2024 Award Recipients and Nominees

2024 GOLD MATILDA

Flipside Circus

Flipside Circus is one of Queensland’s largest youth arts organisations and one of our great success stories.

Since their beginnings in 1994 with community classes under a tree in Davies Park, West End, Flipside have been providing young people across Queensland with the opportunity to learn circus and physical performance regardless of background or circumstances. Focusing on collaboration and celebrating creativity, they foster the development of our next generation of circus and physical theatre artists and create memorable performances on themes that are meaningful to young people, including Matilda nominated shows like 'We Live Here' and 'Wilbur the Optical Whale'.

In 2023, with the support of government and their broader community, the company opened a $2.4 million purpose-built circus training and presentation space in Hamilton, with specialist circus training facilities unlike any other in Australia, enabling emerging and established circus companies in southeast Queensland to collaborate and create new work. The venue faced a fire at the beginning of 2024, remaining closed for repairs until September. Despite this, Flipside stayed committed to their work, delivering 2,104 workshops for 23,381 participants across the state, including 119 programs to 3,860 kids in over 40 communities in regional and remote Queensland and accessible workshops for 1207 participants as a part of their community/social circus program.

BEST SET DESIGN

Kevin O’Brien, Straight From The Strait – Opera Queensland, Yumpla Nerkep Foundation & QPAC, in association with Brisbane Festival

Kevin O’Brien’s beautiful set design guides the audience through the incredible journey three brothers undertake to new places far from home where they meet and conquer the challenge of building a railway from Mt Newman to Port Hedland in Western Australia. The musical’s central stage piece, a colossal leather suitcase, morphs before our eyes becoming the brothers’ family home, the ship that conveys them so far away, and the railway stores in Western Australia where they achieve their epic feat. The handle of the suitcase remains visible throughout, jutting upwards ready to be lifted, reminding us that even in moments of joyous music and dance, for the Torres Strait Islander workers home is still another long journey away.

SHORTLIST

Chloe Greaves, Medea – Queensland Theatre

Josh McIntosh, GRIMM – Shake & Stir Theatre Co, QPAC and Brisbane Festival

Renée Mulder, Gaslight – Rodney Rigby, Queensland Theatre, Marriner Group & TEG

Rozina Suliman, Wanderings – The Nest Ensemble/DOOR 3 Queensland Theatre

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Lisa Fa’alafi & Leah Shelton, Dangerous Goods – A Polytoxic Production presented by QPAC

In this polished cabaret reclaiming the right to be dangerous, Lisa and Leah's costumes were clever, striking and often wittily transformable. Exciting and visually impressive, from the fabric choice with cool bold prints to the glamorous sparkling costumes with edgy and alluring cuts,  their costumes also skilfully incorporated elements of the Pasifika cultures, such as the use of shells for embellishment and grass weaving for sexy leg chaps. The costume design gave a bold and culturally strong statement which boosted this empowering production. 

SHORTLIST

Frances Foo, Scenes from a Yellow Peril – The Reaction Theory & BIPOC ARTS AUSTRALIA

Libby McDonnell, Dido and Aeneas – Opera Queensland, in association with Circa

Renée Mulder, Gaslight – Rodney Rigby, Queensland Theatre, Marriner Group & TEG

Deborah Ralston and Seren Wagstaff, Slippery – Curtain World

BEST COMPOSITION AND/OR SOUND DESIGN

Anna Whitaker, Ready or Not – White Rabbit Theatre & HOTA

Throughout the entire production of Ready or Not, Anna Whitaker’s sound enhances the  themes and stories told by central character, Darling, and invites the audience to engage even more deeply with her world. Whitaker blends original composition, familiar swing tunes, recorded voice, diegetic soundscapes and perfectly timed effects to deepen the layers of meaning, humour and memory in Ready or Not. From the first moments of the play, a surging soundscape of horse-race commentary merges into the sounds of child’s birthday party and is all at once familiar, nostalgic, melancholic and overwhelming – the perfect aural opening for this compelling show. The sound becomes a character itself as Ainslee Palmer’s Darling interacts with it in the most surprising, delightful, hilarious and brutal of ways.

