About

The Green Room Awards are Melbourne’s performing arts awards and recognise the world-class Cabaret, Dance, Musical Theatre, Opera, Theatre and Alternative and Hybrid Performance productions that grace Melbourne’s stages each year. From artistic excellence to technical innovation, a Green Room Award is the most revered accolade an artist can receive in Australia’s cultural capital.

The Green Room Awards were first held in 1982 and aim to recognise excellence across the Melbourne theatre industry by nominating and presenting awards.

Productions and production companies register with the Green Room Awards Association to be considered for the awards, encouraging Green Room panel members to attend their performances.

The voting year is from January 1 to December 31, with nominations announced on the City of Melbourne’s proclaimed “Theatre Day” (the third Tuesday in February), the following year. The award ceremony is usually in March.

Unlike other awards, the Green Room Awards is not a popularity contest. Panels of industry professionals who specialise in the different disciplines are responsible for deciding the nominees and recipients. Because of this industry involvement, a Green Room Award is a highly respected accolade for all performing and technical artists.

The Green Room Awards Association also announces a Lifetime Achievement Award each year to a person who has contributed significantly to theatre life in Melbourne. The Green Room Awards Association is responsible for managing the Awards, nominations and the annual awards ceremony.

The Green Room Awards Association is a voluntary, participatory association. The Awards are peer-assessed and unlike other awards, there is no fee payable for consideration by the Green Room Awards Association.

The Association only assesses professional theatrical productions. Where productions are a professional co-operative, they must comply with the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance’s definition and policy.

We do not assess student, amateur or community theatre.