- The Queensland Premier's Drama Award is now open for submissions.
- The biennial award, delivered by Queensland Theatre, supports playwrights to develop new work and connect their stage production to new audiences.
- The winning submission will also receive a cash prize of $30,000 recognising the necessary time to develop new work.
One of Australia's most prestigious honours for playwrights - the Queensland Premier's Drama Award 2026 (QPDA) – has opened for nominations with a bold new approach to theatre-making.
The QPDA 2026 is seeking new and undeveloped ideas without a completed script to encourage innovative, inclusive, and relevant storytelling, and to ensure that voices from across Queensland are heard.
Individual and collectives are invited to submit up to three pitches during the process, with three finalists selected to participate in a regionally based, week-long writing residency.
The finalists will also have their developed work presented in a public reading in mid-2026 prior to the selection and announcement of the award winner.
The winning submission will be developed and staged by Queensland Theatre, whose Artistic Director Daniel Evans won the QPDA in 2015 with Oedipus Doesn't Live Here Anymore.
The QPDA has supported writers and Queensland Theatre for more than twenty years and is the only national playwriting award to guarantee a mainstage production by a major performing arts company.
The 2025 winner, Malacangang Made Us by Jordan Shea, will open at the Billie Brown Studio, Brisbane on 18 October.
Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said Queensland Theatre and the QPDA provided unique opportunities for playwrights to develop new works and share their stories with Queensland audiences.
"Storytellers and artists are central to Queensland's cultural vibrancy and our creative economy, providing communities across the state with exceptional arts experiences," Minister Langbroek said.
"The Crisafulli Government's investment in Queensland Theatre and the QPDA supports artists to sustain their careers and strengthens the state's reputation as a leading cultural destination ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games."
Queensland Theatre Artistic Director Daniel Evans said Queensland Theatre acknowledged the significant long-term government investment in the QPDA, and shared his delight to once again join forces with Griffith University to celebrate and champion theatre makers from across the country.
"We're all about crafting exceptional unforgettable theatre, and we know first-hand the power that a compelling story - and a platform to share it - can have," Mr Evans said.
"This is one of the most prestigious awards for theatre in Australia and the creativity, imagination and vision it inspires is exhilarating every single time.
"The Queensland Premier's Drama Award holds a deeply personal place in my heart. I know just how deeply transformative this opportunity can be and I'm excited to see where the next great story will come from."
Griffith University Pro Vice Chancellor (Arts, Education and Law) and Assistant Vice Chancellor (Cultural Curation and Community Partnerships), Professor Scott Harrison, said Griffith University was delighted to once again support the Queensland Premier's Drama Award.
"From what began with a production sponsorship with Queensland Theatre more than 20 years ago, we're proud to play a role in seeing so many incredible productions and emerging talent realised, and we recognise that the continuation of live theatre in Queensland is vital," Professor Harrison said.
