2026 Green Room Awards recipient | Outstanding Duo
Gary Lang NT Dance Company is humbled to announce Alexander Abbot and Chandler ‘Cheeky’ Connell as the recipients in the 2026 Green Room Awards Outstanding Duo Category.
The Outstanding Duo Award recognises Abbot and Connell’s illuminating performance in The Other Side of Me by Gary Lang NT Dance Company, produced by BlakDance.
The Other Side of Me was presented as part of The Australian Ballet’s DanceX Festival at Arts Centre Melbourne last October.
Co-created by Gary Lang and Laura Fish and produced by BlakDance, The Other Side of Me was nominated in two categories for the 2026 Green Room Awards, Breaking Ground and Outstanding Duo.
Alex Abbot said:
“It feels incredible to receive this award. I'm so grateful that the hard work Cheeky and I have put in is being recognised. Big thanks to Gary Lang and Noelle Shader for making us look awesome!”
Kerry Digby, General Manager, Gary Lang NT Dance Company said:
“Gary Lang NT Dance Company is honoured to accept this prestigious award and we congratulate Alex and Chandler on this sought-after accolade. It would not be without our stellar team of creatives - Noelle Shader, Liz Pavey, Jennifer Irwin, Sam Pankhurst, Janet Munyarryun, Samuel James, and Ariane Pearson who all worked tirelessly to bring The Other Side of Me to life.”
Gary Lang NT Dance Company is grateful to its dedicated donors and supporters of innovative First Nations dance practice, and thanks the Australian Ballet and production partner BlakDance for their enduring collaboration.
The Other Side of Me has received financial assistance from the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body and the Northern Territory Government through Arts NT.
GLNTDC thanks the Green Room for its continued commitment to promote and nurture the Australian performing arts industry, and congratulates all 2026 recipients.
ABOUT The Green Room Awards
The Green Room Awards are Melbourne’s premier, peer-presented, performing arts industry awards. Each year, the awards recognise outstanding achievements in Cabaret, Contemporary & Experimental Performance, Dance, Independent Theatre, Music Theatre, Opera and Theatre Companies.
The awards acknowledge the contributions of the many, diverse artists and technicians who work on stage, backstage, in the grid and in the pit. An entirely voluntary organisation, members give their time to recognise, celebrate and promote the work of industry peers and contribute to a stronger, more vibrant, inclusive, innovative and prosperous industry for theatre makers and our audiences.
ABOUT THE OTHER SIDE OF ME
Choreographed by Larrakia man Gary Lang, this international, cross-cultural collaboration with Northumbria University (UK) shares the tragedy of Stolen Generations through the true story of an Aboriginal man stranded between two families, continents and cultures - sharing the little known aspect of Stolen Generations, those adopted into internationally based families.
The Other Side of Me by Gary Lang NT Dance Company, produced by BlakDance. Photo: Gregory Lorenzutti
TOUR DATES & info
llawarra performing arts centre (IPAC), Wollongong (NSW) Wednesday 22 April , Thursday 23 April
Burnie Arts, Burnie (TAS) Wednesday 29 April
Theatre Royal, Hobart (TAS) Friday 01 May, Saturday 02 May
Sydney Opera House, Sydney (NSW)Wednesday 06 May, Thursday 07 May, Friday 08 May, Saturday 09 May
Stay tuned for The Other Side of Me tour dates and information.