# 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 (Laureate Award, Arts Foundation of New Zealand 2007), 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 (NZ Laureate Award, Arts Foundation of New Zealand 2008) 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.

## 1992 awards

| Award | Winner |
| Bats Production of the Year | A Dangerous Game |
| Circa Production of the Year | Joyful and Triumphant |
| Costume designer of the Year | Prunella Wilde in The Glass Menagerie |
| Director of the Year | Susan Wilson in Joyful and Triumphant |
| Downstage Production of the Year | Death and the Maiden |
| Female Actor of the Year | Jennifer Ludlam for Lysistrata and Daughters of Heaven, both at Downstage |
| Female Actor in a Supporting Role | Diedre O'Connor for a triple role in The Comedy of Errors at Circa |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Tony Rabbit in Death and the Maiden at Downstage |
| Male Actor of the Year | Brian Sergent for The Homecoming at Circa, and A Dangerous Game at Bats Theatre |
| Male Actor in a Supporting Role | Andrew Laing in The Glass Menagerie at Circa |
| Most Original Production | Hide 'n' Seek by Hori Ahipene and Hone Kouka at Taki Rua-Depot |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer | Nancy Brunning for Nga Wahine at Taki Rua-Depot |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer | Tim Spite for Backstage with the Quigleys at Bats, and Blue Remembered Hills at Circa |
| NZ Playwright of the Year | Robert Lord for Joyful and Triumphant |
| Production of the Year | Joyful and Triumphant at Circa Theatre |
| Set Designer of the Year | Prunella Wilde in The Glass Menagerie at Circa Theatre |
| Significant Contribution to Theatre | George Webby (Director of NZ Drama School for 14 years, chairman of the Downstage Theatre Trust) |
| Taki Rua-Depot Production of the Year | Hide 'n' Seek |

## 1993 awards

| Award | Winner |
| Bats Production of the Year | Verbatim |
| Circa Production of the Year | A Doll's House |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Kate Hawley |
| Downstage Production of the Year | Glengarry Glen Ross |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Paul O'Brien |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Ophelia Thinks Harder director Jean Betts |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Lara Matheson |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Andrew Scott |
| New New Zealand Play of the Year | Farewell Speech by Cathy Downes, adapted from Rachel McAlpine |
| Set Designer of the Year | Prunella Wilde |
| Taki Rua Production of the Year | Cracks |

## 1994 awards

| Award | Winner |
| Bats Production of the Year | City of Hands |
| Circa Production of the Year | Angels in America |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Dorita Hannah, for Nga Tangata Toa (Taki Rua) |
| Director of the Year | Susan Wilson, for Angels in America |
| Downstage Production of the Year | Lovelock's Dream Run |
| Female Actor of the Year | Denise O'Connell in The Sisters Rosensweig (Circa) |
| Female Actor in a Supporting Role | Adele Chapman in Nora |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Phil Blackburn, for Angels in America (Circa) |
| Male Actor of the Year | Grant Tilly, in Angels in America |
| Male Actor in a Supporting Role | Brian Sergent in I Hate Hamlet (Circa) |
| Most Original Production of the Year | City of Hands, director Stephen Bain (Bats) |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer | Hera Dunleavy in Beautiful Thing (Circa) |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer | Bradley Carroll, in Lovelock's Dream Run |
| New New Zealand Play of the Year | Nga Tangata Toa by Hone Kouka (Taki Rua) |
| Production of the Year | Angels in America (Circa) |
| Set Designer of the Year | Andrew Moyes for Angels in America (Circa) |
| Significant Contribution to Theatre | Circa Theatre Council |
| Taki Rua Production of the Year | Nga Tangata Toa |

