Wellington’s diligent theatre critics have narrowed down the year's best and brightest theatre shows from 100 eligible productions to three nominees in each of the 18 award categories for the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards 2010.

The Awards ceremony is at the Wellington Opera House, Sunday December 5.

* Nominees are listed alphabetically 

 BRANCOTT AWARD FOR MOST ORIGINAL PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
1 360 - A Nightsong Productions and Theatre Stampede collaboration
2 The Arrival - Red Leap Theatre Company
3 Gene Pool -  Hoi Polloi
 
 Downstage Theatre Award for the Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year
1 Jackson Coe - Shipwrecked! An Entertainment:
2 Ralph McCubbin-Howell - Katydid
3 Paul Waggott - Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead
 
 Circa Award Donated by Tact for the Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year
1 Ella Becroft - The Arrival
2 Alex Lodge - Tea for Toot
3 Cian Elyse White - Mo and Jess Kill Susie
 
 Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School & Victoria University of Wellington Award for Most Promising Director of the Year
1 Charlotte Bradley - Katydid
2 Lara MacGregor - My Name is Rachel Corrie
3 Phoebe Smith - Skungpoomery
 
 The Theatre Awards Trust Award for Costume Designer of the Year
1 Paul Jenden - The NERO Show
2 Brian King - The Great Gatsby
3 Elizabeth Whiting -The Arrival
 
 Grouse Lighting Award for Lighting Designer of the Year
1 Jeremy Fern - The Arrival
2 Jennifer Lal - The December Brother
3 Nathan McKendry - End Game
 
 Weta Workshop Award for Set Designer of the Year
1 Ulli Briese - Ninety
2 Brian King - End Game
3 John Verryt - The Arrival
 
 THE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY AWARD FOR SOUND DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
1 Gil Eva Craig - The December Brother
2 John Gibson - 360
3 Thomas Press - Doors. Walls. And Also Silence
 
 Constance Scott Kirkcaldie Award for Outstanding Composer of Music
1 Gareth Farr - The NERO Show
2 Tane Upjohn-Beatson – Katydid
3 David Ward - The Guru of Chai
 
 Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year Sponsored by Bats Theatre & Taki Rua Productions
1 Lucy O'Brien - Katydid
2 Anya Tate-Manning - Pirates Vs Ninjas
3 Alex Lodge/Cherie Jacobson/Ed Watson - Tea for Toot
 
 THE PLAYMARKET/CAPITAL E – NATIONAL THEATRE FOR CHILDREN – OUTSTANDING NEW NEW ZEALAND PLAY OF THE YEAR
1 The Guru of Chai - Jacob Rajan, Justin Lewis
2 Katydid - Lucy O'Brien
3 The Second Test - Jonathan Brugh
 
 The Orbit Corporate Travel Award for Supporting Actress of the Year
1 Darlene Mohekey - Shipwrecked! An Entertainment:
2 Rachel More - Katydid 
3 Lyndee-Jane Rutherford - Mauritius
 
 Chapman Tripp Award for Supporting Actor of the Year
1 Christopher Brougham - Dead Man's Cell Phone
2 Aaron Cortesi - Mark Twain and me in Mâoriland
3 Tim Gordon - The Letter Writer
 
 Seven Nominees for these four categories:

 Eat Wellington Accolade for Outstanding Performance
 SHOWCAST ACCOLADE FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
 Chapman Tripp Theatre Award for Actress of the Year
 THE PROACTORS AND GAIL COWAN MANAGEMENT AWARD FOR ACTOR OF THE YEAR

1 Nick Blake - Shipwrecked! An Entertainment:
2 Christopher Brougham - Me and Robert McKee 
3 Simon Ferry - Lullaby Jock
4 Peter Hambleton - Letter Writer
5 Sophie Hambleton - Katydid
6 Miranda Manasiadis - The Great Gatsby
7 Jacob Rajan -The Guru of Chai
 
 The Museum Hotel Award for Director of the Year
1 Justin Lewis - The Guru of Chai 
2 Julie Nolan - The Arrival
3 Juliet O’Brien - Letter Writer
 
 Chapman Tripp Award for Production of the Year
1 The Arrival - Red Leap Theatre Company
2 The Guru of Chai - Indian Ink
3 The Letter Writer - Circa Theatre