The best and brightest in Queensland performing arts have been recognised at the 2019 Matilda Awards at the Brisbane Powerhouse tonight.
Attending the awards and presenting the coveted Gold Matilda, Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch congratulated all the nominees and recipients for their outstanding work.
"The annual Matilda Awards are a chance to celebrate the quality and diversity of the state's theatre scene, and the impressive vitality and breadth of this year's nominees and winners," Ms Enoch said.
"The Matilda Awards honour actors, designers, directors, playwrights, companies along with members of creative teams, and I'm pleased to see the 2019 Awards recognise new productions and emerging practitioners alongside the work of Queensland's established performing arts organisations."
Minister Enoch presented the Gold Matilda Award to shake & stir theatre company for creating mainstage and in-school productions of excellence, touring Australia and New Zealand since 2006.
"Congratulations to shake & stir on winning the Gold Matilda, which honours an individual, organisation or creative team for an outstanding contribution to theatre in Queensland," Ms Enoch said.
"Formed in 2006, shake & stir is one of Australia's leading contemporary theatre companies, touring its bold and exciting productions nationally and internationally and often using comedy to address social issues."
Winners were crowned in 19 categories, including the new QUT Creative Industries Backstage Award for outstanding work from technicians, stage managers and other behind-the-scenes workers, and this year it was awarded to stage manager and tour producer, Tanya Malouf.
Matilda Awards Chair, Deb Wilks, said the event was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the incredible array of theatre talent in the state.
"The Matilda Awards is now the 'night of nights' for the Queensland arts sector, bringing together our arts leaders, students and emerging artists," Ms Wilks said.
"The ceremony highlights the value of the arts to the wider Queensland community as it grows in stature every year."
Ms Enoch said the Palaszcsuk Government supports the awards as part of its commitment to the arts, recognising the role the sector plays in supporting cultural, social and economic development and in making creativity the key to a strong future for Queensland.
"Promoting and nurturing a vibrant and sustainable arts sector is an important part of supporting a healthy, thriving and connected state," she said.
"We have a lot to celebrate about the performing arts, with our state theatre company, Queensland Theatre, marking its 50th anniversary this year, and our independent sector and emerging artists producing bold and brilliant work."
Minister Enoch thanked the Matilda Award judging panel for their work in selecting the 2019 recipients.
