QUT alumni dominated Queensland's prestigious Matilda Awards this week, winning in more than 50 per cent of categories and showing the university's continuing excellence in performing arts education.
Scenes from a Yellow Peril by Nathan Joe, presented by The Reaction Theory with BIPOC Arts Australia and directed by QUT graduates Chelsea August and Egan Sun-Bin for its Queensland Theatre’s Door 3 season last year, claimed both Best Ensemble and Best Independent Production awards. Sun-Bin was a recipient of QUT's $5,000 Jennifer Blocksidge Memorial Scholarship in 2020, valuable support that has allowed them to develop their independent practice.
Actor, playwright and Kamilaroi man Thomas Weatherall, meanwhile, achieved dual honours, winning Best Performance in a Leading Role for Blue and the Lord Mayor's Award for Best New Australian Work, confirming QUT's reputation for nurturing exceptional talent. Blue debuted in Sydney to great acclaim before its season at La Boite in 2024.
QUT Alumni also made their mark in the design categories, with Jason Glenwright winning Best Lighting Design for Straight from the Strait and Alethea Beetson (and collaborators) securing Best Video Design for Meet Your Maker. Lisa Fa'alafi and Leah Shelton were recognised for Best Costume Design for Dangerous Goods.
Dr Tessa Rixon, QUT Study Area Coordinator (Acting, Drama and Production Design), said many of the award-winning productions were made possible through the hard work of production and drama graduates behind the scenes.
"We’re so happy to see the amazing work of these creatives recognised," Dr Rixon said.
"In our performing arts programs here at QUT, we pride ourselves on intensive practical learning experiences underpinned by ground-breaking theory and research, with strong industry partnerships.
“Many of our staff are an active part of this creative community, and we believe those links help prepare students for lifelong careers and incredible achievements like we’ve seen at the Matildas.”
Associate Professor Andrea Moor said QUT took very seriously its mission of being a university for the real world.
“Our aim is to prepare students to not only act on stage and screen but to also develop their own work and we support this with financial incentives offered in third year,” Dr Moor said.
“QUT Acting continues to dominate the local scene and play a significant role nationally. Our industry focused training assists our graduates in being industry relevant, able to shape their own futures in theatre and screen.”
Associate Professor Charles Robb. Academic Lead, Engagement, School of Creative Arts, said QUT’s acting program had maintained an exceptional track record with nearly 100% of graduates securing professional representation upon completion.
“The QUT acting program's consistent recognition as Australia's top drama discipline by The Australian in 2022, 2023, and 2025 underscores its continued excellence,” Dr Robb said.
“Our success as a discipline is measured by these kinds of outcomes - graduates who create meaningful work, transform the cultural landscape, and build genuine careers that contribute to Australia's creative industries.”
The Matilda Awards ceremony took place at Brisbane Powerhouse on February 24, 2025.
Main image: Scenes from a Yellow Peril cast and crew. Back row: Emma Burchell (BFA Technical Production), Frances Foo, Jess Bunz (La Boite), Chelsea August (BFA Drama), Brianna Clark (BFA Technical Production), Egan Sun-Bin (BFA Acting), Katrina Irawati Graham, Petria Leong (BFA Technical Production). Front row: Daphne Chen, Chris Nguyen, Jazz Zhao, Peter Wood. Photo: Bulimba Studios
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