The Dunedin Theatre Awards are annual theatre awards in Dunedin, New Zealand. The awards were established in 2010 by director and actor Patrick Davies, and the winners are selected by a panel of theatre reviewers. The winners are selected by the Dunedin Reviewers Collective.
2010 awards The first awards were presented by Mayor Dave Cull in December 2010 at an event held at the Fortune Theatre. The panel of reviewers who selected the winners consisted of Anna Chinn, Jimmy Currin, Barbara Frame, Terry MacTavish, Sharon Matthews, and Jen Aitken. The awards were criticised when 6 out of 7 awards were won by the Fortune Theatre, and no awards were given to visiting production Miss Saigon. Founder of the awards Patrick Davies said that the awards explicitly excluded children's theatre, musical theatre or "anything to do with education" from consideration, but that categories for those types of production might be included the following year. The OSTAs (Otago Southland Theatre Awards) were launched in 2013 to reward achievements in musical theatre. +AwardWinnerNotesTechnical designPeter King for Wuthering Heightsat the Fortune Theatre. King was head of design at Fortune Theatre.Scenographic designPeter King for The Pitmen Paintersat the Fortune TheatreDunedin scriptHarry Love for All's Well that Ends at the Globe TheatreProduction of the yearThe Pitmen Paintersat the Fortune TheatreMale performanceJohn Glass in The Pitmen Painters at the Fortune TheatreFemale performanceAnna Henare in Wuthering Heightsat the Fortune TheatreDirectorPatrick Davies for The Pitmen Paintersat the Fortune TheatreOutstanding contribution to Dunedin theatreNicholas McBrydeFounding director of the Otago Festival of the Arts. "For his work in establishing the Otago festival.Wild card awardsKaren Elliot Janice Cheng
Kathryn Hurst
Vicki CrossInterim Fortune Theatre manager Dunedin theatre stalwart
Anti-Social Tap founder
Anti-Social Tap founder
2011 Awards The 2011 Awards were held at the Playhouse Theatre on 12 December 2011. +AwardWinnerNotesProduction of the yearWaiting For Godotat the Globe TheatreBest directorRichard Huber for Waiting For Godotat the Globe TheatreBest female performanceElena Stejko in A Shortcut To Happinessat the Fortune TheatreBest male performancePeter Hayden in A Shortcut To Happinessat the Fortune TheatreBest design (scenographic)Peter King for set design for Avenue Qat the Fortune TheatreBest design (technical)Stephen Kilroy for lighting design for The Tutorat the Fortune TheatreBest publicityJames Higgs, Miguel Nitis and Nikki Kidd for Avenue Qat the Fortune TheatreEmerging talentJake Metzger for The Tutorat the Fortune TheatreBest visiting productionMates And Loversby Fabulous Arts Aotearoa New ZealandBest script/narrativeSimon Cunliffe for The Truth Gameat the Fortune TheatreRising star awardStageworks Theatre Society Otago Inc, RAD Productions and Young, Wild and FortunateOutstanding contribution to Dunedin theatreClare AdamsWow! Productions producer and Stage South founderLifetime achievement awardplaywright Roger Hall
2012 awards In 2012 a decision-making matrix was introduced to the judging process to try to achieve a fairer result. New awards were introduced for emerging talent, industry support, outstanding contribution to Dunedin theatre and for lifetime achievement. The awards ceremony was held at the Mayfair Theatre on 11 December. +AwardWinnerNotesProductionPlayby the Fortune Theatre, in the Standard Insurance building in the ExchangeDirectorLara Macgregor for Playby the Fortune TheatreFemale performanceHilary Halba for Playby the Fortune TheatreMale performanceSimon O'Connor for Heroesby the Fortune TheatreScenographical designerHannah Kidd for Playby the Fortune TheatreTechnical designerStephen Kilroy for Playby the Fortune TheatrePromotionCabaret Botanica, by Inge AndrewesEmerging artistsGrace Park and Alex WilsonVisiting productionRichard Meros Salutes the Southern Manby Conditional ProductionsScript/narrativeDeath*Sex*Magicby Jonathan CweorthOutstanding industry supportBill Noble and University Book ShopOutstanding contribution to Dunedin theatreMichael Andrewes and the Really Authentic Gilbert and Sullivan Performance TrustLifetime achievement awardShirley Kelly, Mary Dixon, Denise Walsh and Louise Petherbridge
