Zony 2026 Best Director of a Musical
Three people pose with iTICKET Zony Awards certificates and a trophy at an awards event.

Proud moments

Three people pose at the iTICKET Zony Awards, holding an award certificate and glass trophy.

Winner

Best Lightning 2026

Tick Tick…Boom!

Winner

Best Director of a Musical 2026

Tick Tick…Boom!

Black-and-white portrait of director Aadit Tandon in a white sweatshirt, with Trick Trick Boom logo on a yellow background

Proud moments

Tick tick Boom…!

ZONYS 2026 Nominations

Nominated for :

  1. Best Set

  2. Best Lighting

  3. Best Staging of a Musical

  4. Best Direction

  5. Best Musical

Something Rotten! creative team poster featuring Director and Musical Director Elise Rohde, Vocal Coach Gayle Spence, Choreographer Kaitlyn Weaver, and Assistant Director Aadir Tandon.

Something ROTTEN!

ZONYS 2026 Nominations

Nominated for :

  1. Best Ensemble

  2. Best Staging of Musical

  3. Best Musical

Three National Young Performer Award winners pose on a podium holding certificates, flowers, and wearing blue award sashes.

Winner, Speech and Drama

National Young Performer Awards New Zealand, 2025

Three National Young Performer Awards finalists pose on a podium in a theater, with the winner holding a trophy and flowers.

Third, Musical Theatre

National Young Performer Awards New Zealand, 2025

Fame Jr. Creative Team graphic featuring AADIT TANDON as Director with his portrait

Nominee for Best Youth Show (Fame 2025)

Zony Awards 2025

Fame Won: Best Female Youth in a Production

Fame Won: Best Supporting Ensemble in a Youth Production

Three people pose in an auditorium, with the center person holding a certificate and the person on the right holding a trophy.
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Winner@Regionals

Shakespeare Global Centre New Zealand 2024

Winner@Nationals

Globe Theatre, London, 2025

Youth Shakespeare Company 2025

Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand

School theater performers in uniforms surround a seated student on a brightly lit stage beneath a chalkboard reading “GUILTY.”

Nominee

Best Supporting Actor

Bruce Bogtrotter, Matilda the Musical

Zony Awards, 2024

Costumed performer in a striped shirt, red suspenders, and blue pants holds a sword overhead during a stage performance

Winner

Best Supporting Actor, Youth Production

Smee, Peter Pan Junior Musical

Zony Awards, 2023

Smiling award winner in a black suit holding a trophy on a first-place podium in a theater

  • 2026 Herring Trophy, Outstanding Commitment in Performing Arts, Year 13, Otūmoetai College

  • 2026 Blues Award, Creative Arts, Outstanding Commitment and Excellence in Music, Year 13, Otūmoetai College

  • 2026 Blues Award, Creative Arts, Outstanding Commitment and Excellence in Drama, Year 13, Otūmoetai College

  • 2025 Gold Awards, Youth Ambassador Speech and Drama New Zealand

  • 2024 Winner: Speech and Drama and Musical Theatre, Performing Arts Society, Bay of Plenty

  • 2023    Winner: Musical Theatre, Performing Arts Society, Bay of Plenty   

  • 2022    Winner : Prose, Drama, Light Verse, Shakespeare, Performing Arts Society, Bay of Plenty

  • 2021    Award for the Highest Achievement in Arts In Year 7

  • 2021    Principal’s Drama Award Year 7

  • 2021    Winner: Most entertaining individual, Performing Arts Society, Bay of Plenty

  • 2021    Winner: Improvisation, Pros, Reading at Sight, Light Verse, Performing Arts Society, Bay of Plenty

  • 2019    Winner: Performing Arts, Performing Arts Society, Bay of Plenty  

What People Are Saying

  • Two performers in white Olympic-ring costumes stand onstage with a wooden folding chair during a theatrical performance.

    “Aadit is a budding talent with a great attitude combined with tenacity and an extensive skill set that includes excellent comedic timing and dramatic depth.”

    Director, Matilda The Musical, Tauranga Musical Theare, 2023

  • Black-and-white headshot of Adit Tandon, who plays Donkey in a Shrek Jr. production.

    I was more impressed by his teamwork. Aadit is a team player, a supportive leader, and furthermore, he fills a room with positive energy.”

    Director, Shrek Junior the Musical, 2021

  • Child wearing a lion costume and roaring, framed by colorful tropical leaves and flowers

    Aadit volunteered as a tutor at ‘Glass Ceiling Arts’. At such a young age, to understand the actual meaning of inclusivity and work towards that positive outcome for the arts is something we are am most proud of Aadit for.

    Teacher, Glass Ceiling, Tauranga

  • Staged scene with a blond person in a yellow vest seated beside a whimsical spotted puppet with googly eyes.

    Aadit is a skilled young singer and actor who certainly stands well above the average that you would expect for his age and experience. He is passionate about wanting to be the very best character he can be in the role, and constantly works on ways to improve his delivery.

    Director, SpongeBob the Musical, 2023

  • Student smiling in an auditorium while holding a Highflying Trophy Creative Arts award certificate and performing arts trophy.

    He has gained the unwavering respect of the Music and Drama Department staff and students. Our school has benefitted greatly from your personality and presence.

    Otūmoetai College

    -McGregor Trophy Certificate of Excellence, 1st in Level 3 Drama 

    - Tauranga Police Cup, for Service to the School Community

    - Ralph Family Award for Tertiary Study in the Performing Arts 

    - Blues Award Creative Arts for Outstanding Commitment and Excellence in Music

    - Blues Awards Creative Arts for Outstanding Commitment and Excellence in Drama

    - Herring Trophy Creative Arts for Outstanding Commitment in Performing Arts