Lexi nominated for Best Youth Actress

Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society is excited to announce one of their young actresses has been nominated for a Canberra Area Theatre Award. Lexi Herden, from Forbes, played Annie in Parkes M and D's production of Annie the Musical earlier this year. Her outstanding performance in this production saw her nominated for Best Youth Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. This was Lexi's first production outside of school and her first lead role so she was thrilled to hear the good news. "It's pretty special because I wasn't expecting to get it, it means a lot," Lexi said. Director of Annie the Musical and President of Parkes M and D, Lyn Townsend, was also excited to hear the news. "It is so well deserved, Lexi is a star of the future there's no doubt about that and she's put in such a great performance in Annie and really pulled the whole production together," Ms Townsend said. "For her to get this nomination is just a reward for the effort she puts in, she's a fantastic performer but she's also an absolutely beautiful young lady. I'm so happy for her." In Lexi's category she has been nominated alongside junior actresses from Wagga Wagga, Canberra, Wollongong and Bathurst. Lexi started taking performing seriously in Year 6 when she played Scuttle in the Parkes Christian Schools production of The Little Mermaid. Before this she had participated in a few little school productions but this production really set it in motion for the young actress. "I love everything about performing, the thrill of just working towards and having a goal, meeting new people and learning new skills." Now in Year 9, Lexi recalls her greatest achievement so far in her performing journey to be her involvement with Annie the Musical. "Annie was phenomenal to say the least, it was amazing and so much fun, and it was my first production out of school." Lexi hopes to do a lot of Disney shows in the future and complete a degree in singing or theatre after school. Senior nominations for the CAT awards will be announced next month so make sure to keep an eye out on Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society's Facebook page for any exciting announcements. The winners for each category will be announced on February 15 next year in Queanbeyan.