Wellington Theatre Awards

The Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai / Wellington Theatre Awards are the main theatre awards in New Zealand's capital city, Wellington established in 2015 after the previous awards sponsor ended their support. They are awarded annually.

Wellington Theatre Awards
TypeWellington, New Zealand theatre awards
Formerly calledChapman Tripp Theatre Awards
Established2015
Websitehttps://wellingtontheatre.wixsite.com/awards

The previous awards were called the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, established in 1992 and sponsored by law firm Chapman Tripp.[1]

2023 awards

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The 32nd Annual Wellington Theatre Awards of 2023 were presented at the Hannah Playhouse on Sunday 10th December. Funded by Wellington City Council, BATS Theatre, Taki Rua Productions, Circa Theatre and Playmarket.[2]

Award Winner Notes
Mayoral Significant Contribution to Theatre Professor David O’Donnell
The Willem Wassenaar Most Promising Newcomer Award Finley Hughes The Haka Party Incident
The George Webby Most Promising Newcomer Tessa Redman LOVE/LOVE/LOVE/LOVE/LOVE
Lighting Designer of the Year Isadora Lao The Coven on Grey Street, O Le Pepelo, Le Gaio Ma Le Pala’ai, ARAWHATA
Sound Designer of the Year Oliver Devlin Whole New Woman
Outstanding Composer of Music Freya Daly Sadgrove, Oliver Devlin, Samuel Austin, Ingrid Saker and Thomas Friggens Whole New Woman
Set Designer of the Year Dan Williams Public Service Announcements: Election 2023
Paul Jenden Costume Designer of the Year Meg Rollandi The Importance of Being Earnest
The Peter Harcourt New Playwright Freya Daly Sadgrove Whole New Woman
New Aotearoa Play Katie Wolfe The Haka Party Incident
The Absolutely Most Original Production One Night Band
Excellence Award for Ensemble ARAWHATA
The Dorothy McKegg Actor of the Year Julie Edwards The Sun and the Wind
The Grant Tilly Performer of the Year Erina Daniels ONO
The Campion Accolade for Outstanding Performance Nī Dekkers-Reihana The Haka Party Incident
The Michele Amas Accolade for Outstanding Performance Isobel MacKinnon The Importance of Being Earnest
Director of the Year Katie Wolfe The Haka Party Incident
Community Awards
The Kate Sheppard Grindset Award Maeve O’Connell
The Guardians of the Future Save VUW Theatre – Kerryn Palmer, James Wenley, Sarah Thomasson, Lucas Neal, David O’Donnell, Paul Tozer, Rebekah De Roo and Katie Hill
A Leading Light of Accessible Theatre Jo Marsh
Rangatahi Award for the Next Generation of Excellence Wellington Young Actors Group
The Theatre Style Icon Award Colleen McColl

2022 awards

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Presented at a ceremony at the Hannah Playhouse on Sunday 11th December 2022. Funded by Wellington City Council, BATS Theatre, Taki Rua Productions, Circa Theatre and Playmarket.[3]

Award Winner Notes
Mayoral Significant Contribution to Theatre Rangimoana Taylor [3]
The Willem Wassenaar Most Promising Newcomer Award Reon Bell Wednesday to Come by Renee, Flames
The George Webby Most Promising Newcomer Award Bjorn Aslund ROXY, Sublime Interludes, The Everchanging Boy, An Honest Conversation
Lighting Designer of the Year Brynne Tasker-Poland Skin Tight, UNDOING
Sound Designer of the Year Jason Wright Destination Mars
Production Designer of the Year Lucas Neal Skin Tight by Gary Henderson
The Paul Jenden Costume Designer of the Year Emma Stevens ROXY
Outstanding Composer of Music Tane Upjohn-Beatson The Griegol
The Peter Harcourt New Playwright of the Year Isaac Martyn He Māori?
New Aotearoa Play Carrie Rudzinski and Olivia Hall Hysterical
The Absolutely Positively Most Original Production First Buzzard at the Body By Elliot Vaughan
Excellence Award for Choreography Skin Tight by Gary Henderson
Excellence Awards for Innovative Contribution to the Industry and/or Community DAFT: Disabled Artist’s Festival of Theatre