## 1995 awards

| Award | Winner |
| Bats Production of the Year | The Iron Mistress |
| Best Short Play of the Year | Nga Pou Wahine by Briar Grace Smith |
| Circa Production of the Year | Arcadia |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Donna Jefferis |
| Director of the Year | Nathaniel Lees for Think of a Garden |
| Downstage Production of the Year | Takitoru |
| Female Actor of the Year | Katherine McRae |
| Female Actor in a Supporting Role | Sima Urale |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Phil Blackburn |
| Male Actor of the Year | Stephen Lovatt |
| Male Actor in a Supporting Role | Stephen Gledhill |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Takitoru, directed by Jan Bolwell, Keri Kaa, Sunny Amey |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Rachel House |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Simon Ferry |
| New New Zealand Play of the Year | Saving Grace by Duncan Sarkies |
| Production of the Year | Think of a Garden, directed by Nathaniel Lees |
| Set Designer of the Year | One of nominated designers John Parker, Amanda Yates, Justine Clark, Dorita Hannah |
| Significant Contribution to Theatre | Richard Campion |
| Taki Rua Production of the Year | Think of a Garden |

## 1996 awards

| Award | Winner |
| Bats Production of the Year | Black Monk |
| Circa Production of the Year | Three Tall Women |
| Costume Designer of the Year | John Verryt for King Lear |
| Director of the Year | Cathy Downes for Tzigane |
| Downstage Production of the Year | King Lear |
| Female Actor of the Year | Dorothy McKegg in Tzigane |
| Female Actor in a Supporting Role | Geraldine Brophy in Tzigane |
| Female Comedian or Group of the Year | Hen's Teeth Collective |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Martyn Roberts for Black Monk |
| Male Actor of the Year | Bruce Phillips in Broken Glass |
| Male Actor in a Supporting Role | Roy Ward in The Visit |
| Male Comedian or Group of the Year | Sugar & Spice |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Too High The Son by Stephen Bain with France Hervé & Tim Spite |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Nicola Kawana in Mo & Jess Kill Susie |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Jason Te Kare in Flat Out Brown |
| Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | Tzigane by John Vakidis |
| Outstanding Short Play of the Year | Mo & Jess Kill Susie by Gary Henderson |
| Production of the Year | Tzigane directed by Cathy Downes |
| Set Designer of the Year | Dorita Hannah for The Visit |
| Significant Contribution to Theatre | Rona Bailey |
| Taki Rua Production of the Year | Te Reo Māori season |

## 1997 awards

| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Michele Amas in The Herbal Bed |
| Actress in a Supporting Role | Perry Piercy in Taking Sides |
| Actor of the Year | Tim Balme in The Ballad of Jimmy Costello |
| Actor in a Supporting Role | Bruce Phillips in The Herbal Bed |
| BATS Production of the Year | Krishnan's Dairy |
| Circa Production of the Year | Taking Sides |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Debz Ruffell for Lady Windermere's Fan |
| Director of the Year | Roger Morton for Kvetch |
| Downstage Production of the Year | The Ballad of Jimmy Costello |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Martyn Roberts for Mouth |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Bent directed by Jacqueline Coats |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Jane Gratkowski in Agamemnon and Sally Stockwell in Taking Sides |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Scott Wills in Mojo |
| Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | Purapurawhetu by Briar Grace Smith |
| Outstanding Short Play of the Year | Small Man On a Blue Background by Sean Allan |
| Production of the Year | Krishnan's Dairy directed by Justin Lewis |
| Set Designer of the Year | Andrew Foster for The Lead Wait |
| Significant Contribution to the Theatre | Constance Kirkcaldie |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Chris Ward for The Lead Wait |
| Taki Rua Production of the Year | Purapurawhetu |

