Alumni dominate Matilda Award nominations

The nominations for the 2011 Matilda Awards have been announced and USQ graduates are forerunners in eight of the 10 award categories.

The awards, which recognise excellence in theatre and opera in Queensland, have this year given a nod to USQ alumni and up-and-coming performers Melanie Zanetti, Amy Ingram, Leon Cain, Jessica Harm, and Lucas Stibbard, as well as Toowoomba-based writer/director David Burton, and writer Tammy Weller.

Acting lecturer Scott Alderdice, who has taught and worked with these nominees at various stages during his 13-year career at USQ, said it was wonderful to see his colleagues and former students receive the peer recognition they deserved.

'They have all worked hard and it is great to see them doing well in such a competitive industry,' he said.

'They are all special people and it is a privilege to work with people of that ability. The many staff members in the Faculty who have supported them in their studies and continue to support them in their careers are so proud to be a part of their success.'

Melanie Zanetti, who graduated from USQ in 2007, has caught the judge’s eye this year and received four nominations in all the categories she is eligible to be nominated in.

She is a firm favourite to win Best Female Actor in a Lead Role for her performance in La Boite’s production of Engine, and was nominated twice in the Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her performances in Grimm Tales and The Little Dog Laughed, both with the Queensland Theatre Company.

'This is definitely Melanie’s year,' Mr Alderdice said. 'She has achieved so much in the short time that she has been working in the industry.'

USQ graduates and soon to be guest staff members, Lucas Stibbard and Amy Ingram, have been nominated for best Male and Female Actors in Leading Roles, respectively.

Furious Angels, written and directed by Toowoomba-based USQ alumnus David Burton, is nominated for Best Independent Production and Best New Australian Work, while Leon Caine’s one-man show I Love You Bro for La Boite has been nominated for Best Mainstage Production.

Mr Alderdice said USQ had a strong Creative Arts community network and took its responsibility of supporting emerging graduates very seriously.

'We help our students during their studies but view our support of them afterwards as even more important,' he said.

Matilda Award winners will be announced on March 7 at a gala ceremony at the Judith Wright Centre. For more information about the nominations visit: www.matildaawards.com.au