The story of a young autistic man navigating a world 'full of miscommunications, misnomers and misunderstandings' has been awarded the 2022-23 Queensland Premier's Drama Award (QPDA).
Earlier this year, more than 200 QPDA entries were narrowed down to just three finalists – Ryan Enniss for Drizzle Boy, Phoebe Grainer for Sugar Cane (previously titled Burning House) and Anthony Mullins for The Norman Mailer Anecdote.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated Ryan Enniss on his winning entry – Drizzle Boy – praising the play's themes and appeal for inclusivity and acceptance.
"Since 2002, the Queensland Premier's Drama Award has proudly showcased the outstanding diversity of creative voices in Australian theatre," the Premier said.
"Drawing on his own journey after being diagnosed as autistic at age 19, Ryan's play asks us to see, and think, differently.
"Stories about neurodiverse people and experiences have great value, especially when they're done with humour and heart."
Alongside a professional production of Drizzle Boy as part of Queensland Theatre's 2023 Season, Mr Enniss receives a $16,000 fee to develop the play ahead of the premiere production and a $30,000 cash prize from Queensland Premier's Drama Award prize sponsor Griffith University.
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Queensland Premier's Drama Award had made a powerful contribution to the Queensland arts sector over the last two decades.
"To date, the Queensland Premier's Drama Award – facilitated by Queensland Theatre – has developed 36 new Australian plays and employed more than 260 local actors, writers and directors," Minister Enoch said.
"10 QPDA-winning works have received a season on the Queensland Theatre mainstage – playing to a collective audience of more than 40,000 people.
"On-stage and off, the Queensland Government is committed to enriching the State through new cultural works and experiences, and providing opportunities for Queensland creatives to develop their skills and share their talent.
"The 2022-23 State Budget includes a $115.6 million arts funding boost over the next four years, including $50 million to support Grow 2022-2026, the second action plan supporting Creative Together 2020-2030: A 10-Year Roadmap for arts, culture and Creativity in Queensland."
Queensland Theatre Artistic Director Lee Lewis said Drizzle Boy was ultimately a hopeful play, born out of challenging time.
"I like that out of all the difficulties of the past two years – COVID-19, floods, global confusion, and darkness – there is a play that reminds us that our writers can take our darkness and make light," Ms Lewis said.
"Ryan's experience is centered in the play, but the world of the play is filled with all the absurdities of our fears.
"Ryan sees the world as the afraid, confused and angry place that it is, but he turns it into comedy not at his own expense."
The Queensland Premier's Drama Award is an initiative of the Queensland Government, delivered in partnership with Queensland Theatre.