SHORTLIST

Brady Watkins, Moss McGregor and Loki Liddle, Meet Your Maker – Alethea Beetson, Blak Social, Brisbane Festival & Brisbane Powerhouse

Wil Hughes, Blue – A Belvoir Street production, presented by La Boite Theatre

Guy Webster, Cost of Living – Queensland Theatre & Sydney Theatre Company

Guy Webster, GRIMM – Shake & Stir Theatre Co, QPAC and Brisbane Festival

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN

Jason Glenwright, Straight From The Strait – Opera Queensland, Yumpla Nerkep Foundation & QPAC, in association with Brisbane Festival

Jason Glenwright’s lighting works in a myriad of subtle and sensuous ways to bring the audience along on the journey from the brothers’ island home to the 40-degree heat of the Pilbara Region in Opera Queensland’s Straight from the Strait. Just as the central character and narrator, Pinau, invites the audience to understand more deeply the onstage conflict, heartache, joy, song and dance, so too does Glenwright’s lighting as it accentuates the unfolding narrative with a rich sense of place -  from the starlit familiarity of home, to the silhouetted looming lugger at sea, to the dust and heat of the railways and the cooler relief of the moonlit night, all the while brilliantly showcasing the songs, dances and stories of the 15 strong cast and onstage live band.

SHORTLIST

Briana Clark, Scenes From A Yellow Peril – The Reaction Theory & BIPOC ARTS AUSTRALIA

Ben Hughes, 37 – Queensland Theatre & Melbourne Theatre Company

Paul Jackson, Gaslight – Rodney Rigby, Queensland Theatre, Marriner Group & TEG

Geoff Squires, AI May – Embodi Theatre/PIP Theatre

BEST VIDEO DESIGN

Alethea Beetson, Sasha Parlett, Boneta-Marie Mabo & Ken Weston, Meet Your Maker – Alethea Beetson, Blak Social, Brisbane Festival & Brisbane Powerhouse

Video Design was integral to the genre-busting production of Meet Your Maker. Dynamic in its integration and execution, the design embodied and navigated multiple styles and genres with expert skill and ease – from pop concerts and music video to science fiction and film parody and more. It gave agency to a multitude of voices, creating a visual language and form that elevated this one-woman show. Many hands contributed to its vibrant and transformative aesthetic with exceptional work across the areas of cinematography, production design and editorial.  As a character that was central to the storytelling, Meet Your Maker's video design continues to demonstrate how the form is changing the language of theatre, film and live performance.

SHORTLIST

Nevin Howell, Eat Slay Zombie – A Playlab Theatre Production, Presented in Partnership with QPAC

Freddy Komp, AI May – Embodi Theatre/PIP Theatre

Craig Wilkinson & Jon Weber, James and the Giant Peach – Shake & Stir Theatre Co & QPAC

Craig Wilkinson, Round The Twist – Queensland Theatre & QPAC

BEST DIRECTION

Isaac Drandic, 37 – Queensland Theatre & Melbourne Theatre Company

Noongar Director Isaac Drandic’s skill, heart, and wisdom is on full display within his direction of 37.  A play that balances many things in its grip, not just a ball, Isaac masterfully draws the audience in, brings out big bursts of laughter, pushes emotions to the brink, and hits home with truth, accountability, and love.  With a multitude of components to manage, the set, sound design, lighting, costume, choreography, choral work and acting worked together seamlessly to create a reality so close we could almost touch it. And yet it retained its own integral style. 37 was a beautiful integration of story, movement and life, a difficult and delicate dance for any director to undertake, but Drandic didn’t miss a beat.

