Categories & Guidelines

Professional

1. The artist is being paid to be part of the production, and in addition has been engaged with a Letter of Agreement, Memorandum of Understanding, MEAA Co-op Agreement, or equivalent.

2. The artist in question meets at least two of the following indicators of professional practice:

   • Artist has a previous body of professional work in the theatre industry.

   • Artist has engaged in the theatre industry as the primary paid or semi-paid occupation and point of focus rather than as an adjunct or hobby.

   • Artist is an MEAA member.

   • Artist has completed training in the field at a recognised institution.

strong relationship to Queensland

1. The work is being produced or co-produced by a Queensland-based company or entity.

2. The artist in question is based in Queensland, or has worked professionally in Queensland within the last five years.

Best SET Design

This category encompasses scenic design for full professional and Independent productions across all performance categories (Theatre, Musical Theatre, Cabaret, Circus or Physical Theatre). Designers may be nominated separately in the same category for different productions. 

The award is presented to the Designer or Design team. 

Best COSTUME Design

This category encompasses costume design for full professional and Independent productions across all performance categories (Theatre, Musical Theatre, Cabaret, Circus or Physical Theatre).  Designers may be nominated separately in the same category for different productions. 

The award is presented to the Designer or Design team. 

BEST COMPOSITION AND/OR SOUND DESIGN

This category encompasses original Sound design for full professional and Independent productions across all performance categories (Theatre, Musical Theatre, Cabaret, Circus or Physical Theatre).  Work in this category may include backing score for theatre productions, ambient sounds and atmosphere created through sound either live or recorded, to support the aesthetic of a production.  From 2018 onwards, this category may also include songs and score for musical theatre or cabaret works.

Designers may be nominated separately in the same category for different productions. 

The award is presented to the Designer or Design team. 

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN

This category encompasses original Lighting design for full professional and Independent productions across all performance categories (Theatre, Musical Theatre, Cabaret, Circus or Physical Theatre).  Work in this category may include lighting and lighting elements that support the aesthetic of a production but does not include Audio Visual elements such as projection and video, unless they are especially integral as lighting elements of a production. 

Designers may be nominated separately in the same category for different productions. 

The award is presented to the Designer or Design team. 

BEST VIDEO DESIGN

This category encompasses original Video design for full professional and Independent productions across all performance categories (Theatre, Musical Theatre, Cabaret, Circus or Physical Theatre).  Work in this category may include Projection, video, recorded moving images, animations, etc. that support the aesthetic of a production but does not include general lighting or lighting elements.  Where the Audio Visual design is used as the major set design element for a production such that it is eligible for nomination in the Best Design - Set category, the work will be nominated in one category only.  The Judging Panel may approach the Producers to discuss the most appropriate category for the nomination.

Designers may be nominated separately in the same category for different productions. 

The award is presented to the Designer or Design team. 

Best DirectION

This category encompasses Directors or Directing teams for full professional or independent productions across all performance categories (Theatre, Musical Theatre, Cabaret, Circus or Physical Theatre).  Directors may be nominated separately in the same category for different productions. 

The award is presented to the Director or Directing Team.

Best PERFORMANCE in a Leading Role

This category encompasses performances by an individual actor in a Lead role in productions across all performance categories (Theatre, Musical Theatre, Cabaret, Circus or Physical Theatre) in both full professional and independent productions.  Where a standout performance by an actor in an ensemble cast is nominated the actor will be nominated in the Supporting Role category. 

Actors nominated in this category cannot be nominated in Best Actor in a Supporting Role category or Best Ensemble for the same role.  Where actors perform multiple roles in a single production they may be nominated once only in this category for that production.  Actors may be nominated separately in the same category for different productions. 

The award is presented to an individual performer. 

Best PERFORMANCE in a Supporting Role

This category encompasses performances by an individual actor in a supporting role (non-lead) in productions across all performance categories (Theatre, Musical Theatre, Cabaret, Circus or Physical Theatre) in both full professional and independent productions.  Where a standout performance by an actor in an ensemble cast is nominated the actor will be nominated in the Supporting Role category. 

Actors nominated in this category cannot be nominated in Best Actor in a Leading Role category for the same role. Where actors perform multiple roles in a single production they may be nominated once only in this category for that production.  Actors may be nominated separately in the same category for different productions. 

The award is presented to an individual performer. 

Best ENSEMBLE

This category encompasses performances by an ensemble cast in productions across all performance categories (Theatre, Musical Theatre, Cabaret, Circus or Physical Theatre) in both full professional and independent productions.  Where a standout performance by an actor in an ensemble cast is nominated the actor may also be nominated in the Supporting Role category.

Actors nominated in this category cannot be nominated in Best Actor in a Leading Role category for the same role.   Actors may be nominated separately in the same category for different productions. 

The award is presented to an ensemble of performers. 