2013 awards The 2013 awards were held at the Globe Theatre on 15 December. +AwardWinnerNotesTechnical Design of the YearMidge aka Brendon McBryde for music design for Sheepby CounterpointScenographic Design of the YearSofie Welvaert for costume design for Macbethat the Globe TheatrePromotion of the YearAngus McBryde, Jozephine Parker, Hadley R. Taylor for Moose Murdersby CounterpointVisiting Production of the YearTravelling Medicine Show by Porcelain Punchat the Fortune TheatreNarrative/Script of the YearRichard Huber for SongbirdFemale Performance of the YearSophie Hambleton in GiftedMale Performance of the YearSimon O'Connor in GiftedDirection of the YearAbby Howells for Moose MurderProduction of the YearTribesat the Fortune TheatreEmerging Artist of the YearAbby Howells"for her sterling work in writing"Emerging Artist of the YearAlexandra Ross"for her lighting work in various theatres"Outstanding Industry SupportDunedin Performance Journal "for its work creating a formidable forum and platform for online discussion of the theatre around Dunedin"Outstanding Contribution to Dunedin TheatreRosemary Beresfordfor "vital and tireless [work] in responding to the Globe Theatre’s restoration"Lifetime Achievement awardHilary Norrisshe "was there at the beginning of the Fortune Theatre and has been a vital and active worker, bringing powerful performances as an actor and incisive direction to the stage"Lifetime Achievement awardHarry Lovehe "has worked tirelessly to provide top quality classics – both ancient and modern to our audiences"
2014 awards The 2014 awards at were held at the Fortune Theatre on 16 December. A new nationwide initiative to honour longevity and commitment to theatre was launched, with awards for practitioners involved in 25, 50 and 100 professional shows. Shirley Kelly, Louise Petherbridge, and Hilary Norris were honoured for completing more than 100 professional shows. For more than 50 professional shows, Martyn Roberts, Lisa Warrington, Lara Macgregor, Terry MacTavish, Peter King, Julie Edwards, and Simon O'Connor were honoured. In the third category, for more than 25 professional shows, honours went to Hilary Halba, Karen Elliot, Vivien Aitken, Barry Dorking, Matthew Wilson, and Patrick Davies. +AwardWinnerNotesTechnical Design of the YearMartyn Roberts for light design for This Other Eden by Opera Otago Scenographic Design of the YearBrenda Rendall for costume design for This Other Eden by Opera Otago Promotion of the YearAndrew Brinsley-Pirie, Rosemary Beresford, Dale Neill, Keith Scott, Sofie Welvaert for A Midsummer Night’s Dream promotion campaign by the Globe TheatreVisiting Production of the YearPromise & Promiscuityby Hotpink Productions The Robert Lord Narrative/Script of the YearStuart Young, Cindy Diver, Susie Lawless for The Keys Are In The Margarine by Talking House. This award this year was sponsored by a donor who asked that it be named for Dunedin playwright Robert Lord.Female Performance of the YearAngela Johnson in SouvenirMale Performance of the YearJason Whyte in The Caretaker Ken Blackburn in The Caretaker
Kip Chapman in The CaretakerThree winners were awarded "to acknowledge the tight ensemble acting in this three-man production."Director of the YearJacqueline Coats for This Other EdenThe 'Outstanding Performance' Production of the YearPeninsula by Fortune Theatre. This award "was sponsored for 2014 by Outstanding Performance, a company which began in Dunedin and which employs actors nationwide for simulated patient and leadership training work."Emerging Theatre Artist AwardRosie Howells, Nell Guy, and Heidi GeisslerThree people were awarded, "all with strong links to both Counterpoint and to the female comedy troupe Discharge."A one-off, special award category was created as "to acknowledge the number of quality theatre shows presented this year that commemorated World War I." Journey’s End by Globe TheatreOutstanding Contribution to Dunedin TheatreAllen Hall Theatre in its centenary yearLifetime Achievement awardLisa Warrington
