******THE 2009 MITCH MATHEWS AWARD ******

The winner of the 2009 "Mitch" will be announced at our first reading of 2010 - March 22nd. Be there for the big announcement!

MITCH MATHEWS AND PARNASSUS' DEN

Mitch Mathews cut her theatrical teeth in Melbourne in the 1940s, working with companies such as The Melbourne Little Theatre and the New Theatre in Sydney. An actor on stage, film, television and radio, writer, director, TV host, drama teacher, journalist and casting agent, her career spanned half a century. From playing opposite Peter Finch in THE BROKEN PITCHER with the Mercury Theatre in the 1940s to playing the lesbian Gran in THE SUM OF US opposite Russell Crowe and Jack Thompson, Mitch had done it all. Her vision for the collaborative creative process spurred her to establish her own casting agency where her influence on young emerging professionals is still felt by many of us. A passionate believer in supporting new writers and their work, she became Parnassus' Den's chairman in 1997 until she lost her battle with cancer in 2001.

The Mitch Mathews Award At the conclusion of each year, Parnassus’ Den selects the best play (as judged by its committee) that was read at the Monday night readings. This play is awarded the Mitch Mathews Award or “Mitch”. PD will aim to produce the winner of the "Mitch" each year. In November 2005, Parnassus’ Den produced the inaugural winner of the “Mitch” THE DEPARTMENT STORE by nationally and internationally renowned writer Justin Fleming. The production, directed by Chris Hurrell enjoyed major critical and public success with a four week sell-out season at The Old Fitzroy Theatre. Previous winners of the Mitch Mathews Award (the “Mitch”) 2004 – The Department Store by Justin Fleming 2005 – Renaissance by Ron Elisha 2006 – Rio Saki & Other Falling Debris by Shaun Charles 2007 – Men, Love & The Monkey Boy by Caleb Lewis 2008 - Prefrontal Lobotomy by Andrew Lippiatt Parnassus’ Den awarded the 2005 “Mitch” to RENAISSANCE by Ron Elisha, and was proud to produce a four week season at the Old Fitzroy Theatre In November 2006. The winner of the 2007 “Mitch” was MEN, LOVE & THE MONKEY BOY by Caleb Lewis. This play was produced by Darlinghurst Theatre & Parramatta Riverside Theatres in April 2008