Bille Brown Award Best Emerging Artist

This category encompasses artists who are considered in the early stages of their professional career.  It includes artists engaged in full professional or independent productions in any performance category and includes artists across all individual categories of the Awards such as actors, designers, directors, etc.  Artists may be nominated only once in this category but the nomination may represent a body of work in the awards year.

Once nominated for this category, nominees may not be nominated for this category in the future.

The award is presented to an Individual or team.

Best Musical or Cabaret

This category encompasses Musical Theatre and Cabaret productions by full professional or Independent companies. Work in this category cannot be nominated in Best Circus or Physical Theatre Production, however may be nominated in Best Mainstage Production or Best Independent Production.

The Award is presented to the Producing Company or Collective.

Best Circus or Physical Theatre WORK

This category encompasses performance work that may be considered circus or physical theatre by full professional or Independent companies. Works nominated in this category cannot be nominated in Best Musical or Cabaret, however may be nominated in Best Mainstage or Best Independent Production.

The Award is presented to the Producing Company or Collective.

BRISBANE POWERHOUSE
Best Independent Production

This category encompasses theatre works produced by independent companies or collectives across all performance categories who are producing work that is not considered “Mainstage.” This may refer to the scale of the work, producing framework, or level of formal support given by organisations and funding bodies.
The award is given for the best overall production thinking beyond the production in terms of individual categories.  Works in this category will usually have received nominations in one or more individual categories, though in rare cases it is possible for a work to be nominated where it has not been nominated in any individual category.  This might be achieved where individual categories may not make the short list of nominations but the overall performance aesthetic achieved when all the elements come together creates an excellent overall theatrical experience.

A company may produce separate works allowing them to be nominated in Best Mainstage and Best Independent Production for different works, though this would be rare. The Judging Panel may approach the Producers to discuss the most appropriate category for the nomination.

Works nominated in this category cannot be nominated in Best Mainstage Production, however may have been nominated in Best Musical or Cabaret etc.  Producing companies may be nominated separately in the same category for different productions.

The award is presented to the producing company or collective.

Best Main Stage Production

This work encompasses productions delivered by fully professional companies or independent companies working in collaboration with major venues to produce work. 
As an example, In 2015 Companies in this category included Queensland Theatre Company, La Boite and Shake & Stir Theatre. 

The award is given for the best overall production thinking beyond the production in terms of individual categories.  Works in this category will usually have received nominations in one or more individual categories, though in rare cases it is possible for a work to be nominated where it has not been nominated in any individual category.  This might be achieved where individual categories may not make the short list of nominations but the overall performance aesthetic achieved when all the elements come together creates an excellent overall theatrical experience.

A company may produce separate works allowing them to be nominated in Best Mainstage and Best Independent Production for different works, though this would be rare. The Judging Panel may approach the Producers to discuss the most appropriate category for the nomination.

Works nominated in this category cannot be nominated in Best Independent Production, however may have been nominated in Best Musical or Cabaret.  Producing companies may be nominated separately in the same category for different productions.

The award is presented to the producing company or collective.

The Judges’ Award

An award given at the discretion of the judges for outstanding theatrical endeavour which pushes artistic and/or other boundaries. 

The Lord Mayor’s Award for Best new Australian Work

This category encompasses all new Australian created works within the awards year seen by the Judging Panel.  It includes work from all performance categories (Theatre, Musical, Cabaret, Circus or Physical Theatre).  Work may be a new script, adaptation or devised work. 
Work in this category may have been nominated in other individual categories.

The award is presented to the Writer / Writing team, or Deviser / Devising team.

 The Gold Matilda

The Gold Matilda is a special open award that may be awarded for a standout production or performance element in that season or recognition to an individual company or group for their contribution to the industry as determined by the judging panel. 

QUT SCHOOL OF CREATIVE PRACTICE BEHIND THE SCENES AWARD

Sponsored by QUT School of Creative Practice

The Behind The Scenes Award recognises an individual or small group who display excellence within their position behind the scenes.

This could include, but is not limited to: stage managers, assistant stage managers, production managers, sound, lighting or video operators, marketing, finance, managers, administration.  Nominations will be made via the Matilda Awards website.  A written submission of no more than 500 words from the producer, director, associate director, general manager or cast of a production is required and will address the following questions:

• How has the nominee displayed excellence within their field within the last theatre year?

• What was the degree of difficulty associated with the position in this particular production or productions?

• Could you give two examples when the nominee went above and beyond the expectation of their position to execute work of excellence.

Nominations will be received by the Judging Panel who will create a short list and determine the eventual winner, utilising the judging process outlined on the website (4,3,2,1 votes etc).

Should the judging Panel require further information, the Lead Judge, on behalf of the Judging Panel, will consult with members of the industry before participating in the voting process. 

The recipient of the award will be announced at the annual Matilda Awards Ceremony.

LAST UPDATED: Jan 2024