The 2019-2020 METAs

In a theatre season devastated by Covid, there is still lots to celebrate! 

November 29, 2020 will go down in the Montreal English Theatre Awards (METAs) history books as the most challenging since its 2012 inception. A never-before-attempted online ceremony to honour the past year’s theatrical achievements didn’t stop the volunteer committee from creating an entertaining gala celebration full of surprises, where “all the stars were out” … virtually! 

Centaur staff watch the ceremony together on zoom.

Directed by Jen Viens, the 8th METAs ceremony was streamed live from the Geordie Theatre premises, and hosted by Justin Johnson and Adam Capriolo. Despite the shortened season, a significant number of productions were fully realized prior to the widespread cancellations. Twenty-five theatre professionals on the jury assessed seventeen professional productions by thirteen companies across sixteen categories. 

Rehearsal for the live stream . Photo courtesy of METAs.

All three of our main stage productions that we were able to present in the “cut-short Covid” season were nominated for various awards and we are very proud to receive the following:

Outstanding Supporting Performance – Actress: Julie Tamiko Manning in Paradise Lost 
Jake Wilkenson and Julie Tamiko Manning, Paradise Lost. Centaur Theatre January 2020. Photo Andrée Lanthier.
Outstanding Leading Performance – Actor: Matthew Kabwe in MOB
a man and a woman talk on a bench
Matthew Kabwe and Adrianne Richards, MOB. Centaur Theatre March 2020. Photo Andrée Lanthier.

A standing ovation for the METAC (METAs Committee) for going above and beyond to create a festive atmosphere, bringing levity and hope to the artists who long for the smell of greasepaint and to the audiences eagerly waiting for the lights to dim and the show to begin again. 

Hearty congratulations to all of this year’s METAs nominees and winners, and to the special UHOT (Unsung Hero of the Theatre) and EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) honourees: Patrick Lloyd Brennan (a former Centaur Theatre staff member!), and Imago’s Artista mentorship program for young women respectively. 

If you missed the ceremony, no worries. Break out the bubbly and visit the METAs YouTube page to watch.