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The Helpmann Awards are accolades for live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group Live Live Performance Australia (LPA) since 2001.
The annual awards recognise achievements in the disciplines of
The Helpmann Awards were established in 2001 by the Australian Entertainment Industry Association (now known as Live Performance Australia (LPA)). They are named in honour of Australian actor, choreographer, dancer and theatre director, Sir Robert Helpmann.
At the inaugural Helpmann Awards, twenty six accolades were handed out for achievements in
Each year is linked to the full list of winners and nominees from that year following the ceremony.
Helpmann Awards trophy picture
{{Helpmann Awards Australian theatre awards Australian music awards
musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movemen ...
, contemporary music
Contemporary classical music is classical music composed close to the present day. At the beginning of the 21st century, it commonly referred to the post-1945 modern forms of post-tonal music after the death of Anton Webern, and included serial ...
, comedy, opera, classical music
Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical music, as the term "classical music" also ...
, theatre, dance
Dance is a performing art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. This movement has aesthetic and often symbolic value. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...
and physical theatre. Over forty awards are given to productions, festivals and concerts, and for individuals for their work in performance, direction, choreography, lighting, sound, music, costume and scenic design.
They are named in honour of ballet dancer, choreographer, director and actor Sir Robert Helpmann.
The awards are the Australian equivalent of the United States' Tony Awards for Broadway theatre and the United Kingdom's Laurence Olivier Awards
The Laurence Olivier Awards, or simply the Olivier Awards, are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre in London at an annual ceremony in the capital. The awards were originally known as ...
for West End theatre.
History
The Helpmann Awards were established in 2001 by the Australian Entertainment Industry Association (now known as Live Performance Australia (LPA)). They are named in honour of Australian actor, choreographer, dancer and theatre director, Sir Robert Helpmann.
At the inaugural Helpmann Awards, twenty six accolades were handed out for achievements in performance
A performance is an act of staging or presenting a play, concert, or other form of entertainment. It is also defined as the action or process of carrying out or accomplishing an action, task, or function.
Management science
In the work place ...
, direction, choreography
Choreography is the art or practice of designing sequences of movements of physical bodies (or their depictions) in which Motion (physics), motion or Visual appearance, form or both are specified. ''Choreography'' may also refer to the design ...
, lighting, sound, music, costume and scenic design
Scenic design (also known as scenography, stage design, or set design) is the creation of theatrical, as well as film or television scenery. Scenic designers come from a variety of artistic backgrounds, but in recent years, are mostly trained ...
and production, in the disciplines of musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movemen ...
, contemporary music
Contemporary classical music is classical music composed close to the present day. At the beginning of the 21st century, it commonly referred to the post-1945 modern forms of post-tonal music after the death of Anton Webern, and included serial ...
, comedy, opera, classical music
Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical music, as the term "classical music" also ...
, theatre, dance
Dance is a performing art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. This movement has aesthetic and often symbolic value. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...
and physical theatre. Over the years the categories expanded and now include many more honours.
Aims and description
The aim of the awards is to promote Australia's live entertainment industry, both locally and internationally, by: recognising artistic achievements; administering the awards with integrity; ensuring the awards are celebrated by the industry and Australian community; and ensuring the ceremony is the most prestigious awards in the local industry and the highlight of each season. Special non-competitive prizes are also bestowed upon individuals: the JC Williamson Award (named after theatre managerJames Cassius Williamson
James Cassius Williamson (26 August 1845 – 6 July 1913) was an American actor and later Australia's foremost impresario, founding the J. C. Williamson's theatrical and production company.
Born in Pennsylvania, Williamson moved with his famil ...
), for one's life's work in Australia's live entertainment industry. This is the highest honour presented by Live Performance Australia. Other special awards are the Sue Nattrass Award, which recognises outstanding achievement in a field without high public profile, the Brian Stacey Memorial Award, and an award for Best Special Event.
Eligibility and voting
To be eligible for the Helpmann Awards, a production must: be produced or presented by an LPA Member, or professionally produced by a non-Member that has paid an Industry Service Fee for the production; fall within the artistic or industry award categories; and officially open in Australia during the season (or for Best Regional Touring Production Award, undertake its first Australian regional tour during the season). Exemptions from the entry criteria can be granted in exceptional circumstances by a committee consisting of the LPA president, chief executive and chair of the Helpmann Awards Administration Committee (HAAC). Nine nominating panels determine the nominees for their respective fields. These are: cabaret, children's presentation, comedy, contemporary music, dance and physical theatre, industry awards, musicals, opera and classical music, and theatre. The nominating panels comprises artists, creatives, arts administrators, writers, journalists, producers, promoters, venue managers and educators. The HAAC selects the chair of each panel, who in turn chooses the members of their respective fields. The nominations are then determined by each of them, who choose four per category. The winners are determined in a secret online ballot by the voters who are employees of LPA members, panelists and previous Helpmann winners and nominees.Award categories
The award categories are currently: ;Theatre * Best Play * Best Direction of a Play * Best Male Actor in a Play * Best Female Actor in a Play * Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role – Play * Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Play ;Musicals * Best Musical * Best Direction of a Musical * Best Choreography in a Musical * Best Male Actor in a Musical * Best Female Actor in a Musical * Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role – Musical * Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Musical ;Opera and classical music * Best Opera * Best Symphony Orchestra Concert * Best Chamber and Instrumental Ensemble Concert * Best Direction of an Opera * Best Male Performer in an Opera * Best Female Performer in an Opera * Best Male Performer in a Supporting Role – Opera * Best Female Performer in a Supporting Role – Opera * Best Individual Classical Music Performance ;Dance and physical theatre *Best Ballet *Best Dance Production * Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production * Best Choreography in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production * Best Male Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production * Best Female Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production ;Contemporary music * Best International Contemporary Concert * Best Australian Contemporary Concert * Best Contemporary Music Festival ;Other * Best Regional Touring Production * Best Comedy Performer * Best Cabaret Performer * Best Presentation for Children ;Industry * Best New Australian Work * Best Original Score * Best Music Direction * Best Costume Design * Best Scenic Design * Best Lighting Design * Best Sound Design ;Special awards * JC Williamson Award * Sue Nattrass Award * Brian Stacey Memorial Award * Best Special Event ;Retired * Best Ballet or Dance Work *Best Classical Concert Presentation * Best Contemporary Concert Presentation *Best Live Music Presentation * Best Performance in an Australian Contemporary ConcertCeremony
The annual Helpmann Awards ceremony is usually held between May and September. They have been variously held in Sydney at the Star City Show Room,Sydney Lyric
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountains ...
, Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney. Located on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour, it is widely regarded as one of the world's most famous and distinctive buildings and a masterpiece of 20th-century architec ...
and the Capitol Theatre, and at the Arts Centre Melbourne. Australian stage and screen actor Simon Burke has presided over the event seven times, the most of any other person, from 2001 to 2006, and again in 2012. The awards have been broadcast since 2004 on various Foxtel
Foxtel is an Australian pay television company—operating in cable television, direct broadcast satellite television, and IPTV streaming services. It was formed in April 2018, superseding an earlier company from 1995. The service was establi ...
channels, and since 2018 live on ABC Television.
Each year is linked to the full list of winners and nominees from that year following the ceremony.
References
External links
*Helpmann Awards trophy picture
{{Helpmann Awards Australian theatre awards Australian music awards