## 1998 awards

| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Alice Fraser in Amy's View |
| Actor of the Year | David Fane in Sons |
| Costume Designer | Paul Jenden for Dirty Weekends |
| Director of the Year | Cathy Downes for Closer |
| Lighting Designer | Lisa Maule for Home Fires |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Dirt - Bret McKenzie, Jeremy Randerson, Jackie van Beek, Gentiane Lupi, Jason Whyte |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer | Helen Jones in The Farm |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer | Robbie Magasiva in Sons |
| Outstanding New New Zealand Play | Sons by Victor Rodger |
| Outstanding New Writer | Victor Rodger, Sons |
| Outstanding Performance | Anna McPhail in Wolf Lullaby |
| Outstanding Performance | Helen Moulder in Vita and Virginia |
| Outstanding Performance | Jennifer Ludlam in Vita and Virginia |
| Production of the Year | Closer directed by Cathy Downes |
| Set Designer | Tony Rabbit for A Christmas Carol |
| Significant Contribution to Theatre | John McDavitt, former director of Playmarket |
| Sound Designer | Nigel Scott for An Unseasonable Fall of Snow |

## 1999 awards

| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Madeleine Sami in Bare |
| Actor of the Year | Ken Blackburn in Waiting for Godot |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Paul Jenden for A Dragon in a Wagon |
| Director of the Year | Ross Jolly for Waiting For Godot |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Jennifer Lal for Mapaki |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Flood directed by Tracey Monastra & Emma Willis |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Madeleine Sami in Bare |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Daniel Gillies in The God Boy |
| Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | Bare by Toa Fraser |
| Outstanding New Writer of the Year | Toa Fraser for Bare |
| Outstanding Performance | Jacque Drew in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea |
| Outstanding Performance | Tim Balme in Much Ado About Nothing |
| Outstanding Performance | Bruce Phillips Julius Caesar |
| Production of the Year | Much Ado About Nothing directed by Miranda Harcourt |
| Set Designer of the Year | Andrew Thomas for Much Ado About Nothing |
| Significant Contribution to the Theatre | Sheilah Wynn |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Gavin McLean for Automaton |

## 2000 awards

| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Helen Moulder in Wit |
| Actor of the Year | Tim Spite in Flipside |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Janet Dunn for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead |
| Director of the Year | Colin McColl for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Lisa Maule for Haruru Mai |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Seeyd |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Tandi Wright in A Midsummer Night's Dream |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | John Katipa in Haruru Mai |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | Gareth Farr for Wit |
| Outstanding Performance | Madeleine Sami in No 2 |
| Outstanding Performance | Rachel House in Woman Far Walking |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Writer of the Year | James Griffin for Serial Killers |
| Production of the Year | Flipside directed by Simon Bennett |
| Set Designer of the Year | Andrew Thomas for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Peter Edge for Flipside |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Tandi Wright for Rutherford |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | Peter Hambleton in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | No 2 by Toa Fraser |

## 2001 awards

| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Grace Hoet in Take Me Home Mr! |
| Actor of the Year | Ray Henwood in Playing Burton |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Allan Lees for The Jungle Book |
| Director of the Year | Rachel House for Have Car, Will Travel |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Jennifer Lal for Have Car, Will Travel |
| Most Original Production of the Year | inSalt |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Nikki MacDonnell in Waterloo Sunset |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Christopher Brougham in Vick's Boy and Robert Mokaraka in Have Car, Will Travel |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | Chris O'Connor for Irish Annals of Aotearoa |
| Outstanding Performance | Peter Daube in The Blue Room |
| Outstanding Performance | Rima Te Wiata in Madame Melville |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Writer of the Year | William Walker for Take Me Home Mr! |
| Production of the Year | On the Razzle directed by Elric Hooper |
| Set Designer of the Year | SEEyd Company for inSalt |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Craig Sengelow for Have Car, Will Travel |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | Jonathon Hendry in As You Like It |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Anna McPhail in On the Razzle |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | Have Car, Will Travel by Mitch Tawhi Thomas |

