The 2025 National Secondary Schools’ Theatre Festival edition closed with a gala awards ceremony. The participants and organisers were treated to a red-carpet affair at Caribbean Cinemas on Saturday.

Jennings Secondary School’s The Duoen’s Embrace was a standout, winning seven awards in the theatrical segment. Playwright and director Centillia Browne was awarded Outstanding Director and Outstanding Original Script. The presentation also received the Most Outstanding Set Design and the Most Outstanding Ensemble Performance awards.  Jemoye Jeremy and Acoya Parker received the most outstanding improvisation male and female individual awards, respectively.

Ottos Comprehensive’s When Thunder Rolls captured Most Outstanding Sound Effects, Outstanding Lighting, and Most Outstanding Improvisation. Most Promising Actress was awarded to Kimora Simon, Best Actor to Najah Monford, and Best Supporting Actor to Shakeem Marshall. 

Princess Margaret School’s Pandemic of Mischief won Outstanding Costume and received individual awards for Best Actress – Makayla Nelson and Most Promising Actor – Calique Allyne. 

Rounding out the theatrical awards, the All Saints Secondary School’s Buried Beneath Her Name copped Best Stage Management and an individual award of Best Supporting Actress – Jashada Rose. Irene B Williams’ Stop Domestic Violence received the Spirit of the Festival Award.

In dance, the Sir Novel Richards Academy took Best Group Dance, Most Innovative Costume in Dance Group, Most Outstanding Make-Up, and Outstanding Choreography. Jekira Samuel of Sir Novel received the Most Promising Female Dancer award.

Ottos Comprehensive’s Nicholas Simpson was awarded the Most Promising Male Dancer award, and Kimora Simon received the Most Promising Female Dancer award. 

Antigua Girls High School won Outstanding Duet and Outstanding Solo (Nethania Slowe).

Bryan Nurse, dance instructor for AGHS and St Mary’s Secondary School, won the Instructors’ Improvisation dance off.

Rounding out the awards distributed was a Spirit of the Festival Tyrell Buckley award presented to the individual who volunteered, showed up, and most embodied Tyrell’s spirit and love of theatre. This award was presented to Vere Ferris Jr.

Congratulations to all in the winner’s circles. Special commendations are extended to all the schools that participated. The value of the National Secondary Schools Theatre Festival cannot be overstated.

We look forward to the 2026 edition! See you there!!