Performing Arts of Young People Aotearoa (PAYPA) Fresh off the Page

three awards given
The Grant Tilly Actor of the Year Rutene Spooner Thoroughly Modern Maui
The Dorothy McKegg Actor of the Year Miriama McDowell The Wasp
The Campion Accolade for Outstanding Performance Jthan Morgan The Mermaid, The Tiwhas, Too Much Hair, Pinocchio
The Michele Amas Accolade for Outstanding Performance Ella Gilbert Skin Tight by Gary Henderson
Excellence Award for Ensemble The Swing by Helen Pearse-Otene
Excellence Award for Theatre for Young Audiences not awarded
Excellence Award for Theatre for Social Change Te Ahu Taiohi Produced by Tāwhiri
Director of the Year Hannah Smith The Griegol by Hannah Smith and Ralph McCubbin Howell
Production of the Year The Griegol by Hannah Smith and Ralph McCubbin Howell
Community Awards

Heart of Gold Awards: Sepelini Mua’au, Hannah Kelly, Nī Dekkers-Reihana, Austin Harrison, Aimee Sullivan

Save the Day Award: Tony Black

Community Arts Mahi Award: Voice Arts

Big Mentor Energy Award: Deb McGuire

Front of House Superstar Award: Harish Purohit

Voice of Reason Award: Sam Brooks

The Newsies Award: Simon Howard

2020 awards

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Because of the massive disruption and closure to performing arts in 2020 caused by COVID-19 the awards took a different approach with awards categories being:[4]

  • Theatre Angels - people who've really helped out individuals and collectives, especially over lockdown and have been the spirit of the industry
  • Community Award Winners - with the following headings: Twenty Twenty Best Entrance, The Genuine Good Guy Award, Te Auaha Best Lockdown Mentor Award, The # Pivot to Digital Award
  • Ghost Light Award Winners - to acknowledge those who used their skills to not just tend to our garden, but grow it, weed it, help us not just get through a difficult time, but used their skills and platform, as an opportunity to shed light on practises and customs no longer working for us, as practitioners, and as people.

In addition in 2020 there was the usual Mayoral Significant Contribution to Theatre which went to Carolyn Henwood.[4]

Award Winner Notes
Mayoral Significant Contribution to Theatre Carolyn Henwood Henwood "was one of the group of 15 who founded Circa Theatre in 1976", and "was the driver in establishing the Theatre Artists Charitable Trust".[5]
Theatre Angels Carrie Green

Eleanor Strathern

George Fowler

Jake Brown

Jean Sergent

Vanessa Imminik

For lifting people's spirits during lockdown.

"For working tirelessly through lockdown contacting hundreds of Circa patrons to refund tickets"

"An incredible performer, improviser, dancer, drag king extraordinaire"

"Jake Brown’s rage energy, gleaming smile and beautiful openness lights up our community"

"For her enormous commitment to and involvement in the Wellington theatre industry"

"For going out of her way to keep everyone informed of job listings and important info"[5]

Community Award: Twenty Twenty Best Entrance Jennifer O'Sullivan "Long-time NZ Improv Festival Director Jennifer O'Sullivan not only produced and directed the Festival this year, but gave birth to her first child on opening night."[5]
Community Award: Genuine Good Guy Award William (Bill) Paankink - Te Auaha "an all round genuine good person in our community"[5]
Community Award: Best Lockdown Mentor Award Sasha Gibb "for mentoring numerous young, emerging theatre and events artists, producers and general practitioners over lockdown"[5]
Community Award: The # Pivot to Digital Award Tane Hipango, Brynne Tasker-Poland and Benny Jennings “the sole reason that BATS was able to get into livestreaming as soon as lockdown started”.[5]
Ghost Light Award BATS Theatre

Circa Theatre

Claire Mabey

PANNZ - Auckland Live

Tahi Festival

Tanemahuta Gray & Meg Williams

"BATS once again proved to be a leader and safe haven in our community"

"During the chaos of the March lockdown, this theatre stepped up as a community leader"

"Claire Mabey is a force of nature in the Wellington arts community."