## 2002 awards

| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Jennifer Ludlam in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? |
| Actor of the Year | Peter Hambleton in Copenhagen |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Alice Tinning for Richard III |
| Director of the Year | Colin McColl for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Martyn Roberts in Copenhagen |
| Most Original Production of the Year | SAnD |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Erica Lowe in Hamlet |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Ben Barrington in East |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | Don McGlashan for The World's Wife |
| Outstanding Performance | Grant Tilly in The Daylight Atheist |
| Outstanding Performance | Jacob Rajan in The Pickle King |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year | Peter Cox for The Plum Tree |
| Production of the Year | The Pickle King |
| Set Designer of the Year | Ross Gibbs for Gravity |
| Significant Contribution to the Theatre | Red Mole |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Peter Edge for Gravity |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | Toby Leach in Trick of the Light |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Donna Akersten in The Birthday Party |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | Trick of the Light by Ken Duncum |

## 2003 awards

| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Helen Moulder in Meeting Karpovsky |
| Actor of the Year | Bruce Phillips in Cherish |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Ken Blackburn for The Wind in the Willows |
| Director of the Year | Katherine McRae for An Enemy of the People |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Stephen Blackburn for Vula |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Strata |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Rachel More in Humble Boy |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Simon Vincent in A Passionate Woman |
| Most Promising New Director | Tim Spite for Strata |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | Gareth Farr for Vula |
| Outstanding Performance | Tim Spite in The Wind in the Willows |
| Outstanding Performance | Peter Hambleton in An Enemy of the People |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year | Kirk Torrance for Strata |
| Production of the Year | An Enemy of the People |
| Set Designer of the Year | Nicole Cosgrove for An Enemy of the People |
| Significant Contribution to the Theatre | Ian Hull-Brown |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Sebastian Morgan-Lynch for In Flame |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Rachel House for An Enemy of the People |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | Wi Kuki Kaa for An Enemy of the People |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | Cherish by Ken Duncum |

## 2004 awards

| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Carmel McGlone in Macbeth |
| Actor of the Year | Paul McLaughlin in Albert Speer |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Gillie Coxill for Big River |
| Director of the Year | David O'Donnell for Albert Speer |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Jennifer Lal for Oho Ake |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Sniper by The 24/7 Project & BATS Theatre |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Danielle Mason in Collected Stories |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Kip Chapman in Big River |
| Most Promising New Director of the Year | Ryan Hartigan for After Kafka |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | Jane Pierard for Sniper |
| Outstanding Performance | Danielle Mason in The Shape of Things |
| Outstanding Performance | Matt Wilson in Vincent in Brixton |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year | Brian Sergent for The Love of Humankind |
| Production of the Year | Albert Speer by Albert Speer Collective |
| Set Designer of the Year | John Parker for Big River |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Steve Gallagher for Oho Ake |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Heather O'Carroll for The Shape of Things |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | KC Kelly in Macbeth |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | Niu Sila by Oscar Kightley and Dave Armstrong |

## 2005 awards

| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Mia Blake in Bash |
| Actor of the Year | Malcolm Murray in I.D. |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Donna Jefferis for The Cherry Orchard |
| Director of the Year | David Lawrence for I.D. |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Jennifer Lal for Hinepau |
| Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to Theatre | Dorothy McKegg |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Head by BATS Theatre, Nightsong Productions and Theatre Stampede |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Erin Banks in A Midsummer Night's Dream |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Nathan Meister in Kikia Te Po |
| Most Promising New Director of the Year | Katie Wolfe for The Women |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | Stephen Gallagher for Hinepau |
| Outstanding Performance | Jason Whyte in The Tutor |
| Outstanding Performance | Teodor Surcel in Gloomy Sunday |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year | Lauren Jackson for Exchange |
| Production of the Year | I.D. by The Bacchanals, directed by David Lawrence |
| Set Designer of the Year | John Hodgkins for Bright Star |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Paddy Bleakley and David Lawrence for Baghdad, Baby! |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | Alex Greig for I.D. |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Jane Waddell for Bright Star |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | The Tutor by Dave Armstrong |

