The national Australian Performing Arts Centres Association (APACA) award is all the more prestigious because nominations are made by professional producing companies who undertake large-scale national tours rather than venues nominating themselves. 

These producers work closely with venues all over Australia, so it is a great honour for MidCoast Council for them to have chosen its Manning Entertainment Centre as amongst the best.

The award recognises the venue that provides consistent outstanding production, marketing and management services.

In addition to this, the award will also take into account exceptional success in audience development and community engagement.

The Manning Entertainment Centre is one of four finalists and is up against the Orange Civic Theatre, Bendigo’s Capital Venues and Events and the Cairns Civic Theatre.

The winner will be announced at the annual APACA conference in Melbourne on September 1.

APACA executive director Rick Heath acknowledged the high calibre of finalists in this year’s awards.

“This year’s award was one of the hardest to determine in the eight years I’ve been involved and the assessment panel of expert producers and tour managers from around the country were profuse with their praise for all finalists,” he said.

Manning Entertainment Centre theatre manager Jeremy Miller is thrilled the MEC has received its first Drover Award nomination.

“This is the culmination of a five year strategy to improve our technical production and marketing capabilities. By engaging closely with our local audiences and working collaboratively with producers, we are proud to present consistently outstanding theatre experiences in our region,” he said.

Manning Entertainment Centre is committed to providing the best live theatre and entertainment on the Mid North Coast. More details at www.apaca.com.au