, Hanako Hoshimi-Caines, Sehyoung Lee, Winnie Ho Make Banana Cry Toronto Dance Theatre in partnership with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
The Ensemble of: Alexander Bozinoff, Jason Ferro, Hannah Galway, Christopher Gerty, Albjon Gjorllaku, Selene Guerrero-Trujillo, Spencer Hack, Monika Haczkiewicz, Josh Hall, Connor Hamilton, Isabella Kinch, Tirion Law, Keaton Leier, Arielle Miralles, Shaakir Muhammad, Siphesihle November, Chase O’Connell, Emma Ouellet, Matthieu Pagès, Noah Parets, Genevieve Penn Nabity, David Preciado, Ben Rudisin, Kota Sato, Jenna Savella, Calley Skalnik, Alexander Skinner, Donald Thom, Aidan Tully, Tene Ward, Oliver Yonick, Ana Zamora, Rachel Wilson, Alex Hetherington, Coleman Itzkoff Procession The National Ballet of Canada
The Ensemble of: Caroline “Lady C” Fraser, Hollywood Jade, Miha Matevzic, Raoul Wilke The Room Upstairs Presented by DanceWorks and Toronto Dance Theatre + co-produced by DanceWorks and Holla Jazz in collaboration with Toronto Dance Theatre
The Ensemble of: Esie Mensah, Kwasi Obeng-Adjei, Monique Pascall, Eilish 미정 Shin-Culhane, JA.Marie ZAYO dance Immersion & Esie Mensah Creations in association with TO Live
Outstanding Achievement in Design
Dominique Pétrin (Scenic) Make Banana Cry Toronto Dance Theatre in partnership with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Ingri Fiksdal, Jonas Corell Petersen (Scenic) Sand Flight Toronto Dance Theatre
Jeff Logue (Lighting) Reverence (Adieu Mixed Programme) The National Ballet of Canada
Simon Rossiter (Lighting) ZAYO dance Immersion & Esie Mensah Creations in association with TO Live
Theo Belc (Lighting) gutted (Intimate Pairings: Program 2) Katie Adams-Gossage presented by Fall for Dance North and Citadel + Compagnie
Olivier Normand in Robert Lepage’s The Far Side of the Moon. Photos: Li Wang.
2026 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Nominees
Touring & Innovation
Outstanding Touring Production
Aves (Citadel Dance Exchange – Programme 1) Citadel + Compagnie
Hamlet Luminato Festival
Michel(le) Théâtre La Seizième presented by Théâtre français de Toronto
The Far Side of the Moon Ex Machina presented by Canadian Stage
What the Day Owes to the Night Luminato Festival
Outstanding Innovative Experience
The Haunting UnSpun Theatre
For more information on TAPA and the Doras, click here.

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