## 2006 awards

The 2006 winners were announced at an award ceremony hosted by mayor Kerry Prendergast on the 7 December 2006.
| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Carol Smith in The Country |
| Actor of the Year | George Henare in Death of a Salesman |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Gillie Coxill for The Rivals |
| Director of the Year | Susan Wilson for Death of a Salesman |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Martyn Roberts for Yours Truly |
| Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the Theatre | Grant Tilly |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Yours Truly |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Rachel Forman in Fool For Love |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | James Ashcroft in The Brilliant Fassah |
| Most Promising New Director of the Year | Lyndee-Jane Rutherford for Lovepuke |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | Peter Daube for Stories Told To Me By Girls |
| Outstanding Performance | Jennifer Ludlam in Death of a Salesman |
| Outstanding Performance | Malcolm Murray in The Country |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year | Sonya Stewart for Wheel |
| Production of the Year | Yours Truly by Left of Centre Productions |
| Set Designer of the Year | John Hodgkins for Master Class |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Matthew Lambourn for Dr. Buller's Birds |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | Julian Wilson in The Underpants |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Heather O'Carroll in The Country |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | Yours Truly by Albert Belz |

## 2007 awards

The 2007 winners were announced on 3 December 2007.
| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Mel Dodge in Uncle Vanya |
| Actor of the Year | Grant Tilly in Home Land |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Gillie Coxill for Uncle Vanya |
| Director of the Year | Jane Waddell for Home Land |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Martyn Roberts for Maui - One Man Against the Gods |
| Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the Theatre | Bill Guest, Associate Director and Head of Entertainment Technology & Performing Arts Management, Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Hotel |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Jodie Hillock in Home Land |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Michael Whalley in The Cape |
| Most Promising New Director of the Year | Willem Wassenaar for Angels in America Part 1: Millennium Approaches |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | Gareth Farr for Maui - One Man Against the Gods |
| Outstanding Performance | Rachel Forman in Blackbird |
| Outstanding Performance | Emmet Michael Kennedy in Shining City |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year | Rob Mokaraka and Paolo Rotondo for Strange Resting Places |
| Production of the Year | Home Land |
| Set Designer of the Year | Brian King for The Hollow Men |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Stephen Gallagher for Shining City |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | Gavin Rutherford in Uncle Vanya |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Jennifer Ludlam in Othello |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | Home Land by Gary Henderson |

## 2008 awards

The 2008 awards were announced on 7 December 2008.
| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Ali Harpur in Bombshells |
| Actor of the Year | Brian Hotter in Heat |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Kathyrn Tyree for The Kreutzer |
| Director of the Year | Tim Spite for Paua |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Lisa Maule for The American Pilot |
| Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the Theatre | Sunny Amey |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Apollo 13: Mission Control, by HACKMAN and BATS Theatre |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Brooke Williams in Mr. Marmalade |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Arthur Meek in On the Conditions and Possibilities of Helen Clark Taking Me as Her Young Lover |
| Most Promising New Director of the Year | Sophie Roberts for Mr. Marmalade |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | Jonathan Crayford for Adagio |
| Outstanding Performance | Kip Chapman in The Little Dog Laughed |
| Outstanding Performance | Simon Vincent in Metamorphosis |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year | Eli Kent for Rubber Turkey |
| Production of the Year | Mr. Marmalade by The Moving Theatre Company |
| Set Designer of the Year | Daniel Williams for The Little Dog Laughed |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Gareth Ruck for Apollo 13: Mission Control |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Michele Amas/Jane Waddell in Mammals |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | Felix Preval in Sensible Susan and the Queen's Merkin; A Morality Play |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | Where We Once Belonged adapted by Dave Armstrong from the novel by Sia Figiel |

