Shining Territory

The NT Performing Arts Awards celebrates and acknowledges those from our local performing arts sector, from performers and musicians to technical crew and arts managers. Back for a fourth year, the 2023 awards received more than 70 nominations with 25 shortlisted as finalists.

This year’s creative cohort was recently unveiled at a special awards soirée in Darwin. Judges included Darwin Festival Artistic Director Kate Fell and Arts Hub National Performing Arts Editor Richard Watts, who says he is blown away by the talent the Territory produces.

“Several visits to Darwin ... in no way prepared me for the richness, rigour and passion of the works I was exposed to as a judge in this year’s Northern Territory Performing Arts Awards,” he says.

“Being a judge has been educational, illuminating, and honestly, slightly frustrating because I simply can’t get up to the Northern Territory as often as I’d like to experience more such work firsthand.”

Congratulations to all winners, finalists and creative Territorians. Keep telling your stories!

2023 NT Performing Arts Awards Winners

Outstanding Performer Award Tara Murphy

Young Achiever Award Spillett

Outstanding Creative Award James Mangohig (Kuya James)

Behind the Scenes Award Tomm Lydiard

Legend Award Dr Shellie Morris AO and Sean Pardy

Inspiration Award Nikki Jeffries

Best Performance Award Hymns for the Witching Hour

Impact Award Zoe Scrogings

People's Choice Award Tara Murphy

_{Photo: Paz Tassone}