"the PANNZ Online Hui Series provided us with a space to come together to share knowledge"

"The Tahi Festival supported emerging artists, the development of new work, and honoured the whakapapa of solo performance in Aotearoa."

"For their mahi and advocacy for the theatre and wider arts sectors"[5]

2019 awards

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The 2019 awards ceremony was held on Sunday 8 December at Shed 6 on the Wellington waterfront. Stella Reid was MC.[6]

Award Winner Notes
The Willem Wassenaar Most Promising Newcomer Award Sam Tippet, Stage Manager Hamlet and Ransom
The George Webby Most Promising Newcomer Award Tahi, New Zealand Festival of Solo Performance
Lighting Designer of the Year Jennifer Lal, Pakaru
Sound Designer of the Year Jason Wright, The Clearing
Set Designer of the Year Sean Coyle, Pakaru
The Paul Jenden Costume Designer of the Year Rose Philpott and Tori Manley-Tapu, Orchids
The Constance Scott Kirkcaldie Award for Outstanding Composer of Music Eden Mulholland, Orchids
The Peter Harcourt New Playwright of the Year Abby Howells, HarleQueen
Outstanding New NZ Play Mitch Tawhi Thomas, Pakaru
The Absolutely Positively Most Original Production Captain Cook Thinks Again, Barbarian Productions
The Grant Tilly Actor of the Year Jason Te Kare, Cellfish
The Dorothy McKegg Actor of the Year Carrie Green, Cellfish
The Campion Accolade for Outstanding Performance Madeline McNamara, The Attitudes – Refusing Performance
The Michele Amas Accolade for Outstanding Performance Karin McCracken, Yes Yes Yes
Excellence Award for Performance Ensemble Pakaru, Hāpai Productions
Excellence Award for Theatre for Young Audiences Story Studio Live 2019, Capital E National Theatre for Children
Excellence Award for Theatre for Social Change Yes Yes Yes, Eleanor Bishop and Karin McCracken, produced by Zanetti Productions
Director of the Year Jo Randerson, Captain Cook Thinks Again
The Jack Jeffs Charitable Trust Production of the Year Pakaru, Hāpai Productions

2018 awards

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The 2018 awards ceremony was held at Te Papa on Sunday 9 December, MCed by Jo Randerson. The event had a theme honouring 125 years of women's suffrage.[7]

Award Winner Notes
The George Webby Most Promising Newcomer Award Eleanor Strathern, Producer, A Mulled Whine
The Willem Wassenaar Most Promising Newcomer Award Trae Te Wiki, Acting Hine Kahāwai; Writing Beneath Skin and Bone
The Mayoral Award for Significant Contribution to Theatre Sue Paterson Accepted posthumously by her son Jack Paterson.[7]
Lighting Designer of the Year Rachel Marlow, Wild Dogs and Peter and the Wolf
Sound Designer of the Year Eden Mulholland, Meremere and Rushes
The Constance Scott Kirkaldie Outstanding Composer of Music Robin Kelly, Valerie
Set Designer of the Year John Verryt, Rushes
The Paul Jenden Costume Designer of the Year Sheila Horton, Bloomsbury Women and the Wild Colonial Girl
The Peter Harcourt New Playwright of the Year Hōhepa Waitoa, He Kura E Huna Ana
Outstanding new New Zealand Play of the Year D. F. Mamea, Still Life with Chickens
The Absolutely Positively Most Original Production of the Year Jane Doe, Zanetti Productions
The Grant Tilly Actor of the Year Rodney Bell, Meremere
The Dorothy McKegg Actress of the Year Anapela Polataivao, Wild Dogs Under my Skirt
The Campion Accolade for Outstanding Performance Goretti Chadwick, Still Life with Chickens
The Michele Amas Accolade for Outstanding Performance Anya Tate-Manning, My Best Dead Friend 
Excellence Award for AV Design Rowan Pierce, Big J Stylez and Meremere and Rushes
Excellence Award for Puppetry  Peter and The Wolf
Excellence Award for Community Engagement  Taurima Vibes, Breathe and All Good
Director of the Year Malia Johnston, Meremere and Rushes
The Jack Jeffs Charitable Trust Production of the Year Wild Dogs Under my Skirt, NZ Festival and FCC "for its expert staging and cast of powerful Pasefika women"[7]

