The 2026 Performing Arts WA Awards Ceremony, held on Monday 20 April in the Heath Ledger Theatre, celebrated achievement in Western Australian professional live performance in 2025, covering both mainstage and independent performances. Opera Dead Man Walking by Freeze Frame Opera was the biggest winner for the night, taking home five awards, including Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Lighting Design and Best Production.
Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA’s co-production with Belvoir St Theatre August: Osage County by Tracy Letts and independent theatre show Shadow of Doubt by The Blue Room Theatre & Fine Comb Theatre were also popular productions, picking up four awards each.
After Freeze Frame Opera, Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA was the next most awarded company, taking home a total of five awards. The Blue Room Theatre maintained their reputation as a hub for excellent theatre, with 10 awards for shows at the venue. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to veteran stage manager Jenny Poh, for her tireless work within the industry.
The inaugural Ripple Effect Award winner was James Berlyn. James’ tireless and quiet contribution has had a ripple effect to make change and to impact others. In his acceptance speech, James announced the prize money would fund a new artist residency opportunity at his West Berlyn Studios.
The Ripple Effect Award is a new award, to honour the legacy of the late Georgia Malone. A true champion of the arts, her incredible career has left a lasting legacy for the world. With continued funding and support from DCITS and Arts & Culture Trust, the awards continue to be held at Heath Ledger Theatre at State Theatre Centre. The awards themselves featured live performances from MATRIARX and Pam Boland, and were hosted with comedic wit by performers Luke Joseph Ryan & Wyatt Nixon-Lloyd. With a 20+ year history of recognising professional theatre, the Awards include dance, musicals, opera and cabaret across WA. The Awards celebrate the professional live performing arts in Western Australia. They are hosted each year by Artist Relief Fund WA, a charity which supports arts workers experiencing hardship.
Musical Urinetown by Western Sky Projects received the most nominations, up for fourteen separate awards. After Western Sky Projects, Freeze Frame Opera was the most nominated company with 9 nominations. Other big nominees include Co3 Contemporary Dance & The Australian Chamber Orchestra’s dance work IN THE SHADOW OF TIME with eight nominations; The Blue Room Theatre & Tone Lists’s O,D,E also snared eight nominations.
The event was supported by funders and sponsors: DCITS and Arts & Culture Trust WA, Steamworks Arts, CircuitWest, Architecture of Movement, George Kingsley, Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance, Moore Creative Artists, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, Pigface Books; plus hospitality partners Otherside Brewing and West Cape Howe Wines. More information: www.performingartswaawards.com
