"I proclaim this Dora Day". City Counsellor Kyle Rae quoted Mayor David Miller's sentiment towards yesterday's Dora Mavor Moore Awards Nominee's ceremony. The 68th floor of the BMO financial building was full of many of today's leading theatre aficionado's, who came to see who would be anointed the coveted Tony's of Toronto.

Susan Payne of BMO financial reiterated the importance of theatre to Toronto culture by saying that "...no area was more in tune with the social pulse than in the theatre".

Since 1978 the Dora Awards have awarded theatre professionals in dance, theatre, opera, theatre for young audiences, musical, and independent categories. What started then as 10 awards has expanded to 35 this year.

The Dora Awards were named after Dora Mavor Moore, a well loved teacher and director who helped establish Canadian professional theatre in the 1930's and 40's.

This year's honourees included Karen Kain, who was awarded the Barbara Hamilton Award and Andy McKim the George Luscombe Award. The rest of the nominees were read out by comedy duo the Rimoli Brothers.

Both Singkill, by Catherine Hernandez at Factory Theatre, and We Will Rock You by Ben Elton, were among the most honoured, receiving 7 nominations each respectively in the Independent theatre and Musical theatre categories. Shouts from Singkill nominated director Nina Lee Aquino saying, "Yay Asians" could be heard throughout the whole room. It was a joyous occasion for many. Many of the big theatres in the city were nominated including Tarragon Theatre, Theatre Passe Murraille, Factory Theatre, Mirvish Productions, Soulpepper Theatre Company, Canstage and Buddies In Bad Times theatre. The Canadian Opera company had four out of the five nominations for one category!!! Though many independent companies got their due as well.

The 28th annual Dora awards will be held at the Elgin Theatre June 25th and a full list of nominees can be found at The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts website and tickets are now on sale. Rick Miller of Bigger Than Jesus fame will host the awards.

Photo of Catherine Hernandez and Nina Lee Aquino