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The Stage Debut Awards are theatre awards recognising individuals making their professional debuts in theperforming arts in the UK.[1] The annual ceremony was launched in 2017 byThe Stage and include accolades for Best Performer in a Play, Best Writer, Best Designer and the Best West End Debut Performer.[2][3] Recipients of these awards have gone on to star inWest End shows, television series and films.[4][5][6]
The awards ceremony is held annually at 8Northumberland Avenue, London.
In 2020, the Best Actor in a Play and Best Actress in a Play awards were updated to Best Performer in a Play and the Best Actor in a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical awards were updated to Best Performer in a Musical.
Eligible nominees must be aged 16 or over, and making their professional debut in a named role in a production reviewed byThe Stage. For acting roles this should be a first named role.The Stage's nationwide network of theatre critics put forward nominees from productions they have reviewed. Performers, writers, directors, designers and composers making their stage debut (and their agents) are also able to nominate themselves online for consideration. The public can also nominate individuals for each category.[7]
Industry professionals from across the UK are then invited to give their input into the longlist. These advisors have included producer Danielle Tarento, casting directorDavid Grindrod, David Jubb,Battersea Arts Centre, designerEs Devlin, Hannah Miller,Royal Shakespeare Company; James Grieve,Paines Plough; Jenny Sealey,Graeae; Jimmy Fay,Lyric Theatre; Laura Donnelly,National Theatre of Scotland; Madani Younis,Bush Theatre; directorMichael Grandage; actorNoma Dumezweni, designerPaule Constable; Pravesh Kumar, Rifco; actorPreeya Kalidas; Sam Hodges, Nuffield Southampton Theatres; producerSonia Friedman; Tom Morris,Bristol Old Vic; and Wendy Spon,National Theatre.[8]
The judging panel decide on the shortlist and winners in all categories, except the Best West End Debut where the shortlist is voted on by the public. The Best West End Debut award recognises those who are making their professional debut in London's West End. This includes individuals who have previously made their debut outside of the West End.
In 2017, the inauguralThe Stage Debut Awards Ceremony took place at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, on September 17.
The ceremony was hosted by West End leading manBen Forster.[9] Category Presenters included directorMichael Grandage, actorSharon D. Clarke, actorRachel Tucker, Theatre ownerNica Burns,National Theatre directorRufus Norris and actorKenneth Cranham.[10] Exclusive performances at the ceremony were fromDreamgirls and the National Theatre'sFollies.[11][12]
In 2018, the ceremony took place on September 23 at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London. The ceremony was hosted byCush Jumbo and the Category Presenters included directorMichael Grandage, actorRuthie Henshall, singerPreeya Kalidas, actorJodie Prenger, and lighting designerPaule Constable. Exclusive performances at the ceremony were fromAnaïs Mitchell andMiriam-Teak Lee.
In 2019, the ceremony took place at The Brewery, London, on September 15. The ceremony was hosted byCush Jumbo, and the exclusive performances were byRachel Tucker andAmara Okereke. Category Presenters included actorGiles Terera, actorMichael Xavier, singerBrenda Edwards, actorJanie Dee, actorMark Gatiss, and playwrightInua Ellams.
The first digital ceremony was hosted as a free online event in 2020 byMiriam-Teak Lee (winner of Best Actress in a Musical in 2017) on 27 September and featured an exclusive performance from SpitLip (winner of the 2019 Best Composer/Lyricist awards).
In 2021, no ceremony took place due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
In 2022, the ceremony took place at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London on Sunday, September 18. The ceremony was hosted bySusan Wokoma, and exclusive performances were byShan Ako, Samuel Thomas,Frances Mayli McCann andNatalie Paris. Category Presenters included actorAmanda Abbington, directorJamie Lloyd, singer-songwriter and performerLouise Rednapp, singerJay McGuiness, actorMatt Henry and theatre designerAnna Fleischle.
