Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards


The Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards were the main theatre awards in New Zealand's capital city, Wellington, from 1992–2014, and have been succeeded by the Wellington Theatre Awards.
Established in 1992 and sponsored by law firm Chapman Tripp, the prestigious awards were a highlight in Wellington's art and social calendar. The presentations also recognised important contributions to the arts and the community. The winners were selected by a panel of Wellington theatre critics. In 2014 Chapman Tripp ended their 22 year sponsorship due to a shift in their corporate social responsibility programme.
The main theatres in Wellington such as BATS Theatre, Circa Theatre, and Downstage Theatre each had an individual Production of the Year award for their best production during the year.

Notable winners

Winners at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards include the most acclaimed names in New Zealand theatre. Such names include directors such as multiple winner Colin McColl, Miranda Harcourt, Susan Wilson, Nathaniel Lees, Cathy Downes, Ross Jolly and Rachel Teaomarama House.
Best Actress winners include Jennifer Ludlam, Katherine McRae, Carmel McGlone, Grace Hoet and Madeleine Sami.
Best Actor winners include Ray Henwood, Tim Balme, Grant Tilly, Dave Fane and Peter Hambleton. In 2006, acclaimed Maori actor George Henare received a Chapman Tripp Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Willy Loman in Circa Theatre's Death of a Salesman.
Playwrights include David Geary, Briar Grace-Smith, Hone Kouka, Hori Ahipene and Kirk Torrance.

1995 awards

1999 awards

2003 awards

2006 awards

The 2006 winners were announced at an award ceremony hosted by mayor Kerry Prendergast on 7 December 2006.
AwardWinner
Actress of the YearCarol Smith in The Country
Actor of the YearGeorge Henare in Death of a Salesman
Costume Designer of the YearGillie Coxill for The Rivals
Director of the YearSusan Wilson for Death of a Salesman
Lighting Designer of the YearMartyn Roberts for Yours Truly
Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the TheatreGrant Tilly
Most Original Production of the YearYours Truly
Most Promising Female Newcomer of the YearRachel Forman in Fool For Love
Most Promising Male Newcomer of the YearJames Ashcroft in The Brilliant Fassah
Most Promising New Director of the YearLyndee-Jane Rutherford for Lovepuke
Outstanding Composer of Original MusicPeter Daube for Stories Told To Me By Girls
Outstanding PerformanceJennifer Ludlam in Death of a Salesman
Outstanding PerformanceMalcolm Murray in The Country
Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the YearSonya Stewart for Wheel
Production of the YearYours Truly by Left of Centre Productions
Set Designer of the YearJohn Hodgkins for Master Class
Sound Designer of the YearMatthew Lambourn for Dr. Buller's Birds
Supporting Actor of the YearJulian Wilson in The Underpants
Supporting Actress of the YearHeather O'Carroll in The Country
The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the YearYours Truly by Albert Belz

2007 awards

The 2007 winners were announced on 3 December 2007.
AwardWinner
Actress of the YearMel Dodge in Uncle Vanya
Actor of the YearGrant Tilly in Home Land
Costume Designer of the YearGillie Coxill for Uncle Vanya
Director of the YearJane Waddell for Home Land
Lighting Designer of the YearMartyn Roberts for Maui - One Man Against the Gods
Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the TheatreBill Guest, Associate Director and Head of Entertainment Technology & Performing Arts Management, Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School
Most Original Production of the YearHotel
Most Promising Female Newcomer of the YearJodie Hillock in Home Land
Most Promising Male Newcomer of the YearMichael Whalley in The Cape
Most Promising New Director of the YearWillem Wassenaar for Angels in America Part 1: Millennium Approaches
Outstanding Composer of Original MusicGareth Farr for Maui - One Man Against the Gods
Outstanding PerformanceRachel Forman in Blackbird
Outstanding PerformanceEmmet Michael Kennedy in Shining City
Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the YearRob Mokaraka and Paolo Rotondo for Strange Resting Places
Production of the YearHome Land
Set Designer of the YearBrian King for The Hollow Men
Sound Designer of the YearStephen Gallagher for Shining City
Supporting Actor of the YearGavin Rutherford in Uncle Vanya
Supporting Actress of the YearJennifer Ludlam in Othello
The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the YearHome Land by Gary Henderson