## 2009 awards

The 2009 awards were announced on 6 December 2009.
| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Erin Banks in A Brief History of Helen of Troy |
| Actor of the Year | Jed Brophy in The Blackening |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Dawa Devereux for A Most Outrageous Humbug |
| Director of the Year | Tim Spite for Biography of My Skin AND Leo Gene Peters for Death and the Dreamlife of Elephants [Joint winners] |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Adam Walker for Death and the Dreamlife of Elephants |
| Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the Theatre | Bill Sheat |
| Most Original Production of the Year | The Intricate Art of Actually Caring, by The Playground Collective |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Sophie Roberts in Wolf's Lair |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Jack Shadbolt in The Intricate Art of Actually Caring |
| Most Promising New Director of the Year | Eleanor Bishop for The Intricate Art of Actually Caring |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | Erika Grant, Isaac Smith & Amanda Mclean for Bedlam |
| Outstanding Performance | Geraldine Brophy in Blood Wedding |
| Outstanding Performance | Miranda Harcourt in Biography of My Skin |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year | Arthur Meek for Collapsing Creation |
| Production of the Year | Collapsing Creation by Downstage Theatre and Conditional Productions |
| Set Designer of the Year | Tracey Monastra for Death and the Dreamlife of Elephants |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Stephen Gallagher for The Blackening |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Michele Amas in Rock 'n' Roll |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | Christopher Brougham in Collapsing Creation |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | Collapsing 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".
| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Sophie Hambleton in Katydid |
| Actor of the Year | Jacob Rajan in The Guru of Chai |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Elizabeth Whiting for The Arrival |
| Director of the Year | Julie Nolan for The Arrival |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Jennifer Lal for The December Brother |
| Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the Theatre | Richard Cathie |
| Most Original Production of the Year | The Arrival by Red Leap Theatre Company |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Ella Becroft in The Arrival |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Paul Waggott in Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead |
| Most Promising New Director of the Year | Charlotte Bradley for Katydid |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | David Ward for The Guru of Chai |
| Outstanding Performance | Peter Hambleton in The Letter Writer |
| Outstanding Performance | Christopher Brougham in Me and Robert McKee |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year | Lucy O'Brien for Katydid |
| Production of the Year | The Arrival by Red Leap Theatre Company |
| Set Designer of the Year | John Verryt for The Arrival |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Gill Eva Craig for The December Brother |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Darlene Mohekey in Shipwrecked! An Entertainment |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | Christopher Brougham – Dead Man's Cell Phone |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | One 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 Award | Kenny 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 4th December, as follows:
| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Jennifer Ludlam in August: Osage County |
| Actor of the Year | Jarod Rawiri in I, George Nepia |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Gillie Coxill for The Spy Who Wouldn't Die Again |
| Director of the Year | Jason Te Kare for I, George Nepia |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Marcus McShane for When the Rain Stops Falling |
| Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the Theatre | Jim Moriarty |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Hear to See by Capital E National Theatre for Children |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Lauren Gibson in August: Osage County |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Simon K Leary in Mates & Lovers |
| Most Promising New Director of the Year | Jason Te Kare for I, George Nepia |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | Richard Nunns for Hear to See |
| Outstanding Performance | Michelle Amas in August: Osage County |
| Outstanding Performance | Phil Grieve in Slouching Toward Bethlehem |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year | Ralph McCubbin Howell for The Engine Room |
| Production of the Year | I, George Nepia by Tawata Productions |
| Set Designer of the Year | Andrew Foster for The Lead Wait |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Chris Ward for The Lead Wait |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Erin Banks for The Engine Room |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | Christopher Brougham for When the Rain Stops Falling |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | Slouching Toward Bethlehem by Dean Parker |
| Critics' Wild Card Award | Johann 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 9th December 2012 at the Paramount Theatre, Wellington, as follows:
| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Elena Stejko in A Shortcut to Happiness |
| Actor of the Year | Tom Monckton in Moving Stationery |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Shona Tawhiao for The Māori Troilus and Cressida – Toroihi Rāua Ko Kāhira |
| Director of the Year | Rachel House for The Māori Troilus and Cressida – Toroihi Rāua Ko Kāhira |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Jennifer Lal for Into the Uncanny Valley |
| Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the Theatre | Dawn Sanders, CEO of Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Paper Sky by Red Leap Theatre |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Victoria Abbott in West End Girls |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Tim Carlsen in One Day Moko |
| Most Promising New Director of the Year | Tammy Davis for The Prospect |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | Laughton Pattrick for Around the World and Buck Again |
| Outstanding Performance | Richard Dey in All My Sons |
| Outstanding Performance | Te Kohe Tuhaka in Michael James Manaia |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year | Maraea Rakuraku for The Prospect |
| Production of the Year | The Māori Troilus and Cressida – Toroihi Rāua Ko Kāhira by Ngākau Toa |
| Set Designer of the Year | John Verryt for Paper Sky |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Chris Ward for Peninsula |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Nancy Brunning in Clybourne Park |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | Rob Lloyd for The Prospect |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | Peninsula by Gary Henderson |
| Critics' Wild Card Award | Vance Fontaine and his Peculiar Sensations: Greg Ellis, Thom McGrath, Tane Upjohn-Beatson, Takumi Motokawa, Matiu Whiting |