In 2023, the ceremony took place at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London on Sunday, October 1. The ceremony was hosted byDivina de Campo, and the exclusive performances were by Emily Benjamin,Zizi Strallen andRachael Wooding. Category Presenters included actorCallum Scott Howells, singerFaye Tozer, directorRebecca Frecknall, lighting designer Prem Mehta, writerMorgan Lloyd Malcom, actorJohn Partridge, actorBertie Carvel and actorOmari Douglas.
In 2024, the ceremony took place on Sunday, September 29 at 8 Northumberland Avenue.[13]
| The Stage Debut Awards 2017[3][2] | Winner | Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| Best Actor in a Play | Abraham Popoola inOthello atTobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol | Jack Archer inNivelli's War at TheLyric Theatre, Belfast |
| TJ Jones inThe Seven Acts of Mercy atSwan Theatre,Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon | ||
| Kenneth Omole inAssata Taught Me at theGate Theatre, London | ||
| Best Actress in a Play | Grace Molony inThe Country Girls atMinerva Theatre, Chichester | Anya Chalotra inMuch Ado About Nothing atShakespeare's Globe, London |
| Kellan Frankland inThe House of Bernarda Alba atRoyal Exchange, Manchester | ||
| Jess Peet inAlice in Wonderland at TheRoyal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh | ||
| Best Actor in a Musical | Samuel Thomas inAllegro atSouthwark Playhouse, London | Adam J Bernard inDreamgirls atSavoy Theatre, London |
| Ben Hunter inThe Girls atPhoenix Theatre, London | ||
| Daniel Urch in110 in the Shade at Ye Olde Rose and Crown, London | ||
| Best Actress in a Musical | Miriam-Teak Lee inOn the Town atRegent's Park Open Air Theatre, London | Chloe Carrington inHair atHope Mill Theatre, Manchester |
| Emily Hughes inFiddler on the Roof atEveryman Theatre, Liverpool | ||
| Siena Kelly inOn the Town atRegent's Park Open Air Theatre, London | ||
| Best Director | Lekan Lawal forBetrayal atDerby Theatre, Derby | Sean Aydon forRichard III atRosemary Branch Theatre, London |
| Alexander Lass for46 Beacon atTrafalgar Studios 2, London | ||
| Lynette Linton forAssata Taught Me at the Gate Theatre, London | ||
| Best Designer | Rosie Elnile forThe Convert at Gate Theatre, London | Joshua Gadsby forStill Ill atNew Diorama Theatre, London |
| Simon Spencer forThe Tempest atRoyal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon | ||
| Jessica Staton forExtra Yarn atOrange Tree Theatre, London | ||
| Best Composer or Lyricist | Dan Gillespie Sells forEverybody's Talking About Jamie atCrucible Theatre, Sheffield | Jonah Brody and MJ Harding forRemoval Men atThe Yard, London |
| Ruth Chan forSnow in Midsummer at Swan Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon | ||
| Stephen Jackson forRoller Diner atSoho Theatre, London | ||
| Best Writer | Katherine Soper forWish List at Royal Exchange, Manchester andRoyal Court Theatre, London | Titas Halder forRun the Beast Down atMarlowe Theatre, Canterbury andFinborough Theatre, London |
| Asif Khan forCombustion atTara Arts, London | ||
| Victoria Willing forSpring Offensive at Clapham Omnibus, London | ||
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut[14] | Andrew Polec forBat Out of Hell atLondon Coliseum[15] | John Boyega inWoyzeck at Old Vic |
| Anthony Boyle inHarry Potter and the Cursed Child at ThePalace Theatre | ||
| Andy Karl inGroundhog Day atOld Vic | ||
| Audra McDonald inLady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill atWyndham's Theatre | ||
