Melbourne Fringe Awards Announced

 The 2011 Melbourne Fringe Festival has now come to a close, and to celebrate and acknowledge the diversity, professionalism and exceptional quality of work in this year’s festival, an awards night was held at the closing night party. 

 The 2011 Melbourne Fringe Festival has now come to a close, and to celebrate and acknowledge the diversity, professionalism and exceptional quality of work in this year’s festival, an awards night was held at the closing night party.   Announced to a capacity crowd at the Fringe Club on Saturday 8 October, the Melbourne Fringe Festival Awards are grouped into 2 sections: Professional Development Awards and Category Awards.  

The winners of this year’s Professional Development Awards are:

 Best Emerging Circus Performer, Supported by ACAPTAWINNER:  Tilly Cobham-Hervey, FreefallAWARD: ACAPTA membership for 1 year and participation in an ACAPTA presented master class. Tour Ready Award, supported by Adelaide FringeWINNER: Uta Uber Kool YaAWARD:  The winner of the Adelaide Fringe Award will receive free registration and $2000 support for Adelaide Fringe 2012. Best Emerging Producer, supported by Auspicious Arts AwardWINNER:  Erin Voth from The American AstronautAWARD:  One term in the Auspicious Arts Incubator, worth $1200 Outstanding Comedy Show Award, supported by Brisbane PowerhouseWINNER:  Me Pregnant! AWARD:  Entry into the Brisbane Comedy Festival 2012 and presentation support including $2000 towards flights, accommodation and remounting costs. Innovation in Theatre Award, supported by Brisbane Powerhouse.WINNER:  BunnyAWARD:  Entry into the World Theatre Festival 2012 (Brisbane) and presentation support incuding $2000 toward flights, accommodation and remounting costs. Original New Circus, supported by Circux Oz AwardWINNER:  No Such Thing as NormalAWARD:  Two weeks training/mentorship at Circuz Oz with Artistic Director Mike Finch. Outstanding Indigenous Artist Award, supported by the Wilin Centre for Indigenous ArtsWINNER:  Vicki Kousins from Re: appropriateAWARD:  Participation in a short course at VCA Melbourne cabaret Festival Award for Excellence in CabaretWINNER:  The Unexpected Variety ShowAWARD:  Double gold pass to all shows in the Melbourne Cabaret Festival 2012 and an invitation to perform in the Melbourne Cabaret Festival Best Experimental Performance Award, supported by PACT Centre for Emerging ArtistsWINNER: Sweet Child of MineAWARD:  Presentation as part of PACT’S Presents….series in Sydney in 2012. Best Original Australian Work, in Memoriam of Caz Howard, supported by TheatreworksWINNER:  The Waiting PlaceAWARD:  Presentation at Theatreworks in 2012 Best Emerging writer, supported by Victorian Writers Centre Award, in association with the Melbourne Theatre CompanyWINNER:  Dan Giovannoni, Amelia Evans and Paige Rattray for Cut SnakeAWARD:  $250 worth of professional development with the Victorian Writer’s Centre and tickets to Opening Night performances at MTC for 2012. Innovation in Culturally Diverse Practice, supported by KultourWINNER:  In Fact, This Crease in Your Trouser is Good My FriendAWARD:  Development time with Kultour 

The winners of the 2011 Melbourne Fringe Festival Category Awards are:

 Best CircusWINNER:  Freefall Best Cabaret:WINNER: Pirate Rhapsody, Mermaid Requiem Best ComedyWINNER:  Lawrence Mooney in An Indecisive Bag of Donuts Best DanceWINNER:  Proximate Edifice Best Live ArtWINNER:  A Window in Mime Best MusicWINNER:  Musical Thoughts for a Darkened RoomHIGHLY COMMENDED:  No Place Like Home Best PerformanceWINNER:  After All This Best VenueWINNER:  Revolt Best Visual ArtsWINNER: Rendered Bones People’s Choice AwardWINNER:  Mercedes Benz….Awkwardly