Rejean Cournoyer and Ellen Page were the big winners at the ACTRA Maritimes Awards in Halifax, taking home the prizes for outstanding performance by a male and female.

Cournoyer won for his role in the feature The Event, a drama from director Thom Fitzgerald (The Wild Dogs) that tells the story of mysterious murders in a gay New York community. Cournoyer, a prolific stage performer, was also nominated for the feature Dragonwheel and the CBC series Rideau Hall.

At the tender age of 16, Page received the nod for her turn in the feature Marion Bridge, helmed by first-time feature director Wiebke von Carolsfeld from the play by Daniel MacIvor. Page’s credits include the series Pit Pony, which earned her a Gemini nom for performance in a children’s or youth series, and she has also acted among the Gemini-nominated ensemble of Trailer Park Boys. Feature roles include ghost.com, Touch and Go and Love That Boy. Page, working in Montreal, sent a taped acceptance speech.

Jamie Bradley took home the night’s Award of Excellence. A performer, puppeteer, writer and director renowned for his improv comedy, Bradley was one of the original cast members of the CBC series Street Cents. He has also appeared in numerous series, films and MOWs, and has been actively involved with ACTRA for years. He currently sits as Maritimes rep and national treasurer on the organization’s national council.

The ACTRA Awards were re-introduced as part of the organization’s 60th anniversary. The ceremony, hosted by Jeremy Webb (Pit Pony), was held May 10 at the Lord Nelson Hotel and featured ACTRA national president Thor Bishopric and performer Bill Forbes (Bird in the House) presenting the awards.

-www.actramaritimes.ca