Winners of the 2026 Val Millward Awards - Kids from Crigg
Presentation of the awards took place on Saturday 14th February 2026 during our sell out productions of Frozen Jr.
We are both proud, and honoured that we are able to make these awards annually in honour of the wonderful Val Millward, who would have been delighted to see the continued success of The Kids From Crigg, and we are hugely grateful to Martin for his continued support of the Kids, allowing them to grow and to thrive, and to go from strength to strength each year.
And so, a massive congratulations to our three 2026 winners, all shining examples of what it means to be part of our theatre family!
Junior Award - Polly Howarth
Small and mighty, this junior performer has made her debut with Kids from Crigg for this show and has certainly made an impression! Her presence on stage shines, and her beautiful smile reaches every corner of the room.
This child has worked so hard to learn songs and dances and has been a delight to work with throughout the rehearsal period and we all genuinely believe she will be a force to be reckoned with and have a big part to play in Crigg’s future!
Off stage, she is a lovey child, polite and respectful, but always funny and bubbly, she genuinely brings light into any room she enters.
Congratulations Polly on your first show, you are a star in the making.
Senior Award - Isabella Muncanda
What a transformation we’ve seen in this performer over the last 3 years! It doesn’t seem two minutes since she was too shy to stands close to a ‘boy’ or too nervous to really go for those big notes!
But how things have changed! This performer’s confidence has grown immeasurably. With a strong, beautiful voice that reaches out across the auditorium, the ability not to take herself too seriously, to be able convey both strength and vulnerability at the same time, and a knack for being able to extract humour in her lines as well as her physical performance, this accomplished all rounder has really proven her talents during Frozen Jr.
Her interactions with her fellow cast members are authentic and touching, and off stage she’s loved by everyone for her humour, kindness and hard work.
We are unbelievably proud of how far you’ve come, and can’t wait to see what lies in store for you next.
Well done Isabella, you deserve this.
Overall Winner of the Val Millward Award -
Jess Homes
Being able to watch this performer grow and develop over the last few shows has been nothing short of a delight and a privilege!
This senior has taken on a challenging role for Frozen Jr, but her superb characterisation, impeccable comic timing and iconic facial expressions are just a few of the attributes that have made her a stand out performer for this show.
She was one of the very first people to have learned all her lines, and it’s clear to see to anyone watching the amount of hard work she has put into this show, not just at rehearsals but also at home.
It’s a pleasure to watch her perform, she brings everyone around her up a level when she’s on stage, and is always willing to try something new and give it her all.
We only hope that you will continue your journey with us from the Kids from Crigg into our senior society when the time comes.
Congratulations Jess, your natural talent is second only to your kind and effervescent personality.