2015 awards The sixth annual awards were held at the Allen Hall Theatre on 7 December. +AwardWinnerNotes‘Robert Lord Award’ for Script/Narrative of the YearPhil Braithwaite for The War Playby Fortune TheatrePromotion of the YearGareth McMillan & Zoe Robson for Farley's ArcadeWow! ProductionsTechnical Design of the YearMatthew Morgan for sound for The Hound of the Baskervilles by Fortune TheatreScenographic Design of the YearMartyn Roberts, Richard Clark, Stephen Kilroy for set design for Farley's ArcadeWow! ProductionsFemale Performer of the YearNadya Shaw Bennett in Farley's ArcadeWow! ProductionsMale Performer of the YearJared Kirkwood in Punk Rockby Fortune TheatreOutstanding Contribution of the YearLara Macgregor Fortune TheatreDirector of the YearLara Macgregor for Punk RockFortune TheatreEnsemble of the YearThe Hound of the Baskervilles castFortune Theatre‘Outstanding Performance’ Production of the YearPunk Rock by Fortune Theatre/ OU Theatre StudiesSpecial Awards Presented: Lifetime AchievementNatalie EllisKaitiakiRua McCallum‘Otago Community Trust’ Outstanding Community Event86 hour Shakespeare MarathonFortune Theatre‘Otago Community Trust’ Outstanding Community EventFarley’s Arcade: The Wildest Place in TownWow! Productions‘DCC Creative Communities Scheme’ Outstanding Community EngagementTalking House
2016 awards The 2016 awards were held on the 5 December at the Fortune Theatre.
+AwardWinnerNotesOutstanding Lighting DesignMartyn Roberts for Wai=Rua A Line=NearWatson White Award for Outstanding Costume Design Charmian Smith for Mary StuartOutstanding Use of Digital TechnologiesGrounded – Digital DesignOutstanding Set DesignPeter King for Winston's Birthday DCC Creative Communities Scheme Award for Outstanding InnovationCircus Alice by Brophy AerialsRobert Lord Award for Outstanding Script/NarrativePaul Baker for Winston's Birthday DCC Creative Communities Scheme Award for Outstanding EnsembleThe Skriker castOtago Community Trust Special Event 2016 Marking the ‘Shakespeare 400’ Globe Theatre for The Comedy of ErrorsOutstanding Performance In A Female RoleClaire Chitham for Grounded [contemporary] Helen Fearnley for Mary Stuart [classical] Outstanding Performance In A Male RoleSimon O'Connor for Krapp's Last Tape Counterpoint Productions Award for Emerging TalentJordan DicksonDirector of the YearKeith Scott for Mary Stuart Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Theatre 2016 John Smythe, Managing Editor, TheatreviewOutstanding Contribution to Dunedin Theatre 2016 Nicholas McBryde, Director, Arts Festival DunedinProduction of the YearGrounded by Fortune Theatre
2017 awards The 2017 award ceremony was held on 4 December at the Athenaeum Theatre. +AwardWinnerNotesOutstanding Lighting DesignGarry Keirle for Into The Woods‘Watson White’ Award for Outstanding Costume DesignSofie Welvaert for Pirates Of Penzance‘Robert Lord’ Award for Outstanding Script/Narrative/LibrettoKeith Scott for 1917: Until The Day DawnsOutstanding Set DesignPeter King for Twelfth NightOutstanding Sound DesignLindsay Gordon for Into the WoodsOutstanding Innovation (joint winners)Brophy Aerial Studio for Fragments of a Dream Dunedin Medieval Society for The Bookworm
Amanda Brosnan for Ghost Soldiers‘Dunedin Goldsmiths’ Award for Outstanding EnsembleCast of The Pirates of PenzanceOutstanding Performance (two awarded) Jonathon Hendry as Malvolio in Twelfth Night Bryony Skillington as Feste in Twelfth NightEmerging Talent (two awarded) Lydia Bernard