SHORTLIST

Chelsea August & Egan Sun-Bin, Scenes From A Yellow Peril – The Reaction Theory & BIPOC ARTS AUSTRALIA

Yaron Lifschitz, Dido and Aeneas – Opera Queensland, in association with Circa

Nadine McDonald-Dowd, Straight From The Strait – Opera Queensland, Yumpla Nerkep Foundation & QPAC, in association with Brisbane Festival

Lisa Smith, Ready or Not – White Rabbit Theatre & HOTA

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A LEADING ROLE - INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION

CJ de Mooi, Banana Crabtree Simon – de Mooi Media

It’s been described as death by 1000 cuts. In the space of just over an hour, CJ de Mooi ensures the audience feels each one of the cuts inflicted by dementia. De Mooi plays Alan, a 50-year-old man whose wife is worried about his behaviour and memory. His doctor asks him to remember three words: Banana, Crabtree, Simon. In a compelling and nuanced performance, De Mooi portrays Alan’s cognitive decline. We journey through the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining and finally a sort of confused acceptance. Like someone suffering from dementia, it is hard to retrieve the right word to describe the magic De Mooi conjures, but there is an emotional truth that is undeniable and heartbreakingly honest.

SHORTLIST

Margi Brown Ash, Wanderings – The Nest Ensemble/DOOR 3 Queensland Theatre

Adam Bartlett, Fun Home – PIP Theatre

Leo Buzac, After The End – Salad Days Collective

Ainslee Palmer, Ready or Not – White Rabbit Theatre & HOTA

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A LEADING ROLE - MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION

Thomas Weatherall, Blue – A Belvoir Street production, presented by La Boite Theatre

Thomas Weatherall’s performance as Mark in Blue was astonishing. His performance invited the audience to experience the very raw and vulnerable world his character has experienced. It’s a story of grief, loss, mental health and what that looks like for a young adult to navigate. Blue is a one person show (challenging for any actor) that had minimal distractions on stage but had one young man who was so authentic, honest, gentle and natural in the way he allowed Mark’s story to be told through him that the audience was completely engaged from start to finish. As his debut theatre piece, Thomas truly left an imprint on everyone who had the privilege to bear witness to Blue.

SHORTLIST

Nelle Lee, GRIMM – Shake & Stir Theatre Co, QPAC and Brisbane Festival

Jade Lomas Ronan, Eat Slay Zombie - A Playlab Theatre Production, Presented in Partnership with QPAC

Vaughan Wapau, Straight From The Strait – Opera Queensland, Yumpla Nerkep Foundation & QPAC, in association with Brisbane Festival

Tibian Wyles, 37 – Queensland Theatre & Melbourne Theatre Company

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION

Micheal Enright, Fun Home – PIP Theatre

Micheal Enright’s portrayal of College Alison in Fun Home as their professional debut was nothing short of stunning. Enright captured the awkward joy of coming out, authentically embodying Alison’s journey from uncertainty to self-assurance with warmth and an endearing touch of naivety. Their portrayal was both hilarious and heartfelt, particularly in the solo "Changing My Major," where their vocal precision and comedic timing shone. Enright’s stage presence was magnetic, bringing authenticity and depth to each interaction.

SHORTLIST

Jaya Fisher-Smith, A Night With The Villains – Mira Ball Productions

Greg Gesch, Love Lies Bleeding – Ad Astra

Julia Johnson, Equus – The X Collective

Rebecca Murphy, Julius Caesar – Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION

Kimie Tsukakoshi, Trent Dalton's Love Stories – Brisbane Festival & QPAC

It’s hard enough to deliver one strong supporting performance on stage. It’s harder still to play three drastically different characters in an ensemble of 11—and still manage to stand out. But that is exactly what Kimie Tsukakoshi does in Love Stories. From portraying an elderly Japanese woman to a woman learning sign language, and even a lovestruck TikTok star, Tsukakoshi showcases remarkable versatility in both age and experience. With each role, she shifts seamlessly between personas, not just altering her physicality and voice, but capturing the emotional depth and nuance that make each character feel fully realized. Her ability to transition from quiet vulnerability to vibrant energy demonstrates a keen instinct for storytelling, ensuring that every character leaves an impression. Whether delivering moments of humour, heartbreak, or hope, Tsukakoshi proves herself to be a dynamic and compelling presence on stage—one that makes Love Stories all the more lovely.

