The Toronto alliance for the Performing Arts has announced the nominations for the 2026 Dora Mavor Moore Awards. There are 221 nominations across 44 gender-inclusive categories that cover the fields of theatre, opera, and dance.
The nominations are culled from 214 shows presented by 99 TAPA-registered companies. It’s the highest number of shows submitted for the awards since 2019, and an encouraging sign of post-pandemic recovery.
The Dora Awards ceremony takes place on Monday, June 29 at Toronto’s Meridian Hall, and will be hosted by actor Amaka Umeh. Umeh received their 9th and 10th Dora Award nomination for ensemble work in both Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary (Crow’s Theatre), and Narnia (Soulpepper Theatre Company, Bad Hats Theatre, and Crow’s Theatre).
The winners of TAPA ancillary awards were also announced at the June 1 press conference. Michael Caldwell was this year’s recipient of the George Luscombe Mentorship Award, recognizing his extraordinary mentorship in the performing arts, and designer Ashley Naomi as this year’s Pauline McGibbon Award recipient. The award recognizes an early stage artist who has demonstrated exceptional and unique talent.
The Ray Ferris Innovation and Sustainability Grant of $25,000 went to Clay and Paper Theatre in recognition of their innovations in theatrical design, and their efforts to promote environmental sustainability in live theatre.
Several productions garnered multiple nominations. In the theatre categories, they include:
In the dance categories:
In the opera categories:
The winners of two Dora Award categories were announced at the press conference. They include:
Here are some of the highlights of the 221 nominations. For a full list, you can check out the TAPA website.
Outstanding Production
Outstanding New Play
Outstanding Direction
Musical Theatre Division
Outstanding New Musical
Outstanding Production
Outstanding Performance by an Individual
Outstanding New Opera
Voting is now open for the annual Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award. The public can vote for their favourite show from the list of Outstanding Production nominees across all divisions, or they can write in their own, until June 22 at midnight.
The Dora Awards is Canada’s largest and oldest awards program. Tickets for the Dora Awards event are on sale now, with early bird pricing available until June 8.
Are you looking to promote an event? Have a news tip? Need to know the best events happening this weekend? Send us a note.
Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.
