Actress in a lead role

A Jamaican reminiscing about life on the Rock, a White Witch, two BFF's and a bespectacled high-strung office worker make up an intriguing blend of characters earning this year's nominees the nod for actress in a lead role.

Debra Ehrhardt: After years of industry rejection in the USA, Debra Ehrhardt decided to carve her own path by putting pen to paper and performing her own one-woman plays.

Jamaica Farewell tells the story of Debra's journey from Jamaica to the USA during the 1970's reliving the social upheaval during that period through the lens of a young woman and her family. Ehrhardt effectively masters voice modulation, gait and carriage to portray a slew of characters including her mother, her father, a brothel madam, herself at varying ages as well as a Central Intelligence Agency operative.

A playwright and actress for almost two decades, she has had the opportunity to perform Jamaica Farewell multiple times, however, the success of the show overseas has not negated her gratitude for the nomination. "I have received awards and accolades from numerous international entities. But, and I say but, nothing compares to the satisfaction I get when I know my work has been recognised and accepted by my fellow Jamaicans, people whom I relate with. I'm sincerely grateful for that!"

Maylynne Lowe: Some say she was born to play the role and based on her outstanding portrayal of Annie Palmer in the musical White Witch, Maylynne Lowe has proven them right. Lowe not only looked the part, but brought to life a more human side of one of the most notoriously treacherous women in Jamaican history.

Lowe exposes Palmer, infamous for her vindictive and evil ways, as a graceful and elegant woman who at the core of it was as much driven by the need for love as she was by the need for revenge. A five time ABA nominee, it's a role Lowe has always dreamed of playing having read so much literature about Palmer and she says she is really happy and honoured to be recognised for her work once again.

Deon Silvera: As the naive but no-nonsense Janet Smith, Deon Silvera is at the top of her game in Judgement with a performance that has reclaimed her placing as one of the leading ladies of local theatre.

Janet is unknowingly thrown into a deadly game of revenge because of her best friend Sasha and must look beyond the betrayal in order to preserve their friendship. Manoeuvring her way through highly dramatic moments as competently as the extremely comic ones, Silvera serves up a theatrical feast guaranteed to engage audiences night after night.

It's not the typical role for Silvera which makes her love for it even stronger, as she believes it has given her an opportunity to showcase the depth of her skills. A multiple nominee and winner of the award over a decade ago for her performance in Ecstasy, Silvera is grateful that the consistency of her work has been noted time and time again.

Dahlia Harris: In Judgement, Harris plays the boisterous Sasha Baker, a happy-go-lucky hustler obsessed with acquiring the finer things in life. In her quest, she has burnt many bridges and just when she thinks life is all good her dark past resurfaces, forcing her to choose between loyalty to her best friend or self preservation. Harris provides a wonderful balance of toughness and heart, shaping a character that is as delightfully comical as she is startlingly intense. Audiences are therefore allowed to love Sasha not necessarily for the choices she makes, but because she is human. Already an ABA winner in this category for her role in Concubine, Harris is delighted at not only being nominated, but for being selected with this grouping of extremely talented women.

Rishelle Bellamy-Pelicie: A four-time ABA nominee, Richelle Bellamy-Pelicie is known for crafting engrossing characters. This time round she displays great vocal and physical command to steal the show as the very colourful Miss Patience in Appropriate Behaviour. Miss Patience draws the line as far as work ethic and discipline are considered, quickly berating those who fail to observe proper office decorum. A spiteful practical joke sees her engaging in the most 'inappropriate behaviour' of them all.

Bellamy-Pelicie provides side-splitting humour throughout in a performance that leaves you full days after the show. She believes that the ABA has tremendous potential to build the local theatre community and is appreciative of the recognition.