Celebrating achievement in Western Australian professional and independent live performance in 2023, Performing Arts WA Awards have announced the winners in a ceremony at the Heath Ledger Theatre on Monday 12 August 2024.
Hit Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA production, Things I Know To Be True, was the biggest winner for the night, taking all five of the awards for which it was nominated, including Outstanding Direction, Best Mainstage Theatre Production and Outstanding Lead Performance for both Caroline Brazier and Humphrey Bower.
Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA and WA Opera were the most awarded companies, taking home eight and five awards respectively. Freeze Frame Opera’s The Little Prince was also a popular production, picking up three awards.
It was a strong showing for regional WA companies. Broome based Dance company Marrugeku snaring three wins including Outstanding New Work (Dance) for Burrbgaja Yalirra 2, and Best Production and Outstanding Choreography for Jurrungu Ngan-ga [Straight Talk].
Theatre company Breaksea from Albany took home two awards including Outstanding New Work (Musicals & Opera) and Outstanding Costume Design for The Magical Weedy Seadragon.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went this year to Jenny Davis, honouring her long career and dedication to theatre.
With presentation funding support from DLGSCI and Arts & Culture Trust, the awards returned to Heath Ledger Theatre at State Theatre Centre. This welcome capacity increase allowed for a greater scale event and increased audience members- something essential with the expansion of the awards themselves.
With over 20 years of history of recognising professional theatre, the Awards now also include dance, musicals, opera and cabaret across WA.
The Awards celebrate the professional live performing arts in Western Australia. They are hosted each year by Artist Relief Fund WA, a charity which supports arts workers experiencing hardship.
For more information about the Performing Arts WA Awards and full list of nominees and recipients, visit: www.performingartswaawards.com for details.
Image: Humphrey Bower and Caroline Brazier in Things I Know To Be True – photo by Daniel J Grant