Dr Bryan Nason is a director, writer, actor and long-standing pioneer in live theatre in Queensland. While studying science and teaching at UQ, he was an active participant of the drama society. Following his graduation in the early 60s, he embarked on a career firmly based in the arts.
He established theatre troupe Grin and Tonic, which directed the first Queensland Theatre Company production in 1969. While Dr Nason retired from his leadership role in the troupe in 2009, Grin and Tonic continues to serve an important role in arts education, with more than 60,000 school students seeing their productions or participating in their workshops annually.
Over the years Grin and Tonic has produced a number of notable shows, including Right on the Night with Geoffrey Rush (1979), The Bacchoi (1971), Othello (1987) at the Sydney Opera House, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2010) co-produced with Milton State School, Macbeth (2014) co-produced with Queensland Theatre Company and directed by Michael Attenborough CBE, and The 7 Stages of Grieving (2015-2017 Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Montreal, London).
In 2001, Dr Nason was awarded the Centenary Medal and named a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the performing arts in Queensland. In 2005, he was awarded Doctor of Letters honoris causa by UQ.