DORIAN COURTISAN
PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
NOMINATED FOR
Adelaide CBD, 5000
Profiles on this page have been prepared and submitted by nominees or their representatives as part of the South Australian Pride Awards process. Content reflects the words, achievements, and information provided in those submissions. Pride Adelaide has not edited profiles beyond minor formatting or clarity adjustments. Inclusion on this page does not represent an endorsement, assessment, or ranking and does not influence the independent judging process.
How would you describe yourself or your work in one sentence?
Gender in a Blender
Tell us a little about what you do
Dorian Courtisan has been described as a rising star in the Adelaide performing arts and cabaret scene, over the past four years since their debut in June 2022. Originally from regional SA in Kadina, they have become a well known figure in Adelaide's performing arts community. Dorian blends the realms of drag and burlesque to create "drag-lesque," a unique performance style that challenges and expands the traditional boundaries of gender expression and performance art.
In their short career they have performed in several renowned productions around Australia, touring interstate to represent SA artists. These include notable examples such as Shake It!, The Victorian Burlesque Gala, Victoria Falconer's The Parlour and the Mx Burlesque SA competition. They have also performed at numerous festivals across the country, including the Australian Burlesque Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Perth International Burlesque Festival and Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne Fringe Festivals.
What impact or achievement are you most proud of this year?
Dorian has won a state title representing SA within the burlesque industry, as winner of The Apprentease SA burlesque competition in 2023, placing first out of 22 competitors. This win was important for queer performers in the SA burlesque industry, as it showed that you can deviate from the expected "norm" for burlesque and win with explicitly queer art that is true to yourself.
Dorian has also represented SA on a national competition stage, performing as a finalist at the Australian Burlesque Festival's "New Follies" competition in 2024 and the upcoming Melbourne Festival of Tease competition in 2026.
He was also nominated and a finalist for the "Queer Icon" awards, presented by Wear It Purple. This award is to recognise someone who has made a significant impact in representing the queer community for SA. Dorian was nominated and received statements of support by members of the local community, showcasing their wide-reaching impact amongst peers. As well as a state semi-finalist for the “Department of Human Services Pride Award”, presented by the 7 News Young Achiever Awards in 2025.
Why does your work matter to the community?
Dorian's acts have strong themes exploring the queer experience, through their own life as a self-identifying queer transgender man. This allows queer audiences an opportunity to feel represented onstage, and see their own community visibly thriving. This also educates broader audiences, who may not have seen a visibly queer performer before. This can help educate them and demystify some of the fear or misbeliefs they may have about the LGBTIQA+ community.
They have also directly contributed to community support initiatives to help local members of their fellow LGBTIQA+ community. Dorian has performed free of charge for several community events, to support local community spaces including top surgery fundraisers Drop In Care Space, My Lover Cindi and Cancer Council SA. They donated their artist fees with free performances towards fundraisers for these events, to directly support these vital community spaces and charities during difficult economic times.
Dorian has also used their own knowledge in order to help their arts community grow, as a burlesque teacher at the Haus of Coffin burlesque school. Using the mentoring and skills they have been taught by more established performers, they have passed this on to newer members of their art forms, to help ensure fair access and grow the community.
What would you like voters to know when voting for you?
Dorian's work has directly influenced the SA performing arts scene, particularly within the burlesque and drag communities. As a visibly transgender performer, this has given newer performers more freedom to express themselves authentically, and diversify the industry as a whole. Dorian is passionate about giving back to their local community, including through donated performances for fundraiser events and passing on their own experience as a burlesque teacher.