Black Swan State Theatre Company and West Australian Opera were the most awarded arts organisations at the 2023 Performing Arts Western Australia Awards.
Black Swan State Theatre Company and West Australian Opera were the most awarded arts organisations at the 2023 Performing Arts Western Australia Awards.
The awards recognised the achievements of professional live performance from throughout 2022 in WA, with the winners being announced on Monday evening at Heath Ledger Theatre.
Black Swan State Theatre Company and West Australian Opera both were recognised in five categories each, jointly taking home the most wins for an arts organisation in this year’s awards.
Independent dance performance Petrushka (Game, Set, Match) choreographed by Scott Elstermann was the most victorious performance, winning a total five awards.
The performance was recognised for outstanding choreography, outstanding new work, best independent production and for two outstanding performers.
Black Swan State Theatre Company chief executive Ian Booth told Business News the Performing Arts WA Awards was a vital event for the sector.
"It is also a time to reflect on the year that was, and a reminder of the never-ending search and continual desire to illuminate our collective human experience through story-telling," Mr Booth said.
"This is what makes live performance so addictive and vital.
"We are thrilled that this shared experience was acknowledged with awards going to artists involved in City of Gold, The Glass Menagerie and Barracking for the Umpire, the latter winning Outstanding New Work for local writer Andrea Gibbs in her debut play."
Mr Booth revealed Barracking for the Umpire would return as part of Black Swan's 2024 season and is expected to tour to regional areas of the state.
West Australian Opera executive director Carolyn Chard said recognising live performance artists and productions was immensely important in valuing the artist and the endeavour of producing art.
"The awards won by West Australian Opera’s artists and collaborators amplify the appreciation we have for our colleagues," Ms Chard told Business News.
"Making new work is a significant undertaking and we are particularly proud that Emma Jayakumar is recognised for her composition Our Little Inventor and awards to our singers Rachelle Durkin, Samantha Clarke, Paul O’Neill.
"An important pillar in the arts is to collaborate and these awards recognise two important collaborations including the state opera company collaboration with Opera Queensland and State Opera of South Australia which won best production for La Traviata, and the collaboration partners for Our Little Inventor which included AWESOME Festival, West Australian Young Voices and Western Australian Youth Orchestra.
"I often say that the arts nurture our souls and communities, they essentially make life worth living. We trade in human emotion and art touches all of us every day."
The Performing Arts WA Awards were hosted by Artist Relief Fund WA and recognised dance, musicals, opera and cabaret from WA.
The event was funded by the Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries, Arts and Culture Trust WA, Minderoo Foundation, Sandy Anghie, CircuitWest, Media Entertainent and Arts Alliance, Artist Management Australia, Moore Creative Artists, Harlequin Floors and Media Super.
2023 Performing Arts Western Australia Awards
Best Production
La Traviata – by West Australian Opera, Opera Queensland and State Opera South Australia
The Addams Family – by Zealous Productions
Best Mainstage Production
GLORIA - by Co3 Contemporary
The Smallest Stage – by Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre for Perth Festival
Best Independent Production
Petrushka (Game, Set, Match) – by Scott Elstermann
Takatāpui – by Daley Rangi and The Blue Room Theatre for Summer Nights
Outstanding Performer
Dayana Hardy Acuña - in Swan Lake by West Australian Ballet
David Mack - in Petrushka (Game, Set, Match) by Scott Elstermann
Tyrone Earl Lraé Robinson - in Petrushka (Game, Set, Match) by Scott Elstermann
Julio Blanes - in Goldberg Variations by West Australian Ballet
Outstanding Choreography
Scott Elstermann - for Petrushka (Game, Set, Match)
Outstanding New Work
Petrushka (Game, Set, Match) – by Scott Elstermann
Panawathi Girl – by David Milroy and Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company for Perth Festival
Barracking for the Umpire - by Andrea Gibbs and Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA
Outstanding Newcomer
Bethany Reece – in And The Earth Will Swallow Them Whole by Rachel Arianne Ogle for Perth Festival
Tinashe Mangwana – in Blue/Orange by Joe Penhall by THEATRE 180
Samantha Clarke – in La Traviata by West Australian Opera, Opera Queensland and State Opera South Australia
Outstanding Ensemble
The Ensemble - for Panawathi Girl by David Milroy and Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company for Perth Festival
The Ensemble - for The Complete Show of Water Skiing by Samantha Hortin and The Blue Room Theatre
Outstanding Duet or Ensemble
The Ensemble – for Goldberg Variations by West Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performer in a Leading Role
Paul O'Neill – in Tosca by West Australian Opera
Brendan Hanson – in The Addams Family by Zealous Productions
Georgia King – in Mama Stitch – Mandurah by Whiskey & Boots
Meyne Wyatt – in City of Gold by Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA and Sydney Theatre Company for Perth Festival
Outstanding Performer in a Supporting Role
Rachelle Durkin – in Our Little Inventor by West Australian Opera in association with AWESOME Festival, West Australian Young Voices and Western Australian Youth Orchestra
Rachel Monamy – in The Addams Family by Zealous Productions
Alicia Osyka – in SIT! (Or I'll Make You Sit) by Morgan Owen and The Blue Room Theatre
Joel Jackson – in Barracking for the Umpire by Andrea Gibbs and Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA
Outstanding Musical Direction or Conducting
Joe Louis Robinson and Joshua James Webb – for CHICAGO A Musical Vaudeville by Drew Anthony Creative
Outstanding Direction, Movement Direction or Choreography
Michael McCall – for The Addams Family by Zealous Productions
Outstanding Direction of a Mainstage Production
Melissa Cantwell – for Mary Stuart by Performing Lines WA in association with Fremantle Theatre Company for Perth Festival
Outstanding Direction of an Independent Production
Izzy McDonald – for SIT! (Or I'll Make You Sit) by Morgan Owen and The Blue Room Theatre
Outstanding Composition or Arranging
Emma Jayakumar – for Our Little Inventor by West Australian Opera in association with AWESOME Festival, West Australian Young Voices and Western Australian Youth Orchestra
Outstanding Contemporary or Experimental Performance
Telephone – by The Last Great Hunt
Outstanding Sound Design
Tim Collins – for Cicada by Barking Gecko Theatre
Outstanding Stage Design
Bruce McKinven and Amalia Lambert – for Mary Stuart by Performing Lines WA in association with Fremantle Theatre Company for Perth Festival
Outstanding Costume Design
Bruce McKinven and Amalia Lambert – for Mary Stuart by Performing Lines WA in association with Fremantle Theatre Company for Perth Festival
Outstanding Lighting Design
Lucy Birkinshaw – for The Glass Menagerie by Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA
Outstanding Achievement by an Interstate Artist
Shari Sebbens – in City of Gold by Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA and Sydney Theatre Company for Perth Festival
Lifetime Achievement Award
Sue Peacock and David King - in honour of their contribution to the performing arts industry of WA.
