Kit Brookman wins Philip Parsons Young Playwright’s Award

Playwright, director and actor Kit Brookman has won the 2012 Philip Parsons Young Playwright’s Award for his play Heaven.

Brookman trained as an actor at NIDA, graduating in 2008. He has performed for Sydney Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, Sydney Opera House and in numerous independent productions. He is a founding member of the playwrights’ collective ISM.

Brookman’s credits includes: writer/director Heaven (ISM/Old 505 Theatre), assistant director Babyteeth and Private Lives (Belvoir), Playwriting Australia Associate Playwright (Belvoir). Brookman was shortlisted for the 2011 Inscription/Albee Foundation Award, and his play Close was shortlisted for the Patrick White Playwright’s Award and the Griffin Award. His new play Small and Tired was also shortlisted for the Griffin Award and is part of Belvoir’s 2013 season. Next year Night Maybe will be produced by Stuck Pig Squealing at Theatreworks in Melbourne.

‘Kit is an extraordinary talent,’ said award judge and Belvoir’s Literary Manager Anthea Williams. ‘All the judges were deeply moved by Heaven. It's a beautiful and profound story about youth, belonging and friendship. We were equally taken with his pitch for a new play which will be commissioned by Belvoir as part of the award.’

The Young Playwright’s Award is given annually to an outstanding writer under 35 years of age who will receive a writer’s commission supported by Belvoir. Past winners of the Philip Parsons Young Playwright’s Award include Matthew Whittet, whose play Old Man was part of Belvoir’s 2012 Season, Brendan Cowell, whose play Ruben Guthrie was part of Belvoir’s 2009 Season, and Kate Mulvany, whose play The Seed was part of Belvoir’s 2008 season and toured nationally.

The announcement of the Philip Parsons Young Playwright’s Award on Sunday 2 December was preceded by the Philip Parsons Memorial Lecture, delivered by Andrew Upton, Co-Artistic Director of the Sydney Theatre Company. In his lecture entitled The Resonating Space, he discussed how theatre must evolve with our culture and live in a contemporary context.

The Philip Parsons Young Playwright’s Award is supported by Arts NSW and Currency House.

Photo of Kit Brookman by Brett Boardman