Pinehurst has celebrated an exciting milestone in musical theatre this week, with Year 13 student Ece D. winning Best Performer in a Lead Role (Musical, Group A) at the 2026 Auckland Live Showdown Awards, following an impressive 15 nominations for our production of Anastasia: The Musical.
Held at the Bruce Mason Theatre on Wednesday 21 October, the awards celebrate excellence in secondary school musical theatre across Auckland, recognising the performers, creative teams and technical expertise behind school productions.
This was Pinehurst’s second year participating in the Showdown Awards, making the breadth of nominations and Ece’s prestigious individual win particularly significant for our growing musical theatre programme.
Fifteen Nominations Across Performance and Production
Pinehurst’s production of Anastasia: The Musical received an outstanding 15 nominations, reflecting the breadth of talent, creativity and commitment involved in bringing the production to the stage. Our 2026 nominations were:
Performance Awards
- Best Performer in a Lead Role (Musical, Group A): Ece D. (Anya)
- Best Performer in a Lead Role (Musical, Group A): Zion F. (Dmitry)
- Best Performer in a Lead Role (Musical, Group B): Sofia B.K. (Anya)
- Best Performer in a Supporting Role (Musical, Group A): Katie L. (Dowager Empress)
- Best Performer in a Supporting Role (Musical, Group B): Jayden W. (Gleb)
- Best Performer in a Minor Role (Musical, Group A): Jeremy T. (Count Leopold)
Creative and Technical Awards
- Best Make-Up & Costume Design: Sarah Knox-Coupe, Julia Maunder, Stephanie Curtis, Emma Miller and Lisa Tobler
- Best Properties: Yvonne Berger and Sandie Waddel
- Best Lighting: Amelia Claridge and Sam Cunningham
- Best Sound: Sam Cunningham
- Best Stage Management: Genevieve McClean
- Best Musical Director: Hadley Ronayne
- Best Director of a Musical: Amelia Claridge
Production Awards
- Best Dance Performance: Cast of Anastasia: The Musical
- Outstanding Musical: Anastasia: The Musical
Together, these nominations recognised the collective effort behind the production, from the students performing on stage to the many people working behind the scenes to bring the story, music and performances together.
A Special Recognition for Ece
A highlight of the awards evening came when Ece D. was announced as the winner of Best Performer in a Lead Role (Musical, Group A) for her portrayal of Anya. The award was a wonderful recognition of Ece’s performance and the dedication she brought to one of the production’s central roles.
Celebrating the Whole Production
While Ece’s individual award was a highlight, the 15 nominations represent something equally important: the depth of talent, collaboration and creative commitment across the entire production.
A successful musical requires far more than the performers audiences see on stage. Musicians, directors, choreographers, stage managers, technical teams, costume and make-up contributors, and many others all play an essential part in bringing a production to life.
To receive recognition across so many different areas is a wonderful reflection of the work undertaken by our students and the staff who guided and supported them.
Congratulations to Ece on her award, to all our nominees, and to everyone involved in Anastasia: The Musical. In only our second year at the Auckland Live Showdown Awards, Pinehurst has much to celebrate, and we look forward to seeing our students continue to develop their talents both on stage and behind the scenes.