## 2013 awards

The 2013 awards were presented on the 15 December 2013 at the Paramount Cinema in Wellington, as follows:
| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Erin Banks in Tribes |
| Actor of the Year | Byron Coll in Midsummer - A Play With Songs |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Kasia Pol for Sydney Bridge Upside Down |
| Director of the Year | Geoff Pinfield for The Magic Chicken |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Marcus McShane for Broken River |
| Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the Theatre | The Founders of Playmarket: Robert Lord, Nonnita Rees, Judy Russell, Ian Fraser |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Squidboy by Theatre Beating |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Hayley Sproull in Outsider’s Guide |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Joe Dekkers-Reihana in Coriolanus |
| Most Promising New Director of the Year | Hannah Smith for The Road That Wasn’t There |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | Gareth Farr for Duck, Death and the Tulip |
| Outstanding Performance | Renee Lyons in Nick: An Accidental Hero |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year | Sarita Keo Kossamak So for Neang Neak’s Legacy |
| Production of the Year | The Road That Wasn’t There by Trick of the Light Theatre |
| Set Designer of the Year | Andrew Foster for Red |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Tane Upjohn-Beatson for Broken River |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Nancy Brunning in Neang Neak’s Legacy |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | Aaron Cortesi in Sydney Bridge Upside Down |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | The Road That Wasn’t There by Ralph McCubbin Howell |
| Critics' Wild Card Award | The Bacchanals |

## 2014 awards

The 2014 awards were presented on Sunday 14 December 2014, at the Paramount Theatre in Wellington, as follows:
| Award | Winner |
| Actress of the Year | Erin Banks in Constellations |
| Actor of the Year | Gavin Rutherford in A View From the Bridge |
| Costume Designer of the Year | Donna Jefferis for Equivocation |
| Director of the Year | Peter Hambleton for Equivocation |
| Lighting Designer of the Year | Rowan McShane for A Play About Fear |
| Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the Theatre | Simon Bennett and Simon Elson "for their restructure of Bats Theatre in 1989" |
| Most Original Production of the Year | Dinner with Izzy and Simon by Isobel MacKinnon and Simon Haren |
| Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year | Neenah Dekkers-Reihana in 4 Billion Likes |
| Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year | Tom Eason in Equivocation |
| Most Promising New Director of the Year | Samuel Phillips for A Midsummer Night's Dream |
| Outstanding Composer of Original Music | David Ward for Kiss The Fish |
| Outstanding Performance | Hannah Banks in Watch |
| Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year | Chris Molloy for Putorino Hill |
| Production of the Year | Equivocation by Circa Theatre |
| Set Designer of the Year | Meg Rollandi for Watch |
| Sound Designer of the Year | Tane Upjohn-Beatson for Watch |
| Supporting Actress of the Year | Julia Croft in Kiss The Fish |
| Supporting Actor of the Year | Calum Gittins in Riding In Cars With Mostly Straight Boys |
| The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year | Kiss The Fish by Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis |
| Critics' Wild Card Award | Deb McGuire, "for technical operation and extraordinary support beyond the call of duty." |