The Northern Territory’s Creative Performers Celebrated at the 2023 NT Performing Arts Awards

Image: 2023 NT Performing Arts Awards Judges and Award Winners. Photo Lisa Pelligrino.

Geoffrey Williams reports.

The 2023 NT Performing Arts Awards were presented in an entertaining and passion-fuelled, candle-lit ceremony at Darwin’s DoubleTree Hilton Ballroom on Monday 20 November. The excitement and anticipation that filled the Ballroom’s foyer was beautifully matched by the exceptional musical skills of The Arafura Collective, and the physical theatre inventiveness of the Corrugated Iron Youth Arts physical theatre collective, who set the tone perfectly for all that was to follow. The Corrugated Iron Youth Arts physical theatre collective would return later in the evening to dazzle the audience with yet another audacious performance of daring acrobatic adventurousness.

As the ballroom descended into darkness, the first haunting strains of the Yidaki (Didgeridoo) filled the room, courtesy of artist and internationally renowned Yidaki player Uncle Les Huddleston Lipwurrunga. Comedian and Community Legal Educator, Larrakia man James Parfitt, delivered a moving and yet supremely entertaining Welcome to Larrakia Country, before the MC for the evening, the effervescent Lisa Pellegrino (sporting a killer pair of hot pink platform shoes!), took to the stage to guide us through the evening with panache, great humour, and timing.

Image: Richard Watts, NTPAA Judge, and Tomm Lydiard. Photo by Paz Tassone.

Melanie Munungurr reciting her evocative poem Chocolate Girl about being “… a little chocolate girl wrapped in her father’s midnight arms …” was performed to a completely hushed ballroom, who received Melanie’s utterly mesmerising performance with sustained thunderous applause. The fact that Melanie’s father was in the room to hear the poem about their great love and respect for each other made the performance even more soul-warming. Melanie is a Djapu mother, poet, storyteller, and performer. Her writing is all-encompassing of her identity as Yolngu, the triumphs and struggles of motherhood, neurodiversity, being queer and connections to land and culture. Melanie uses her connection to her land, culture, and language to decolonise the literary and performance space using Dhuwal language woven throughout her poems.

The recipients of the 2023 NT Performing Arts Awards were:

Image: Tara Murphy. Photo Lisa Pelligrino

Outstanding Performer Award and People’s Choice Award Tara Murphy

Tara received these awards for performing Samuel Barber’s brilliant and virtuosic Violin Concerto with Darwin Symphony Orchestra in the performance Dances of Fire at the Darwin Entertainment Centre.

Young Achiever Award Spillett

Spillett received the award for their charisma and boundless energy. With a beaming smile, they’ve become a mesmerising presence on stage, crafting hypnotic performances. Spillett would later turn the ballroom upside down with a virtuoso dance performance demonstrating, in no uncertain terms, why he won this award.

Pictured left: Spillett. Photo Lisa Pelligrino.

Outstanding Creative Award James Mangohig (Kuya James)

‘Kuya’ James received the award for his work on Hymns for the Witching Hour, following on from his two-decade career as artist and music producer.

Behind the Scenes Award Tomm Lydiard

Tomm was recognised as an innovative young Lighting Designer and Programmer at the Darwin Entertainment Centre, who collaboratively crafts inventive lighting for leading Australian entertainers like Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy, and many homegrown plays and performances in Darwin.
 

The Legend Award was shared by Dr Shellie Morris AO and Sean Pardy

Dr Shellie Morris AO is a proud Yanyuwa and Wardaman woman and received the award as a celebrated Australian vocalist who has harnessed music’s healing power for 25 years. Sean received the award for his work in the NT’s theatre realm and as a transformative force for artists, new works, and creative evolution.

Pictured right, Dr Shellie Morris AO and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, the Hon. Chansey Paech. Photo James Emery.

Inspiration Award Nikki Jeffries

Nikki received the award for her inspiration by kindling passion for circus in countless youths, educators, and communities.

Impact Award Zoe Scrogings

Zoe received the award for her impact on the Corrugated Iron Youth Arts team.

Best Performance Award: Hymns for the Witching Hour by Kuya James

Hymns for the Witching Hour was “a dynamic and engaging collaborative dance theatre work” co-directed by Kuya James and Kino McHugh, presented by Brown’s Mart.


Pictured left: James Mangohig (Kuya James). Photo Lisa Pelligrino.

“The Northern Territory Performing Arts Awards recognises the creativity and talent of the Territory’s arts sector which does amazing work to create a vibrant Northern Territory,” said Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, The Hon. Chansey Paech. “Congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists who have elevated the Territory’s arts and built strong foundations for our artists. It was a wonderful night of performance, and recognition of the people who help support and grow our unique Territory arts scene.”

You can read Geoffrey Williams' reviews of the work of two of award-winners here:

Tomm Lydiard and James Mangohig (Kuya James): https://www.stagewhispers.com.au/reviews/hypotheticals

James Mangohig (Kuya James): https://www.stagewhispers.com.au/reviews/seasons-skin-and-bark and https://www.stagewhispers.com.au/reviews/your-blood