The Balnaves Foundation has announced that Kamilaroi playwright Thomas Weatherall has received the 2021 Balnaves Foundation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship to work with Belvoir. Weatherall will use the $25,000 residency to work on a new play, Blue (working title), as well as being a First Nations voice in Belvoir’s creative decision-making.

Thomas Weatherall. Photo © Kate Williams.

“We believe that supporting the next generation of artists and funding new Australian work at the creative development stage is extremely important. Philanthropy provides the opportunity to bring new Indigenous works to new audiences; engaging, challenging and educating them,” said Hamish Balnaves, CEO of The Balnaves Foundation. “These stories play a vital role in truth telling, treaty and reconciliation. We are excited to congratulate Thomas on the award and to see how he will use the fellowship to further develop his writing and directorial talent”.

Since 2012, the Balnaves Fellowship has become one of the most prestigious awards for First Nations theatre-makers, providing a platform for playwrights to work closely with Belvoir, and...