2008 awards

The 2008 awards were announced on 7 December 2008.
AwardWinner
Actress of the YearAli Harpur in Bombshells
Actor of the YearBrian Hotter in Heat
Costume Designer of the YearKathyrn Tyree for The Kreutzer
Director of the YearTim Spite for Paua
Lighting Designer of the YearLisa Maule for The American Pilot
Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the TheatreSunny Amey
Most Original Production of the YearApollo 13: Mission Control, by HACKMAN and BATS Theatre
Most Promising Female Newcomer of the YearBrooke Williams in Mr. Marmalade
Most Promising Male Newcomer of the YearArthur Meek in On the Conditions and Possibilities of Helen Clark Taking Me as Her Young Lover
Most Promising New Director of the YearSophie Roberts for Mr. Marmalade
Outstanding Composer of Original MusicJonathan Crayford for Adagio
Outstanding PerformanceKip Chapman in The Little Dog Laughed
Outstanding PerformanceSimon Vincent in Metamorphosis
Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the YearEli Kent for Rubber Turkey
Production of the YearMr. Marmalade by The Moving Theatre Company
Set Designer of the YearDaniel Williams for The Little Dog Laughed
Sound Designer of the YearGareth Ruck for Apollo 13: Mission Control
Supporting Actress of the YearMichele Amas/Jane Waddell in Mammals
Supporting Actor of the YearFelix Preval in Sensible Susan and the Queen's Merkin; A Morality Play
The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the YearWhere We Once Belonged adapted by Dave Armstrong from the novel by Sia Figiel

2009 awards

The 2009 awards were announced on 6 December 2009.
AwardWinner
Actress of the YearErin Banks in A Brief History of Helen of Troy
Actor of the YearJed Brophy in The Blackening
Costume Designer of the YearDawa Devereux for A Most Outrageous Humbug
Director of the YearTim Spite for Biography of My Skin AND
Leo Gene Peters for Death and the Dreamlife of Elephants
Lighting Designer of the YearAdam Walker for Death and the Dreamlife of Elephants
Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the TheatreBill Sheat
Most Original Production of the YearThe Intricate Art of Actually Caring, by The Playground Collective
Most Promising Female Newcomer of the YearSophie Roberts in Wolf's Lair
Most Promising Male Newcomer of the YearJack Shadbolt in The Intricate Art of Actually Caring
Most Promising New Director of the YearEleanor Bishop for The Intricate Art of Actually Caring
Outstanding Composer of Original MusicErika Grant, Isaac Smith & Amanda Mclean for Bedlam
Outstanding PerformanceGeraldine Brophy in Blood Wedding
Outstanding PerformanceMiranda Harcourt in Biography of My Skin
Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the YearArthur Meek for Collapsing Creation
Production of the YearCollapsing Creation by Downstage Theatre and Conditional Productions
Set Designer of the YearTracey Monastra for Death and the Dreamlife of Elephants
Sound Designer of the YearStephen Gallagher for The Blackening
Supporting Actress of the YearMichele Amas in Rock 'n' Roll
Supporting Actor of the YearChristopher Brougham in Collapsing Creation
The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the YearCollapsing Creation by Arthur Meek

