Windmill & State Theatre Company's PINOCCHIO Wins CHASS Australia Prize

Windmill Theatre and State Theatre Company of South Australia have won a prestigious CHASS Australia Prize for their multi award-winning co-production PINOCCHIO, in the category of Distinctive Work for a Performance.

The CHASS Australia Prizes are awarded by the Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences to honour exceptional artistic performance, exhibition, film, television show, play, composition or practical contribution to arts policy. The awards are intended to draw international attention to the achievements of Australians in the sector.

Windmill Theatre's General Manager/Producer Sandy Verschoor said, "It's wonderful to see this work achieve such success. To be recognised by CHASS is a huge honour amongst many other incredibly talented nominees. This is such a wonderful accolade and a credit to the creative team led by our incredibly talented Director Rosemary Myers. "

To date, multi-award winning PINOCCHIO has played to over 35,000 young people around Australia and the world. It premiered with a successful season in Adelaide in 2012 and has since played critically acclaimed seasons in Melbourne, Sydney and most recently, a sell-out season at the New Victory Theatre in New York City, representing a major coup for both South Australian arts companies.

The celebrated family musical has also won Helpmann Awards for 'Best New Australian Work' and 'Best Presentation for Children' and a South Australian Ruby Award for Best Work.

State Theatre Company Executive Director/ Producer Rob Brookman added, "It's been a joy to watch our production grow and grow like the wooden boy's nose. From its inception on the Adelaide stage to Malthouse in Melbourne, the Sydney Opera House and most recently treading the boards of New York, PINOCCHIO has been hugely popular with audiences and critics - but, above all, has shown that a distinctively Australian take on a universal story can transcend period, convention and geography."

Windmill and State Theatre Company are currently developing a new family musical Rumpelstiltskin, which features Paul Capsis. Set to premiere in October 2016, the same creative team will place their stamp on this classic tale with their unique brand of theatrical spectacular, rocking music and supreme silliness.

A full list of 2015 CHASS Award winners can be viewed at chass.org.au. More information about PINOCCHIO can be found at windmill.org.au/shows/PINOCCHIO.

About PINOCCHIO: Once there was a lonely man with lots of love to give. He wanted a child so much that he carved himself a beautiful little boy. But the boy wanted the world and the latest designer sandshoes. He wanted fame, celebrity and to walk on the wild side. He was lured by temptation and the love of a blue girl. This woodenhead wanted more than his father could possibly give, and so he ran away to get it. This is his story... Based on the classic tale and boldly retold as a witty, gothic, rocking, family music theatre spectacular, PINOCCHIO is a contemporary celebration of the 'whatever' generation.

The CHASS Australia prizes are awarded by CHASS at the annual CHASS National Forum. The Australia Prizes are designed to honour distinguished achievements by Australians working, studying, or training on the HASS (Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences) areas, including academics, practitioners, philanthropists, policy makers and students. The Australia Prizes are intended to draw international attention to Australia's achievements in HASS. In 2015, four prizes are being given out. Two are cash prizes of $3,500 each and are sponsored by Routledge: one for a book that enriches Australian cultural and intellectual life, the second for an exceptional artistic performance, exhibition, film, television show, play, composition or practical contribution to arts policy. The third prize, a cash prize of $2,000 sponsored by Future Leaders, is for an individual under 35 years of age demonstrating leadership skill and potential in HASS. Co-Op has sponsored the fourth prize. It is valued at $500 and is for a student essay, exhibition, performance, project or thesis in a HASS area. 2015 marks are the second edition of the Australia Prizes.

Established in 2004, the Council for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) promotes and provides advocacy services for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences in Australia. It serves as a coordinating forum for teachers, researchers, professionals and practitioners in the sector. Supporting more than 85 member organisations in their relationships with policy makers and the broader community, CHASS is an important network for knowledge and skills. It provides a strong voice to the sector and helps members to contribute to the public debate through programs for knowledge exchange and media awareness. For more information, visit www.chass.org.au or call (03) 9925 3935.