Helpmann Awards

Background

The Helpmann Awards were established in 2001 by the Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA) (currently known by its trade name Live Performance Australia (LPA)). They are named in honour of Australian actor, choreographer, dancer and theatre director, Sir Robert Helpmann (9 April 1909 – 28 September 1986). They are given to productions regardless of the Australian state they were originally staged in. The accolade was created to be the Australian equivalent of the Tony Awards for Broadway theatre in the United States, and the Laurence Olivier Awards for West End theatre in the United Kingdom. The aim of the awards is to promote Australia's live entertainment industry, both locally and internationally, by: recognising artistic achievements; administering the awards with integrity; ensuring the awards are celebrated by the industry and Australian community; and ensuring the ceremony is the most prestigious awards in the local industry and the highlight of each season.

At the inaugural Helpmann Awards, twenty six accolades were handed out for achievements in performance, direction, choreography, lighting, sound, music, costume and scenic design and production, in the disciplines of musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, opera, classical music, theatre, dance and physical theatre. Over the years the categories have expanded and currently include forty-one honours. Special non-competitive prizes are also bestowed upon individuals: the JC Williamson Award (named after theatre manager James Cassius Williamson), for one's life's work in Australia's live entertainment industry and the highest honour presented by Live Performance Australia; and the Brian Stacey Memorial Award (presented by the Brian Stacey Memorial Trust), for emerging Australian conductors, which also includes an $8000 reward.

Eligibility and voting

Live Performance Australia (LPA) appoints members for the Helpmann Awards Administration Committee (HAAC). As well as administering the awards, the committee also has the responsibility of: ensuring the awards are run in accordance with the rules, determining entry eligibility, sponsorship, marketing and appointing the executive producer.

To be eligible for a Helpmann Award nomination, the production must: have its first performance in Australia during the eligibility period; be produced by a Live Performance Australia (LPA) member; or if professionally produced by a non-member, have had the industry service fee transferred directly to an LPA member or LPA member venue; fall within the artistic or industry award categories; in the case of the Best Regional Touring Production Award, must have its first Australian tour during the eligibility period. If, however, the LPA member or non-member cannot meet this criteria, a committee consisting of the LPA president, chief executive and chair of the Helpmann Awards Association Committee have the authority to grant an exemption from the aforementioned rules.

Ten nominating panels determine the nominees for their respective fields. These are: cabaret, children's presentation, comedy, contemporary music, dance and physical theatre, industry awards, musicals, opera and classical music and theatre. The nominating panels comprises artists, creatives, arts administrators, writers, journalists, producers, promoters, venue managers and educators. The HAAC selects the chair of each panel, who in turn chooses the members of their respective fields. The nominations are then determined by each of them, who choose four per category. The winners are determined by the voters who are: employees of LPA members, panelists and previous winners and nominees of the Helpmann Awards. The votes are audited by accounting firm BDO.

Award categories

The award categories are currently:

Ceremony

The Helpmann Awards ceremony is usually held between May and September, to celebrate productions staged in Australia during the eligibility period. They are always presented in Sydney, New South Wales, though in 2002 an attempt was made to host it in Melbourne, Victoria, but due to a lack of sponsorship this plan was abandoned. Australian actor Simon Burke has presided over the event seven times, the most of any other person from 2001-2006, and again in 2012. Star City has provided venues for seven ceremonies, at the Lyric Theatre and Star City Show Room, but the awards have also been held at the Sydney Opera House and the Capitol Theatre. Through its association with cable television provider Foxtel, the awards have been broadcast on various networks, the current one being Foxtel Arts.

^{^[A]} Each year is linked to the full list of winners and nominees from that year.