SHORTLIST

Helen Cassidy, Medea – Queensland Theatre

Georgia Corowa, Straight From The Strait – Opera Queensland, Yumpla Nerkep Foundation & QPAC, in association with Brisbane Festival

Anthony Standish, 37 – Queensland Theatre & Melbourne Theatre Company

Nic Van Lits, Round The Twist – Queensland Theatre & QPAC

BEST ENSEMBLE

Scenes From A Yellow Peril – The Reaction Theory & BIPOC ARTS AUSTRALIA

In 2021, a study found 17.4% of Australians identify as part of the Asian diaspora. Yet in the same year a different study found merely 1-2% of main roles on mainstream television were of Asian descent. This stark underrepresentation highlights why productions like Scenes from a Yellow Peril are so significant. With an all-Asian Australian ensemble, it amplifies voices that rarely take centre stage.  The Reaction Theory has used the smash hit New Zealand work by Nathan Joe to take an unflinching look on the experiences of Asian Australians. Daphne Chen, Chris Nguyen, Peter Wood and Jazz Zhao work seamlessly together through movement and dialogue showcasing the power of community and authenticity. Through striking choreography, sharp spoken word, and moments of biting satire, Scenes of a Yellow Peril confronts stereotypes and exposes the contradictions within multicultural identity. By centring Asian Australian narratives on stage, Scenes from a Yellow Peril not only disrupts the status quo but redefines what it means to be seen. It is a powerful reminder that representation is more than just numbers; it is about agency, authenticity, and the ability to tell one’s own story. If this ensemble represents the future of diverse Australian theatre then Australian theatre is in good hands.

SHORTLIST

Broadway Bingo – Outside The Jukebox

Horizon – A Playlab Theatre Production

Merrily We Roll Along – Ad Astra

Slippery – Curtain World

BILLE BROWN AWARD FOR BEST EMERGING ARTIST

Salad Days Collective – Body of Work: After The End, Backdock Arts; Scenes With Girls, PIP Theatre; Love, VENTspace

Salad Days Collective came into being in 2023 as an interdisciplinary creative collective,

honouring brilliant yet often overlooked pieces of theatre and embracing the challenge of never playing things safe. Created and headed by trained Queensland actors, Jasmine Prasser and Leo Buzac, the collective is not only open to, but focused on collaborating and combining creative peoples, ideologies and works in order to step away from the notion that art should be dictated by ‘what will sell’. In 2024, Salad Days Collective produced three powerful plays in three distinct venues, demonstrating serious artistic and professional commitment as well as maturity in allowing strong writing to support their development as emerging artists. Proving that low-budget does not have to mean compromise in the quest for quality, the productions tackled tough subjects with depth and creativity, accompanied by informative programs with a consistent style.

SHORTLIST

Sophia Ivanna Hodych – Creation, Co-direction, Co-writing: Art of Courage, Art of Courage UKRAINE, PIP Theatre, Brisbane Immersive,

Adelaide Lukin – Set and Costume Design: Love Lies Bleeding, Ad Astra; Direction: A Balloon Will Pop *at some point during this play, PIP Theatre, East and Under Theatre Co; Mask Design: Art of Courage, Art of Courage Ukraine, PIP Theatre, Brisbane Immersive; Prop Design: Adventures of Peter Rabbit, Small Crown Productions 

Clarise Ooi – Performance: AI May, Embodi Theatre/PIP Theatre

Thomas Weatherall – Creation, Writing, Performance: Blue, A Belvoir Street production, presented by La Boite Theatre

BEST MUSICAL OR CABARET

Straight From The Strait – Opera Queensland, Yumpla Nerkep Foundation & QPAC, in association with Brisbane Festival

On 8 May 1968, Torres Strait Islander workers on the Mount Newman railway set a world record, laying 7km of track in one day—a feat still unmatched. Their achievement, fuelled by the power of song, inspired a musical by Norah Bagiri and Rubina Kimiia, rich with heart, laughter and life. A collaborative production, it highlights the deep connection between performers, audience, and culture, blending traditional Torres Strait music with contemporary melodies and featuring Meriam Mir, Kala Lagaw Ya, Torres Strait Creole, and English. With a modern band, this vibrant story pulses with passion, pride, and cultural heritage.