2010 awards

The 2010 awards were announced on 5 December 2010 at Wellington Opera House. A Critics' Wildcard Award was introduced this year, for "outstanding work in an area not otherwise covered by the awards".
AwardWinner
Actress of the YearSophie Hambleton in Katydid
Actor of the YearJacob Rajan in The Guru of Chai
Costume Designer of the YearElizabeth Whiting for The Arrival
Director of the YearJulie Nolan for The Arrival 
Lighting Designer of the YearJennifer Lal for The December Brother
Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the TheatreRichard Cathie
Most Original Production of the YearThe Arrival by Red Leap Theatre Company
Most Promising Female Newcomer of the YearElla Becroft in The Arrival
Most Promising Male Newcomer of the YearPaul Waggott in Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead 
Most Promising New Director of the YearCharlotte Bradley for Katydid
Outstanding Composer of Original MusicDavid Ward for The Guru of Chai
Outstanding PerformancePeter Hambleton in The Letter Writer
Outstanding PerformanceChristopher Brougham in Me and Robert McKee
Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the YearLucy O'Brien for Katydid
Production of the YearThe Arrival by Red Leap Theatre Company
Set Designer of the YearJohn Verryt for The Arrival
Sound Designer of the YearGill Eva Craig for The December Brother
Supporting Actress of the YearDarlene Mohekey in Shipwrecked! An Entertainment
Supporting Actor of the YearChristopher Brougham – Dead Man's Cell Phone
The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the YearOne of The Second Test by Jonathan Brugh, Katydid by Lucy O'Brien and The Guru of Chai by Jacob Rajan, Justin Lewis
Critics' Wild Card AwardKenny King and Rebekah Sherratt, "for ‘animating the set’ in Capital E National Theatre for Children’s End Game."

2011 awards

The 2011 awards were presented at the Wellington Opera House on 4 December, as follows:
AwardWinner
Actress of the YearJennifer Ludlam in August: Osage County
Actor of the YearJarod Rawiri in I, George Nepia
Costume Designer of the YearGillie Coxill for The Spy Who Wouldn't Die Again
Director of the YearJason Te Kare for I, George Nepia
Lighting Designer of the YearMarcus McShane for When the Rain Stops Falling
Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the TheatreJim Moriarty
Most Original Production of the YearHear to See by Capital E National Theatre for Children
Most Promising Female Newcomer of the YearLauren Gibson in August: Osage County 
Most Promising Male Newcomer of the YearSimon K Leary in Mates & Lovers 
Most Promising New Director of the YearJason Te Kare for I, George Nepia
Outstanding Composer of Original MusicRichard Nunns for Hear to See
Outstanding PerformanceMichelle Amas in August: Osage County
Outstanding PerformancePhil Grieve in Slouching Toward Bethlehem
Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the YearRalph McCubbin Howell for The Engine Room
Production of the YearI, George Nepia by Tawata Productions
Set Designer of the YearAndrew Foster for The Lead Wait
Sound Designer of the YearChris Ward for The Lead Wait
Supporting Actress of the YearErin Banks for The Engine Room
Supporting Actor of the YearChristopher Brougham for When the Rain Stops Falling
The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the YearSlouching Toward Bethlehem by Dean Parker
Critics' Wild Card AwardJohann Nortje "for his body of work as an AV Designer on Hear to See, When the Rain Stops Falling, Wake Less"

2012 awards

The 2012 awards were presented on 9 December 2012 at the Paramount Theatre, Wellington, as follows:
AwardWinner
Actress of the YearElena Stejko in A Shortcut to Happiness
Actor of the YearTom Monckton in Moving Stationery
Costume Designer of the YearShona Tawhiao for The Māori Troilus and Cressida – Toroihi Rāua Ko Kāhira
Director of the YearRachel House for The Māori Troilus and Cressida – Toroihi Rāua Ko Kāhira
Lighting Designer of the YearJennifer Lal for Into the Uncanny Valley
Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the TheatreDawn Sanders, CEO of Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand 
Most Original Production of the YearPaper Sky by Red Leap Theatre
Most Promising Female Newcomer of the YearVictoria Abbott in West End Girls
Most Promising Male Newcomer of the YearTim Carlsen in One Day Moko
Most Promising New Director of the YearTammy Davis for The Prospect
Outstanding Composer of Original MusicLaughton Pattrick for Around the World and Buck Again 
Outstanding PerformanceRichard Dey in All My Sons
Outstanding PerformanceTe Kohe Tuhaka in Michael James Manaia
Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the YearMaraea Rakuraku for The Prospect
Production of the YearThe Māori Troilus and Cressida – Toroihi Rāua Ko Kāhira by Ngākau Toa
Set Designer of the YearJohn Verryt for Paper Sky
Sound Designer of the YearChris Ward for Peninsula
Supporting Actress of the YearNancy Brunning in Clybourne Park
Supporting Actor of the YearRob Lloyd for The Prospect
The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the YearPeninsula by Gary Henderson
Critics' Wild Card AwardVance Fontaine and his Peculiar Sensations: Greg Ellis, Thom McGrath, Tane Upjohn-Beatson, Takumi Motokawa, Matiu Whiting

