Matilda Awards

26/10/2026

We’re very pleased to welcome Cass Ramsay to the Matilda Awards Executive Committee as we continue to recognise and celebrate the breadth of theatre-making across our state.

Based on Yuwi Country, Mackay, Cass is a creative producer, playwright and arts marketing specialist with a particular passion for regional artists, new Australian work and connecting theatre with audiences and communities.

Across her career, Cass has worked with artists and organisations throughout Queensland, developing and producing new work, artist development programs, play readings, workshops and audience engagement initiatives.

She currently works with JUTE Theatre Company as a Regional Arts Advisor – Theatre through the Regional Arts Services Network - RASN QLD, supporting theatre makers and arts workers across regional Queensland to develop their creative practice, projects and careers.

Cass brings to the committee experience across theatre-making, producing, marketing and sector development, as well as a strong commitment to ensuring Queensland really does mean all of Queensland.

📷 Cooper Brady
Image description: Cass standing with her hands in her pockets, wearing glasses and an all-black outfit with a colourful animal brooch, surrounded by large plants.

21/10/2026

Today is AusArt Day - and we’re giving a big cheer for the artists and organisations making extraordinary things happen across Queensland.

We know what it takes to make theatre. But great art doesn’t happen on creativity alone.

Donations of all sizes help Queensland artists and arts organisations develop new work, employ artists, take creative risks, reach new audiences and bring performances to communities across our very big state.

If you’ve ever been moved by a performance, discovered an artist you now follow everywhere, or walked out of a theatre still talking about what you just saw - today is a pretty good day to help make the next one possible. Click through to discovers Queensland artists and organisations fundraising today.

Give if you can. Share if you can. Cheer them on either way.

Here’s to more Queensland artists, more Queensland stories and more extraordinary work on our stages.

Creative Australia

National day of giving to the arts.

19/10/2026

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE UPDATE

A big welcome to our our newest committee member, Asabi Goodman.

Based in Magandjin, Brisbane, Asabi is an award-winning American-Australian performer whose career spans stage and screen, alongside extensive experience in leadership, governance and industry advocacy.

Asabi is the Australian Federal President of Equity with the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) and an advisor to Griffith University’s Queensland Academy of Excellence in Musical Theatre. She brings a wealth of experience as an artist, advocate and organisational leader, along with a deep commitment to supporting and celebrating the people who make our industry.

We’re glad to welcome Asabi to the Matilda Awards Executive Committee and look forward to having her help us celebrate Queensland theatre and the people who make it.

Image description: A close-up headshot of Asabi smiling at the camera, wearing a black top and light-coloured earrings against a softly blurred brown background.

19/10/2026

MATILDA COMMITTEE MEMBER UPDATE

Some more new faces here at the Matilda's this month - meet our newest committee member, Asabi Goodman.

Based in Magandjin, Brisbane, Asabi is an award-winning American-Australian performer whose career spans stage and screen, alongside extensive experience in leadership, governance and industry advocacy.

Asabi is the Australian Federal President of Equity with the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) and an advisor to Griffith University's Queensland Academy of Excellence in Musical Theatre. She brings a wealth of experience as an artist, advocate and organisational leader, along with a deep commitment to supporting and celebrating the people who make our industry.

We’re glad to welcome Asabi to the Matilda Awards Executive Committee and look forward to having her help us celebrate Queensland theatre and the people who make it.

Image description: A close-up headshot of Asabi smiling at the camera, wearing a black top and light-coloured earrings against a softly blurred brown background.

14/10/2026

Continuing our introductions to the Matilda Awards’ new regional judges, we’re very pleased to welcome Michael Sams.

Based in on Wulgurukaba and Bindal Country in Townsville, Michael is a playwright, actor, director and producer with extensive experience across Queensland theatre. He has performed in more than 70 productions and is an ensemble member of Theatre iNQ, where he also facilitates the annual PlayGround Writers Festival.

