Multicultural dramedy wins Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2025

1. Playwright Jordan Shea’s winning entry Malacañang Made Us wins Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2025.
2. Since 2002, the Award has developed 39 new Australian plays, employing more than 245 actors, writers and directors.
3. Shea receives $16,000 play commission fee, a $30,000 cash prize from award sponsor, as well as premiere production as part of Queensland Theatre’s 2025 season.

Playwright Jordan Shea’s powerful dramedy of history, survival, family and identity, Malacañang Made Us, takes out the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2025.

Shea’s winning entry was one of three finalists, alongside David Burton’s the good dad and Steve Rodgers’ The Future is History, from over 200 submitted works for the award.

Established in 2002, the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award, uniquely provides Australian writers with the necessary time and platform to develop and tell stories, while generating creative employment through the creative development and staging of finalists’ work.

Shea will receive a $16,000 commission fee to develop the play ahead of its world premiere production as part of Queensland Theatre’s 2025 Season, as well as a $30,000 from prize sponsor Griffith University.

To date the Award has fostered 39 new Australian plays, providing jobs for more than 245 actors, writers and directors and attracting audiences of more than 52,000.

Queensland Government investment in Queensland Theatre and the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award helps to grow a pipeline of new stories and talent, while engaging Queensland audiences with theatre experiences that reflect our contemporary communities.

Quotes attributable to the Premier:

“Congratulations to Jordan Shea on his exceptional work, which tells a brave and powerful tale, touching on themes of politics, identity, culture and resilience.

“It’s a story inspired by Jordan’s own multicultural journey and one that many Queenslanders will be able to relate to, given the diversity of our community.

“I look forward to seeing Jordan’s thought-provoking play make its debut on the Queensland Theatre stage and thank everyone who has contributed their diverse storytelling to the Awards.”     

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch:

“Jordan Shea’s winning entry is a unique story of family, place and culture,” Minister Enoch said.

“The Queensland Premier’s Drama Award proudly supports the development and presentation of powerful new works by Australian playwrights, creating compelling and diverse contemporary stories and strengthening Queensland’s position on the national theatrical stage. 

“The Government’s investment in Queensland Theatre enables  the  development and sharing of new work creates employment opportunities, and engage audiences, delivering on our 10-year Creative Together strategy and its priority for a strong and sustainable sector.

“As Queensland prepares to showcase our arts and cultures on the global stage of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, initiatives such as the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award help to grow opportunities and capacity for our creative talent.”        

Quotes attributable to Queensland Theatre Executive Director Criena Gehrke:

“Welcoming a new Queensland Premier’s Drama Award winner's incredible storytelling is always a highlight for Queensland Theatre,” Gehrke said.

“This award magnifies the diverse playwrighting talent we have in this country and we couldn’t be more excited to work alongside Jordan Shea to bring his powerful work in Malacañang Made Us to Queensland audiences.”

Visit queenslandtheatre.com.au for more information.

ENDS