2013 awards

The 2013 awards were presented on 15 December 2013 at the Paramount Cinema in Wellington, as follows:
AwardWinner
Actress of the YearErin Banks in Tribes
Actor of the YearByron Coll in Midsummer - A Play With Songs
Costume Designer of the YearKasia Pol for Sydney Bridge Upside Down
Director of the YearGeoff Pinfield for The Magic Chicken
Lighting Designer of the YearMarcus McShane for Broken River
Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the TheatreThe Founders of Playmarket: Robert Lord, Nonnita Rees, Judy Russell, Ian Fraser
Most Original Production of the YearSquidboy by Theatre Beating
Most Promising Female Newcomer of the YearHayley Sproull in Outsider’s Guide
Most Promising Male Newcomer of the YearJoe Dekkers-Reihana in Coriolanus
Most Promising New Director of the YearHannah Smith for The Road That Wasn’t There
Outstanding Composer of Original MusicGareth Farr for Duck, Death and the Tulip
Outstanding PerformanceRenee Lyons in Nick: An Accidental Hero
Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the YearSarita Keo Kossamak So for Neang Neak’s Legacy
Production of the YearThe Road That Wasn’t There by Trick of the Light Theatre
Set Designer of the YearAndrew Foster for Red
Sound Designer of the YearTane Upjohn-Beatson for Broken River
Supporting Actress of the YearNancy Brunning in Neang Neak’s Legacy
Supporting Actor of the YearAaron Cortesi in Sydney Bridge Upside Down
The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the YearThe Road That Wasn’t There by Ralph McCubbin Howell
Critics' Wild Card AwardThe Bacchanals

2014 awards

The 2014 awards were presented on Sunday 14 December 2014, at the Paramount Theatre in Wellington, as follows:
AwardWinner
Actress of the YearErin Banks in Constellations
Actor of the YearGavin Rutherford in A View From the Bridge
Costume Designer of the YearDonna Jefferis for Equivocation
Director of the YearPeter Hambleton for Equivocation
Lighting Designer of the YearRowan McShane for A Play About Fear
Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the TheatreSimon Bennett and Simon Elson "for their restructure of Bats Theatre in 1989"
Most Original Production of the YearDinner with Izzy and Simon by Isobel MacKinnon and Simon Haren
Most Promising Female Newcomer of the YearNeenah Dekkers-Reihana in 4 Billion Likes
Most Promising Male Newcomer of the YearTom Eason in Equivocation
Most Promising New Director of the YearSamuel Phillips for A Midsummer Night's Dream
Outstanding Composer of Original MusicDavid Ward for Kiss The Fish
Outstanding PerformanceHannah Banks in Watch
Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the YearChris Molloy for Putorino Hill
Production of the YearEquivocation by Circa Theatre
Set Designer of the YearMeg Rollandi for Watch
Sound Designer of the YearTane Upjohn-Beatson for Watch 
Supporting Actress of the YearJulia Croft in Kiss The Fish
Supporting Actor of the YearCalum Gittins in Riding In Cars With Mostly Straight Boys
The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the YearKiss The Fish by Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis
Critics' Wild Card AwardDeb McGuire, "for technical operation and extraordinary support beyond the call of duty."