The 2020 Wellington Theatre Awards occurred during an unprecedented time in New Zealand History. The COVID-19 Global pandemic brought much of the world to a standstill including the arts. On the 25th March New Zealand entered a 4 week lock down preventing all but essential work and travel from occurring. This lockdown resulted in the cancellation and postponement of many show across Wellington and New Zealand. As the country settled into the lockdown many creative across the country came up with new ways of presenting work, livestream through Facebook, YouTube and Zoom began to be produced. Some show that had been planned live transitioned to digital, many new shows were created with the digital medium specifically in mind.

​

On the 13th of May after 4 weeks in level 4 lockdown and 2 weeks in level 3, the country moved to level 2, this move reopened the opportunities to create live work with audiences again, however it took on more stringent protocols, audiences were limited, social distancing was required, nd a readiness to again return to a state of lockdown were now present in all aspects of planning and preparation.

​

The remainder of the year saw national a regional shifts between Level 1,2, & 3 causing theatre across the country to stop and start, postpone and cancel. Audiences were more cautious of coming out to group events and funding had dwindled from many aspect.

​

The industry pushed through and by the hard work of many has been able to bounce back and now (in 2021) work is active again with new protocols and readiness to shift should the need arise.

​

In response to the uncertain season the Wellington Theatre Awards chose to forgo its traditional awards and focus on recognising the community that came together in a time of trouble and difficulty.

​

The below awards represent the resilience, strength, and supportiveness of the Wellington Theatre Community.

 

​

Mayoral Significant Contribution to Theatre: Carolyn Henwood

 

Theatre Angels

People who've really helped out individuals and collectives, especially over lockdown and have been the spirit of the industry.

• Carrie Green

• Eleanor Strathern  

• George Fowler

• Jake Brown 

• Jean Sergent 

• Vanessa Imminik

 

Community Award Winners

Twenty Twenty Best Entrance:     Jennifer O'Sullivan

The Genuine Good Guy Award:  William (Bill) Paankink - Te Auaha

Best Lockdown Mentor Award:   Sasha Gibb

The # Pivot to Digital Award:      Tane Hipango, Brynne Tasker-Poland and Benny Jennings

 

Ghost Light Award Winners

This year's judging panel would like to use the platform of Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai to acknowledge those who used their skills to not just tend to our garden, but grow it, weed it, help us not just get through a difficult time, but used their skills and platform, as an opportunity to shed light on practices and customs no longer working for us, as practitioners, and as people.

• BATS Theatre

• Circa Theatre

• Claire Mabey

• PANNZ - Auckland Live

• Tahi Festival

• Tanemahuta Gray & Meg Williams

 

 

Wellington Theatre Awards is generously supported by: Wellington City Council. Jack Jeff's Charitable Trust and Lion Foundation

​