Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards
People's Choice Award
Voting is now open to the public to choose their preferred recipient for the Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards 2025 ‘People’s Choice Award’.
The People’s Choice Award will be presented at the Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards in Theatre Royal on Sunday, March 2.
The Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards celebrate the diversity, scale, and quality of Waterford’s theatre, arts, and cultural scene.
During this glitzy awards season event in the Theatre Royal, the Green Room Award winners are revealed, alongside a highly entertaining variety show, putting Waterford talent in the spotlight.
-Waterford News & Star arts correspondent Pat McEvoy reviews more than 100 shows and events annually, with these performances seen by thousands of Waterford people who pack out the Theatre Royal, Garter Lane Theatre, and theatres and venues in Dungarvan, Tramore, Carrick-on-Suir, Portlaw, and beyond.
The scope of the awards encompasses musicals, drama, comedy, choral, panto, and much more, and all the roles therein.
They are as much about community as they are about the arts, reflecting how deeply embedded amateur theatre and performance is in Waterford.
The awards
There are over 30 awards covering hundreds of performances and roles, with upwards of 130 nominees – including entire drama and musical theatre companies, and large-scale performances.
The nominations shortlist is chosen based upon Pat McEvoy’s reviews during the year.
We also present an adjudicated Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as a People's Choice Award, chosen by the public from an adjudicated Waterford Theatre/Entertainment/Arts/Culture Group shortlist.
Our adjudication panel for both the Lifetime Achievement Award and the People’s Choice shortlist are representatives of Waterford theatre and arts, and Waterford media personnel, with in-depth knowledge of the vibrant Waterford arts and culture scene in our city and county.
And the nominees are…
The shortlisted nominations for the Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards are published by the Waterford News & Star in January, with the winners revealed during a spectacular variety show and awards ceremony at Theatre Royal in Waterford city in late February/ early March.
A proud Déise history
The history of theatre in Waterford is widely respected – from the Tops of the Town and the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera, to highly acclaimed Red Kettle and Spraoi.
At one stage all the major companies in Waterford participated in the Tops of the Town, with Bausch & Lomb, Rayban, and Waterford Crystal synonymous with Waterford entertainment and performance.
We draw upon this heritage in the Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards and through an exhibition on the night of the awards in the foyer of the Theatre Royal, featuring photos from the Waterford News & Star archives.
While the Tops of the Town might be long gone, the love of theatre is alive and thriving in Waterford.
Hundreds of Waterford people continue to participate in local theatre and the arts, supported by their families and friends. They come from all walks of life and business.
Thanks to our supporters
The Waterford News & Star is delighted to acknowledge its hugely valued supporters for their backing of the Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards. Special thanks to our co-lead sponsors Cantec Group and Waterford Credit Union.
Cantec Group is proud to sponsor the Waterford News and Star Green Room Awards, a prestigious event that celebrates the exceptional talent and diversity of Waterford’s theatre, arts, and culture.
“We are honoured to support and attend this celebration of creativity, which recognises the talent and passion that make Waterford a vibrant cultural hub,” said Eadaoin Carrick, Cantec Group.
Founded by Executive Chairperson Eadaoin Carrick and CEO Greg Tuohy's parents in Waterford in 1994, Cantec Group's journey began as a photocopier dealership.
From there, we've grown faster than a rumour at the office watercooler, through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Today, Cantec Group leads the pack in technology solutions.
Waterford Credit Union are delighted to support the Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards 2025.
“Waterford Credit Union pride ourselves on being an integral part of the local community and continuously strive to collaborate with community events throughout the year.
"It is great to be able to support in celebrating and honouring Waterford arts, theatre and culture at this year’s Green Room Awards,” said Jenny O’Mahony, Marketing and Business Development Officer.
“Wishing all of the entries the very best of luck, we can’t wait to see all the fantastic Waterford talent showcased at the awards.”
Waterford Credit Union is the oldest Credit Union in Waterford.
A modern and progressive credit union, it includes three conveniently located offices at Parnell Street, Upper Grange and Tramore, Waterford Credit Union are proud to be at the heart of the community since 1963, serving their loyal members and supporting many local businesses, clubs, groups and charities.
The Green Room Awards are also supported by Waterford City & County Council, FLI Group, Sanofi, Blackwater Distillery and Spraoi.
Waterford City & County Council are supporting the Green Room Awards as a way of celebrating the theatre, arts, and culture in Waterford city and county and highlighting the quality and diversity of talent in our city and county.
Waterford City & County Council are the authority responsible for local government administration in the City and County of Waterford.
Waterford’s FLI Group are delighted to support the Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards.
Founded by Michael Flynn with a focus on environmental protection, particularly through innovative geomembrane lining systems, the group has evolved and adapted to new challenges and opportunities. Today FLI Global operates as a specialist technical solutions provider, supporting both public and private sector clients worldwide.
Sanofi plays an active role in the Waterford community, and is delighted to support the Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards.
Developing and manufacturing healthcare solutions within many therapeutic areas, Sanofi combines science innovation with dedication and determination to champion better health outcomes for patients. It supports a range of programmes to promote study and careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.
Blackwater Distillery, a micro-distillery based in beautiful West Waterford on the banks of the Blackwater River, are delighted to support the Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards.
Established in 2014, in their 1950s converted hardware store in Ballyduff Village they make award-winning gins, vodka and small batch traditional pot still Irish whisky. Visit for tours, tastings, and masterclasses.
Spraoi, a long-time supporter of the Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards, is Ireland’s premiere summer street party.
Spraoi International Street Arts Festival transforms Ireland’s oldest city into a giant stage every August bank holiday weekend, where artists from around the world perform for free.
The festival attracts audiences of all ages with an exciting programme that culminates in the unforgettable Spraoi Festival Parade. Add Spraoi Festival to your diary now, and let family and friends know too!
Voting will close at 12 noon on Monday, February 24, 2025