2017 awards

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The 2017 awards ceremony was held on Sunday 10 December at St James Theatre, Wellington, and MCed for a third year by James Nokise. The Mayoral Award was presented by Justin Lester.[8]

Award Winner Notes
The George Webby Most Promising Newcomer Karin McCracken, Wine Lips, Body Double
The Willem Wassenaar Most Promising Newcomer Lucas Neal, Gallatea, Yellow Face, Marine Snow
The Mayoral Award for Significant Contribution to Theatre Laughton Pattrick – composer, musical director, musician, singing teacher "whose decades of work in theatre, as a composer and as a music teacher have enriched the lives of thousands of students, theatre makers and theatre goers."[8]
Lighting Designer of the Year Marcus McShane, The Father, Body Double, A Doll’s House
Sound Designer of the Year Lucien Johnson, Lobsters
Set Designer of the Year Ian Harman, A Doll’s House, Hand to God
The Paul Jenden Costume Designer of the Year Cara Louise Waretini, The Night Mechanics
The Constance Scott Kirkaldie Outstanding Composer of Music Alex Taylor, Dido and Aeneas: Recomposed
The Peter Harcourt New Playwright of the Year Natano Keni and Sarita So, Riverside Kings
Outstanding New New Zealand Play Emma Kinane, Anahera
The Absolutely Positively Most Original Production Dido and Aeneas: Recomposed
The Grant Tilly Actor of the Year Tom Clarke, Wine Lips/Hand to God
The Dorothy McKegg Actress of the Year Neenah Dekkers-Reihana, Anahera, The Mooncake and the Kūmara
The Campion Accolade for Outstanding Performance Carmel McGlone, Lobsters
The Michele Amas Accolade for Outstanding Performance Dawn Cheong, The Night Mechanics
Excellence Award for Design Tanemahuta Gray, Gillie Coxhill, Nathan McKendry, Tiki Taane, Sam Trevethick, Guy Benfield, David Strong, Rowan Pierce, Dave Spark and Matthew Knight for Tiki Taane Mahuta. For full production design[8]
Excellence Award for Ensemble Performance Lobsters, Borderline Arts Ensemble
Excellence Award for Innovative Contribution to the Industry and/or community Te Haukāinga – Taki Rua Productions
Director of the Year Jane Yonge, The Basement Tapes
The Jack Jeffs Production of the Year Body Double A STAB Commission, from Zanetti Productions[8]

2016 awards

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The 2016 awards ceremony was held on Sunday 11 December at Te Whaea, hosted by James Nokise.[9]

Award Winner Notes
Most Promising Male Newcomer Tom Clarke, The Devil's Half-Acre
Most Promising Female Newcomer Susie Berry, Jekyll and Hyde
The George Webby Most Promising New Director Of The Year Stella Reid, Orphans
The Peter Harcourt Outstanding New Playwright Of The Year Carrie Green, Man Parts – Dannevirke’s Greatest Female Tenor
The Judges’ Wildcard Barbarian Productions "both for their inventive and bold performances, as well as their creative community ignition and inspiration through workshops, inclusive practices and Industry talks – diligently making society better through their work."[9]
Lighting Designer Of The Year Rachel Marlow, Dust Pilgrim
Set Designer Of The Year Poppy Serano, Dust Pilgrim
The Paul Jenden Costume Designer Of The Year Sopheak Seng, The Vultures
Sound Designer Of The Year Oliver Devlin, The Seven Sons of Supparath
Mayor's Award For Service To Theatre Linda Wilson, Circa Theatre "for her tireless work behind the scenes of our beloved Circa Theatre"[9]
The Constance Scott Kirkaldie Award For Outstanding Composer Of Music Hayley Sproull, Vanilla Miraka
Absolutely Positively Most Original Production Of The Year A Trial Barbarian Productions and Binge Culture Collective
Outstanding New New Zealand Play Of The Year Rob Mokaraka, Shot Bro – Confessions of a Depressed Bullet
Supporting Actor Of The Year Andrew Paterson, Orphans
Supporting Actress Of The Year Anya Tate-Manning, Hudson and Halls Live
The Richard Campion Accolade For Outstanding Performance Rob Mokaraka, Shot Bro – Confessions of a Depressed Bullet
The Grant Tilly Actor Of The Year Chris Parker, Hudson and Halls Live
The Dorothy Mckegg Actress Of The Year Hayley Sproull, Vanilla Miraka
Director Of The Year Kip Chapman & Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Hudson and Halls Live in Wellington
Production Of The Year Hudson and Halls Live in Wellington – Silo Theatre "by Silo Theatre Auckland, telling a beautiful love story with humour, flamboyance and charm."[9]

