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 Chapman Tripp is New Zealand's largest commercial law firm. It is considered one of the "big three" law firms along with Russell McVeagh and Bell Gully. Established in New Zealand in 1875, it now has around 60 partners and roughly 200 legal staff ...

, 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 Circa Theatre is a professional theatre company in Wellington, New Zealand, that was established in 1976. They present a number of plays each year in their two auditoriums, and have a unique partnership and funding model with incoming shows unde ...

, and Downstage Theatre each had an individual ''Production of the Year'' award for their best production during the year. Rachel House by Gage Skidmore

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 Susan Wilson is a New York Times best selling American author. Her first novel, ''Beauty'', was adapted into a television movie. A later book, ''One Good Dog'', was a ''New York Times'' bestseller. Personal life Susan lives on Martha's Vineyard ...

, Nathaniel Lees,

Cathy Downes Catherine Patricia Downes (born 1951) is a New Zealand theatre director, actor, dramaturg and playwright. Of Māori descent, she affiliates to Ngāi Tahu. Downes wrote a one-woman play ''The Case of Katherine Mansfield'', which she has perf ...

, 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 Grant Leonard Ridgway Tilly (12 December 1937 – 10 April 2012) was a New Zealand stage, movie and television actor, set designer, teacher and artist. Life and career Grant Tilly was educated in Wellington, taking art at Wellington Tech ...

Dave Fane David Rodney Fane (born 28 December 1966) is a New Zealand actor of Samoan descent. Early life and education Fane was educated at St. Pauls College in Grey Lynn. Career Fane got into acting quite late and trained at the New Zealand Drama ...

and

Peter Hambleton Peter Hambleton (born 1960) is a New Zealand stage, film and television actor, and stage director. Hambleton graduated from Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School in 1982 with a Diploma in Acting. In 2002 Hambleton was a New Zealand Shakespeare ...

. 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 David Geary (born 1963) is a Māori writer from New Zealand who is known for his plays ''The Learners Stand, Lovelocks Dream Run'' and ''Pack of Girls.'' For television he has written for New Zealand series Shortland Street and Jackson's Wharf. ...

, Briar Grace-Smith, Hone Kouka, Hori Ahipene and Kirk Torrance.

1992 awards

1993 awards

1994 awards

1995 awards

1996 awards

1997 awards

1998 awards

1999 awards

2000 awards

2001 awards

2002 awards

2003 awards

2004 awards

2005 awards

2006 awards

The 2006 winners were announced at an award ceremony hosted by mayor Kerry Prendergast on the 7 December 2006.

2007 awards

The 2007 winners were announced on 3 December 2007.

2008 awards

The 2008 awards were announced on 7 December 2008.

2009 awards

The 2009 awards were announced on 6 December 2009.

2010 awards

The 2010 awards were announced on 5 December 2010 at

Wellington Opera House The Opera House is a proscenium theatre in Wellington, New Zealand, located on Manners Street opposite Te Aro Park. History The present Opera House replaced earlier buildings on Manners Street. The Imperial Opera House opened in 1878, but bur ...

. A Critics' Wildcard Award was introduced this year, for "outstanding work in an area not otherwise covered by the awards".

2011 awards

The 2011 awards were presented at the Wellington Opera House on 4th December, as follows:

2012 awards

The 2012 awards were presented on 9th December 2012 at the Paramount Theatre, Wellington, as follows:

2013 awards

The 2013 awards were presented on the 15 December 2013 at the Paramount Cinema in Wellington, as follows:

2014 awards

The 2014 awards were presented on Sunday 14 December 2014, at the Paramount Theatre in Wellington, as follows: {, class="wikitable sortable" ! 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 , ,

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

, - , 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 Julia Croft is a New Zealand performance artist. Biography Croft grew up in Auckland, New Zealand and graduated from Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School in 2008 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting). She also completed a bachelor's deg ...

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 Jacob Rajan is a Malaysian-born-New Zealand playwright and actor. His highly successful plays include the trilogy ''Krishnan's Dairy'', ''The Candlestick Maker'' and ''The Pickle King''. Another work was ''The Dentist's Chair''. In 2002, he r ...

and Justin Lewis , - , Critics' Wild Card Award , Deb McGuire, "for technical operation and extraordinary support beyond the call of duty."

References

New Zealand awards Theatre in New Zealand New Zealand theatre awards