Wellington theatre excellence was celebrated and honoured at the 21st annual Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards ceremony held at the Paramount Cinema on Sunday December 9th.
Big winners on the night were The Maori Troilus and Cressida – Toroihi Raua Ko Kahira, receiving three awards, including Costume Design for Shona Tawhiao, Director of the Year for Rachel House and Production of the Year. The Prospect also received three awards, taking home New Director of the Year for Tammy Davis, Maraea Rakuraku is New Playwright of the Year and Rob Lloyd received Supporting Actor of the Year.
The 2012 Critics Wild Card went to Vance Fontaine and his Peculiar Sensations for their show Command Performance and in recognition of the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards turning 21 two gentlemen who have been there since the start - Laurie Atkinson reviewer for the Dominion Post and Neil Grey from Chapman Tripp were honoured. We sincerely thank them for their dedication and hard work over these 21 years.
Wellington Mayor, Celia Wade Brown, presented her Mayor’s Award for Significant Contribution to Theatre to Dawn Sanders for her tireless, committed, passionate advocacy and advancement of theatre – particularly Shakespeare in our schools and on national and international stages. Dawn is founder & Chief Executive of Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ; organises the annual University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festivals nationwide since 1992, National Shakespeare Schools Production, SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company – to name but a few of her many achievements.
MC’s for the evening saw the welcome return of The Cab Sav’s made up of talented theatre community members Asalemo Tofete, Bryony Skillington, Carmel McGlone, Gareth Farr/Lilith Lacriox , Hailey Sproull and Jessica Robinson - lamenting the loss of actors to Auckland, they created a song especially for Theatre Designers and honored the Divas.
The Chapman Tripp Theatrae Awards wish to sincerely thank all the sponsors, the theatres, the theatre community and the wonderful audiences continuing to make Wellington such an exciting Cultural Capital!
The Award Winners for 2012 are:
Critics Wild Card Vance Fontaine and his Peculiar Sensations - Command Performance Greg Ellis, Thom McGrath, Tane Upjohn-Beatson, Takumi Motokawa, Matiu Whiting
Circa Theatre Award Donated by TACT for the Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year Tim Carlsen - One Day Moko
Emerging Artist Trust Wellington Award for the Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year Victoria Abbott - West End Girls
The George Webby Award for Most Promising Director of the Year sponsored by Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School & Victoria University of Wellington Tammy Davis - The Prospect
The Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year Sponsored by BATS Theatre & Taki Rua Productions Maraea Rakuraku - The Prospect
Downstage Theatre Award for Most Original Production of the Year Paper Sky - Red Leap Theatre
Grouse Lighting Award for Lighting Designer of the Year Jennifer Lal - Into the Uncanny Valley
Weta Workshop Award for Set Designer of the Year John Verryt - Paper Sky
Brancott Estate Award for Costume Designer of the Year Shona Tawhiao - The Maori Troilus and Cressida – Toroihi Raua Ko Kahira
Park Road Post Production Award for Sound Designer of the Year Chris Ward – Peninsula
The Constance Scott Kirkcaldie Award for Outstanding Composer of Music Laughton Pattrick - Around the World and Buck Again
Playmarket and Captial E – National Theatre for Children Award for Outstanding New Zealand Play of the Year Peninsula - Gary Henderson
Absolutely Positively Award for Supporting Actress of the Year Nancy Brunning - Clybourne Park
Whitireia Performing Arts and Chapman Tripp Award for Supporting Actor of the Year Rob Lloyd - The Prospect
Chapman Tripp Accolade for Outstanding Performance Richard Dey - All My Sons
Chapman Tripp Accolade for Outstanding Performance Te Kohe Tuhaka - Michael James Manaia
Chapman Tripp Theatre Award for Actress of the Year Elena Stejko - A Shortcut to Happiness
The Grant Tilly Award for Actor of the Year sponsored by ProActors and eCaster Thomas Monckton - Moving Stationery
Museum Hotel Award for Director of the Year Rachel House - The Maori Troilus and Cressida – Toroihi Raua Ko Kahira
Chapman Tripp Award for Production of the Year The Maori Troilus and Cressida – Toroihi Raua Ko Kahira - Ngakau Toa
The Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre Dawn Sanders (CEO at Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand)
Media Release: Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards