The Helpmann Awards are accolades for live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group Live Performance Australia (LPA) since 2001.
The annual awards recognise achievements in the disciplines of musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, opera, classical music, theatre, dance 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 for West End theatre.
The Helpmann Awards were last awarded in 2019. LPA cancelled the 2020 and 2021 awards due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No public statement has been made for subsequent years.
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, direction, choreography, lighting, sound, music, costume and scenic design and production, in the disciplines of musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, opera, classical music, theatre, dance 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 manager James Cassius Williamson), 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 Concert
Ceremony 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 Opera House 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 channels, and since 2018 live on ABC Television.
Date Host/Hosts Network Venue Ref.25 March 2001Simon Burke rowspan="3" Lyric Theatre6 May 2002Star City Show Room19 May 20039 August 2004OvationLyric Theatre 8 August 200531 July 2006 Fox86 August 2007 Jonathan BigginsBio. Capitol Theatre28 July 2008Jonathan Biggins and Julia Zemiro Lyric Theatre27 July 2009Sydney Opera House6 September 2010 David CampbellStudio1 August 2011 Jonathan Biggins24 September 2012 Simon Burke29 July 2013 Eddie Perfect and Christie Whelan-Browne Arena18 August 2014 Jonathan BigginsCapitol Theatre27 July 2015 Todd McKenneyFoxtel Arts25 July 2016 Helen Dallimore, Guy Noble, Simon Philips, Queenie van de Zandt and The Umbilical Brothers Lyric Theatre24 July 2017 Jan van de Stool and Tim DraxlCapitol Theatre, Sydney15 & 16 July 2018 Glenn A Baker AM, Rafael Bonachela, David Campbell, Jacqueline Dark, Anne Edmonds and Tony SheldonABC14 & 15 July 2019 Susie Youssef and Mitchell Butel Arts Centre Melbourne2020 and 2021 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic rowspan="2"; colspan="2" 2022 and 2023 Event did not occur 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