Back to Back Gladwin’s awkward award

BACK TO BACK Theatre’s Bruce Gladwin admits feeling awkward about his Australia Council Award.
The passionate and compassionate artistic director, who has guided an ensemble of Geelong performers with intellectual disabilities since 1999, said the award was unexpected.
“It’s a real privilege to work with those in the ensemble; my awkwardness is that the ensemble is not recognised as such.”
Back to BackUnder has performed in more than 20 countries under Mr Gladwin’s leadership.
“I have the best job in Australia at the moment,” he said after his acknowledgement for outstanding achievement in theatre.
“It’s a new award and it’s a great honour to be recognised by your peers.”
Mr Gladwin said $50,000 in prize money accompanying the award would allow him to pursue his dreams.
“At some time I’ll leave and somebody else will take over and maybe I’ll be able to take some risks that I haven’t taken before.
“As an artist you don’t enter this lifestyle with any sense of security.”