Three acclaimed Australian writers have been named finalists for the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2026. The biennial award marks its 13th iteration this year, establishing itself as one of Australia’s most significant programs supporting the development of new theatre works.

Finalists Melanie Tait, Michelle Law and Alberto Di Troia were selected following a competitive national search for bold, original ideas, with each finalist set to develop a new play through an 18-month creative process with Queensland Theatre Company (QTC).

Tait’s work, Mrs Crocodilia, is a sharp, contemporary comedy set in Far North Queensland at a fictional tourist attraction, Crocodilia Park. A feminist reimagining of King Lear, the play explores legacy, power and succession through the story of park founder Lynnie McGarry and her three daughters. Tait is an established broadcaster and playwright whose previous work includes The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race and The Queen’s Nanny.

Melanie Tait. Photo Supplied.

Brisbane-based writer Michelle Law is developing Cake, a bittersweet family drama set in Sunnybank. The play centres on a young woman reconnecting with her estranged father while planning a family wedding, only to uncover secrets that threaten to fracture fragile bonds. Law’s previous stage works include her debut play Single Asian Female, Top Coat and Miss Peony, and she has also written extensively for screen.

Michelle Law. Photo Supplied.

Alberto Di Troia’s My Erotic Journey Through Italian Fascism is a dark, comic thriller that moves between Australia and rural Italy. The work follows a queer writer seeking a sense of belonging in his ancestral village, where he discovers unsettling political truths about his family. Di Troia is a screenwriter, script producer and co-director of performance company Stage Mom, with recent credits including Netflix’s The Survivors.

Alberto Di Troia. Photo Supplied.

Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek confirmed the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to supporting Australian stories in exciting new theatre works. “The QPDA is more than just a prestigious award; it is a transformative opportunity for Australian writers and theatremakers to create unforgettable pieces of theatre,” says QTC Artistic Director Daniel Evans.

The three finalists will participate in a development program that includes a regional residency and a public reading of their works before a judging panel. One playwright will be named the QPDA winner later in 2026, receiving a $30,000 cash prize, a full commission fee and box office royalties, supported by Griffith University.

For more information, visit queenslandtheatre.com.au/queensland-premiers-drama-award 

The Queensland Premier’s Drama Award is proudly supported by the Queensland Government and Queensland Theatre Company, with prize contribuIon by Griffith University.