36th Annual Green Room Awards
A highlight on the Melbourne arts calendar, the annual Green Room Awards is a joyous celebration of local arts and artists. This year their achievements will be applauded at the iconic Comedy Theatre on April 1. Now in its 36th year, the Green Room Awards Association (GRAA) is Victoria’s peak body for honouring excellence and innovation across the vibrant arts sector.
As peer-presented Performing Arts Industry accolades, the Green Room Awards recognise outstanding achievements in productions from Cabaret, Contemporary and Experimental Performance, Dance, Independent Theatre, Music Theatre, Opera and Theatre Companies. The awards acknowledge the contributions of the many diverse artists and technicians who create work in the local industry. Its long history of previous winners includes influential dancers like Australian Ballet CEO David McAllister.
“This year we have an impressive number of nominees across all art forms, which tells us that the Victorian performing arts sector is flourishing,” shared GRAA President Hilary Glow. “In 2019 we also welcome the arrival in Melbourne of our sister awards, the Helpmanns. They have a national focus and tend to acknowledge the work of the big commercial music theatre productions and mainstage shows. The Green Room Awards, by comparison, are focused on Victoria with a (non-exclusive) emphasis on the independent and small-medium sector. So the two awards have quite different remits. The GRA ceremony is always a brilliant night of celebration.”
Every year the GRAA presents four special awards at the ceremony to individuals whose careers have been hugely significant for the sector. This year honours the following women whose dedication and work have shaped the landscape of the local industry, and beyond: Linda Catalano (being presented The Outstanding Contribution to Cabaret), Roslyn Oades (being presented The Technical Achievement Award), Jude Anderson (being presented The Geoffrey Milne Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Contemporary and Experimental Performance) and Patricia Cornelius (being presented The 2019 GRA Lifetime Achievement Award).
Hosted by local legends Anni Davey and Maude Davey, the 2019 ceremony will be a jam-packed night with live performances. This year will see one of the highest nomination counts ever considered in view of the outstanding work presented throughout 2018. Presentations will be made by valued Partners and Sponsors of the GRAA as well as arts industry professionals.
For more information visit www.greenroom.org.au.
Photo: YUMMY performing at the 35th Annual Green Room Awards in 2018. Photo by Gregory Lorenzutti and Frank Cecconi.