Geelong’s Back to Back Theatre has received the 2022 International Ibsen Award, becoming the first Australian company to be recognised. Established and funded by the Norwegian Government to mark the legacy of playwright Henrik Ibsen, the prestigious award recognises excellence and innovation in the international theatre industry. The award will be presented in September during the International Ibsen Festival.

Back to Back Theatre

Back to Back Theatre’s The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes. Photo © Jeff Busby.

The Victoria-based company works with neurodiverse performers and artists, creating productions that challenge public perceptions about neurodiversity and people who live with it. The works are developed internally by the creative staff and the performers. Back to Back has toured successfully both nationally and abroad, receiving acclaim from international publications, including the New York Times.

On 20 March, members of the company were invited to a digital meeting with the award committee to discuss a future guest performance at the festival. This was in reality a guise, and the committee broke the news that Back to Back Theatre had been selected as this year’s recipients.

“Back to...