Save The Date – 2012 Helpmann Awards edge closer

As we edge toward the winter months, the 12th Annual Helpmann Awards ceremony creeps ever closer, with entries opening for all categories earlier this week.

The ceremony itself will be held on Monday 24 September, at the Sydney Opera House and nominating panels will begin meeting in just over 6 weeks to finalise nominations from the many entries received this month.

This year’s Helpmann Award season spans from 1 March 2011 – 31 May 2012 and nomination entries close on Monday 28 May.With baited breath we await the announcement of all nominations on Monday 6 August. There will most likely be two announcement launches running concurrently in Melbourne and Sydney as usual, although venues are yet to be decided.The nine nomination panels (dubbed: Comedy, Contemporary Music, Dance & Physical Theatre, Musicals, Cabaret, Opera and Classical Music, Theatre, Regional Touring and Industry) will meet between June 18 and June 25 to decide nominees in the Helpmann Categories.

It was announced this week that the late Jimmy Little AO will be honoured at the Helpmanns this year as a recipients of the prestigious JC Williamson Award for his extraordinary contribution to the Australian Arts industry. 27 members of the Australian arts community have received this award since its inception in 1998 including Nancye Hayes, Toni Lamond, Jill Perryman, Dame Joan Sutherland and Graeme Murphy.

The second winner for 2012 will be announced closer to the date of the ceremony.

The winner of the Brian Stacey Award for Emerging Australian conductors will be announced at the Nomination launch on August 6 (entries for this award close 13 June).