SHORTLIST

Dangerous Goods – A Polytoxic Production presented by QPAC

Fun Home – PIP Theatre

Merrily We Roll Along – Ad Astra

Round The Twist – Queensland Theatre & QPAC

BEST CIRCUS OR PHYSICAL THEATRE WORK

Dido and Aeneas – Opera Queensland, in association with Circa

Dido and Aeneas by Opera Queensland in association with Circa was a powerful and visually stunning new take on the classic Baroque opera that proved to be captivating and accessible for lovers of both opera and circus. Dido and Aeneas sets new benchmarks for mixing artforms, with the physical performances of circus artists both contributing to the story and highlighting the emotion of the vocal performances, while blending seamlessly with the Opera Queensland ensemble. Director Yaron Lifschitz masterfully blended the talents and vocal stylings of Opera Queensland with an impressive range of circus artistry from his company of performers at Circa. All dimensions of QPAC’s Playhouse space were utilised to bring the classic story to life, as Circa's ensemble dived and balanced precariously above and around the vocalists to bring this classic story of doomed love to life.

SHORTLIST

Camp Culture – Dale Woodbridge Brown & Cluster Arts

[gameboy] by Amy Zhang – Presented by Metro Arts and Mad Dance House. Presented as part of Dance24

Suavé – The Pink Flamingo Brisbane

BEST INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION

Scenes From A Yellow Peril – The Reaction Theory & BIPOC ARTS AUSTRALIA

The play was a deeply moving portrayal of Asian identity in a non-Asian culture, capturing the heartache, resilience, and triumphs of a community often overlooked. In a sharp, tightly disciplined production, each scene was filled with raw emotion, making an audience laugh, cry, and reflect on the realities many face. The powerful performances and heartfelt storytelling were thought-provoking and often inspirational, shedding light on identity, family, and perseverance in a way that resonated deeply. Technical elements were simple, stylish, mood-enhancing, with some superb cueing. The characters felt real, their journeys relatable and touching. This play is not just a story—it’s an experience that lingers in your heart, reminding us of the strength in unity and hope.

SHORTLIST

AI May – Embodi Theatre/PIP Theatre

Banana Crabtree Simon – de Mooi Media

Love Lies Bleeding – Ad Astra

Ready or Not – White Rabbit Theatre & HOTA

BEST MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION

37 – Queensland Theatre & Melbourne Theatre Company

Society would have us believe that sport and theatre are opposites, and never the twain shall meet. 37 shows just how naive that thought process truly is. By combining the high drama of an AFL game with the beauty and subtlety of great Australian theatre, 37 delivers a masterclass in mainstage excellence—one that is as visceral as it is poetic.

Set against the backdrop of the Adam Goodes saga, 37 is a sharp, nuanced exploration of not just racism in sport, but the role sport plays in shaping Australian identity, masculinity, and the national conscience. It forces its audience to grapple with uncomfortable truths, laying bare the deep cultural tensions that exist beneath the roar of the crowd. This is theatre at its most urgent and unflinching—where the personal and the political collide with the force of a body on the field.

SHORTLIST

Eat Slay Zombie – A Playlab Theatre Production, Presented in Partnership with QPAC

GRIMM – Shake & Stir Theatre Co, QPAC and Brisbane Festival

Medea – Queensland Theatre

Trent Dalton’s Love Stories – Brisbane Festival & QPAC