As a playwright, Michael’s work has been performed across Australia and internationally, with several works adapted for podcast and radio. His plays have been published by Australian Plays Transform, and his writing has been recognised through the Erin Thomas Playwriting Fund, the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award shortlist and, most recently, the Griffin Award longlist.

Michael also brings considerable experience in supporting and assessing new work, having served as a RADF Assessor, Regional Literary Manager for Short+Sweet International, script assessor and dramaturg. He has participated in Playlab Theatre's Incubator and Gather programs and was appointed a Playlab commissioned Playwright-in-Residence in 2025.

We’re delighted to have Michael bring his experience as a regional theatre-maker, playwright and advocate for new work to the Matilda Awards judging panel, as we continue to strengthen regional representation and recognise theatre-making across Queensland.

Image description: A black-and-white headshot of Michael smiling, with short hair and a beard, wearing a dark T-shirt against a blurred leafy background.

12/10/2026

WELCOME TO OUR NEW JUDGE - AUTUMN SKUTHORPE

Earlier this year, the Matilda Awards began recruiting regional judges as part of our commitment to better reflect and recognise theatre-making across the breadth of Queensland.

We’re very pleased to introduce one of our new regional judges, Autumn Skuthorpe. A Māori wahine (Te Arawa, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Porou), Autumn is a passionate advocate for regional arts and culture and for celebrating the voices and stories of her region.

Based on Yuwi Country, Mackay, Autumn is the Artistic Director / CEO of Crossroad Arts and a leading voice in regional and inclusive arts practice. With almost two decades of experience as a performer, artist, producer, facilitator and arts leader, her work has championed inclusive contemporary performance, regional stories and greater opportunities for artists and communities.

Across her practice, Autumn has contributed to creative developments, co-produced new performance work, facilitated workshops and collaborated with artists to tell their own stories. She has also founded artist collectives, coordinated festivals and worked across music, film, visual arts and performance.

We’re delighted to welcome Autumn to the Matilda Awards judging panel as we continue to strengthen regional representation and recognise theatre-making across Queensland.

More announcements to come!

📷 Leah Mclean Photography
Image description: A headshot of Autumn smiling, wearing glasses and a striped dress.

12/10/2026

WELCOME TO OUR NEW JUDGES

Earlier this year, the Matilda Awards began recruiting regional judges as part of our commitment to better reflect and recognise theatre-making across the breadth of Queensland.

We’re very pleased to introduce one of our new regional judges, Autumn Skuthorpe. A Māori wahine (Te Arawa, Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Porou), Autumn is a passionate advocate for regional arts and culture and for celebrating the voices and stories of her region.

Based on Yuwi Country, Mackay, Autumn is the Artistic Director / CEO of Crossroad Arts Inc and a leading voice in regional and inclusive arts practice. With almost two decades of experience as a performer, artist, producer, facilitator and arts leader, her work has championed inclusive contemporary performance, regional stories and greater opportunities for artists and communities.

Across her practice, Autumn has contributed to creative developments, co-produced new performance work, facilitated workshops and collaborated with artists to tell their own stories. She has also founded artist collectives, coordinated festivals and worked across music, film, visual arts and performance.

We’re delighted to welcome Autumn to the Matilda Awards judging panel as we continue to strengthen regional representation and recognise theatre-making across Queensland.

📷 Leah Mclean Photography
Image description: A headshot of Autumn smiling, wearing glasses and a striped dress.

28/04/2026

The Matilda’s are calling!

Expressions of interest are now open for regional artists to join the judging panel.

Help shape a more inclusive awards process by bringing your local knowledge and perspective to the panel, helping ensure regional artists and productions are represented with depth, context, and care.

📍 Learn more about the position via https://www.matildaawards.com.au/press/expansion-of-matilda-awards-regional-coverage

🗓 Applications close May 18 at 5pm

Join us in celebrating theatre beyond the city limits and help ensure great work doesn’t go unseen.