2015 awards

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The 2015 awards ceremony was held on Sunday 6 December at Circa Theatre, hosted by James Nokise. The biggest winner was All Our Sons by Witi Ihimaera, produced by Taki Rua Productions and Circa Theatre. There were 21 categories of award, awarded as follows:[10][11]

Award Winner Notes
Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to Theatre The Critics "Especially noted was Laurie Atkinson (Evening Post / Dominion Post) for his 35 years service as a Wellington Theatre Reviewer"[11]
Most Promising Male Newcomer Andrew Paterson – The Angry Brigade
Most Promising Female Newcomer Carrie Green – Conversations With My Penis
The George Webby Most Promising New Director Miriama McDowellNga Pou Wahine
The Peter Harcourt Outstanding New Playwright Helen Vivienne Fletcher – How To Catch A Grim Reaper
The Paul Jenden Costume Designer of the Year Ian Harman - The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Lighting Designer of the Year Jen Lal – All Our Sons
Set Designer of the Year Ian Harman – Ache
Sound Designer of the Year Maaka McGregor – All Our Sons
Most Original Production All Our Sons – Taki Rua Productions / Circa Theatre
The Constance Scott Kircaldie Outstanding Composer of Music Phil Jones – The Kitchen at the End of the World
Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play Not in our Neighbourhood – Jamie McCaskill / Tikapa Productions
Supporting Actor of the Year Jamie McCaskill – Seed
Supporting Actress of the Year Brianne Kerr – Richard III
The Richard Campion Accolade for Outstanding Performance Renee Lyons – Ache
The Dorothy McKegg Actress of the Year Kali KopaeNot In Our Neighbourhood
The Grant Tilly Actor of the Year Rob MokarakaAll Our Sons
Director of the Year Nathaniel LeesAll Our Sons
Production of the Year All Our Sons – Taki Rua Productions / Circa Theatre
Critics’ Wildcard Tawata Productions "for their tireless and inspired work creating Matariki Festival"[11]
Outstanding Contribution to the Wellington Theatre Timothy Gordon "for his advocacy and leadership of the Theatre Awards"[11]
Outstanding Contribution to Wellington Theatre Neil Gray, of Chapman Tripp "for his patronage and support of the Theatre Awards"[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards". Chapman Tripp. Archived from the original on 20 February 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  2. ^ "Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai presents the 32nd Annual Wellington Theatre Awards of 2023". Theatreview. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b "The Wellington Theatre Awards 2022 – Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai". New Zealand Theatre: theatre reviews, performance reviews - Theatreview. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai / Wellington Theatre Awards - Winner Announcements". The Big Idea. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai // Wellington Theatre Awards - Theatreview". www.theatreview.org.nz. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  6. ^ "NGA WHAKARĀKEI O WHĀITAITAI: WELLINGTON THEATRE AWARDS 2019 - Theatreview". www.theatreview.org.nz. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "NGĀ WHAKARĀKEI O WHĀTAITAI 2018 The Wellington Theatre Awards - Theatreview". www.theatreview.org.nz. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d "WELLINGTON THEATRE AWARDS Ngā Whakarākei o Whātaitai 2017 - Theatreview". www.theatreview.org.nz. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d "WELLINGTON THEATRE AWARDS 2016 NOMINATIONS & WINNERS - Theatreview". www.theatreview.org.nz. 12 December 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Wellington Theatre Awards 2015". The Big Idea. 11 December 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Wellington Theatre Awards 2015 – Winners Announcement". Scoop News. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2021.