NIDA warmly congratulates our outstanding alumni, colleagues and board members who have won prestigious lifetime Helpmann Awards and AACTA Awards.
NIDA warmly congratulates our outstanding alumni, colleagues and board members who have won prestigious lifetime Helpmann Awards and AACTA Awards.
At the Helpmann awards at Sydney Opera House (Friday 1 December), three of our alumni were honoured with the 2017 Centenary JC Williamson Award recognising their outstanding contribution to the Australian live entertaining and performing arts industry, and as individuals who have shaped the future of our industry for the better.
Actor, director and artistic director Robyn Nevin AM (Acting, 1960) was among the first intake of acting students at NIDA. She has acted major roles for all of Australia’s state theatre companies and has been artistic director of Queensland Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company.
Robyn Archer AO (Chair, NIDA Master of Fine Arts (Cultural Leadership)) was awarded for her work as a singer, writer, director, festival artistic director and arts advocate. She is a world-renowned performer of classic European cabaret and her one-woman show A Star is Torn is legendary.
Jim Sharman (Production, 1965), was awarded for his work as a stage and screen director, whose many credits include landmark productions of the musicals Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Rocky Horror Show in Australia and overseas. He was artistic director of the ground-breaking 1982 Adelaide Festival of Arts and of Lighthouse for the State Theatre Company of South Australia. He has also directed productions for Opera Australia and his memoir Blood and Tinsel was published in 2008.
The awards follow alumni success at the Helpmann Awards 2017 with Robyn Nevin also winning Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for My Fair Lady, and Guy Simon (Acting, 2010) winning Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play for Jasper Jones.
NIDA also congratulates our alumni at the AACTA Awards at the Star Event Centre in Sydney on Wednesday 6 December.
The AACTA Awards are presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts(AACTA) to recognise excellence in the film and television industry, including the producers, directors, actors, writers, and cinematographers. It is the most prestigious awards ceremony in the Australian film and television industry.
Hugo Weaving (Acting, 1981) won the AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama for his role in Seven Types of Ambiguity for the ABC. The Award marks Hugo’s third consecutive AACTA Award, having received Best Supporting Actor at both the 5th and 6th AACTA Awards.
Fiona Donovan (Design, 1992) won the AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Television for A Place to Call Home, Episode 2, Fallout for Foxtel/Showcase.
Josh Lawson (Acting, 2001) was in the winning team for the AACTA Award for Best Short Fiction Film for The Eleven O’Clock.
Here is a list of NIDA students, graduates and Board Members who were nominated – winners are highlighted.
BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Richard Roxburgh (Acting, 1986)Blue Murder: Killer Cop – Seven Network
Hugo Weaving (Acting, 1981)Seven Types Of Ambiguity –ABC
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TELEVISION COMEDY
Darren Gilshenan (Acting, 1988)No Activity – Stan
Debra Lawrance (Acting, 1977)Please Like Me – ABC
BEST GUEST OR SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Andrea Demetriades (Acting, 2006)Seven Types Of Ambiguity – ABC
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Hugo Weaving (Acting, 1981)Jasper Jones
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jacqueline McKenzie (Acting, 1990)Don’t Tell
Susie Porter (Acting, 1995)Hounds Of Love
BEST SHORT FICTION FILM
The Eleven O’Clock Derin Seale, Josh Lawson (Acting, 2001), Karen Bryson
NIDA Design alumni:
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN IN TELEVISION
A Place To Call Home,Episode 2 – Fallout Fiona Donovan (Design, 1992), Foxtel/Showcase
BEST COSTUME DESIGN IN TELEVISION
A Place To Call Home, Episode 1 – Own Worst Enemy Lisa Meagher (Design, 1987), Foxtel/Showcase
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Dance Academy: The Movie, Tess Schofield (Design, 1986)
NIDA Directing alumni:
BEST SHORT FICTION FILM
Mrs McCutcheon, John Sheedy (Directing, 2002), Andre Lima, Jenny Vila
BEST TELEFEATURE OR MINI SERIES
Sunshine, Ian Collie (NIDA Board Member)
For more on theHelpmann Awards.
For more on the AACTA Awards.
