Nominees announced for Performing Arts WA Awards

The 2023 Performing Arts WA Awards Ceremony, held on Monday, October 30, in the Heath Ledger Theatre, will celebrate achievement in Western Australian professional live performance in 2022, covering both mainstage and independent performances. 

With new presentation funding, support from The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSCI) and Arts & Culture Trust, the awards will move from the foyer space to the Heath Ledger Theatre at State Theatre Centre.

This capacity increase allows for a greater scale event and increased audience members, with the Awards now also including dance, musicals, opera and cabaret across WA.

The Awards will again be hosted this year by Artist Relief Fund WA, a charity which supports arts workers experiencing hardship.

“The annual Awards are an integral part of the professional performing arts in WA – creating a vital opportunity for us to celebrate with our peers,” said Artist Relief Fund WA Chair Monica Main. “I’m thrilled the 2023 Awards will be help in the Heath Ledger Theatre – the perfect venue for us to honour excellence in live performance in WA.”

WA Opera’s Our Little Inventor (pictured above) received the most nominations, featuring in twelve categories. Other big nominees include Black Swan State Theatre Company‘s hit footy family comedy Barracking for the Umpire with eight nominations; Yirra Yaakin’s new musical Panawathi Girl with nine nominations; and local independent contemporary dance show Petrushka (Game, Set, Match) with six nominations.

A total of 37 productions will vie for 33 awards this year, in addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award. Six promising WAAPA students will also receive The Artist Relief Fund’s Student Endowments, which are supported by Mindaroo Foundation. 

The 2023 Performing Arts WA Awards Ceremony will be held at Heath Ledger Theatre on Monday, October 30, 2023. For more info and to buy tickets, head to artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au