| Imogen Poots inWho's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? atHarold Pinter Theatre | ||
| Amber Riley inDreamgirls at Savoy Theatre | ||
| Charlie Stemp inHalf a Sixpence atNoël Coward Theatre |
| The Stage Debut Awards 2018[16] | Winner | Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| Best Actor in a Play | Akshay Sharan inThe Reluctant Fundamentalist, Yard Theatre, London | Seb Carrington inSummer and Smoke,Almeida Theatre, London |
| Chris Walley inThe Lieutenant of Inishmore,Noël Coward Theatre, London | ||
| Alex Wilson inThe Elephant Man,Bristol Old Vic, Bristol | ||
| Best Actress in a Play | Gemma Dobson inRita, Sue and Bob Too,Octagon Theatre, Bolton | Kitty Archer inOne for Sorrow,Royal Court, London |
| Lorna Fitzgerald inThe Shadow Factory, NST City, Southampton | ||
| Grainne O'Mahony inThe Elephant Man,Bristol Old Vic, Bristol | ||
| Best Actor in a Musical | Louis Gaunt inOklahoma!,Grange Park Opera, West Horsley | Will Carey inIt's Only Life,Union Theatre, London |
| Toby Miles inLes Misérables,Queen's Theatre, London | ||
| Simon Oskarsson inReturn to the Forbidden Planet,Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London | ||
| Best Actress in a Musical | Amara Okereke inLes Misérables, Queen's Theatre, London | Teleri Hughes inSpring Awakening at theHope Mill Theatre, Manchester |
| Eleanor Kane inFun Home at theYoung Vic, London | ||
| Rebecca Mendoza inHairspray, on tour | ||
| Best Director | Katy Rudd forThe Almighty Sometimes,Royal Exchange, Manchester | Iwan Lewis forOne Minute, the Barn Theatre, Cirencester |
| Alexandra Moxon forWreck atNottingham Playhouse | ||
| Oscar Pearce forGreat Apes at theArcola Theatre, London | ||
| Best Designer | Khadija Raza forHijabi Monologues,Spun, andMixtape,Bush Theatre, London, theArcola Theatre, London and theRoyal Exchange, Manchester | Basia Binkowska forDevil with the Blue Dress at theBunker Theatre, London |
| Fin Redshaw forPieces of String andLove Me Now,Mercury Theatre, Colchester and theTristan Bates Theatre, London | ||
| Jasmine Swan forHyem,The Passing of Third Floor Back,Hanna andThe Sleeper,Theatre503, London, the Finborough Theatre, London, the Arcola Theatre, London, and Rialto Theatre, Brighton | ||
| Best Composer or Lyricist | Gus Gowland forPieces of String,Mercury Theatre, Colchester | Kate Marlais forAbandon,Lyric Hammersmith, London |
| Matt Winkworth forThe Assassination of Katie Hopkins,Theatr Clwyd, Mold | ||
| Best Writer | Andrew Thompson forIn Event of Moone Disaster,Theatre503, London | Georgia Christou forYous Two,Hampstead Theatre, London |
| Kendall Feaver forThe Almighty Sometimes,Royal Exchange, Manchester | ||
| Natasha Gordon forNine Night,National Theatre, London | ||
| Joe White forMayfly, Orange Tree Theatre, London | ||
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Aidan Turner inThe Lieutenant of Inishmore,Noël Coward Theatre | Mohammad Amiri forThe Jungle at thePlayhouse Theatre |
| Ashley Banjo forDick Whittington at the London Palladium | ||
| Bryan Cranston forNetwork at the National Theatre | ||
| Michelle Greenidge forNine Night at the National Theatre | ||
| John McCrea forEverybody’s Talking About Jamie at theApollo Theatre | ||
| Kelli O'Hara forThe King and I at the London Palladium |
| The Stage Debut Awards 2019[17][18] | Winner | Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| Best Actor in a Play | Jamal Ajala inEar for Eye, Royal Court | Stuart Campbell inThe Hunt, Almeida Theatre |
| Patrick Gibson inSweat,Donmar Warehouse and theGielgud Theatre, London | ||
| Ivan Oyik inBlue/Orange,Birmingham Repertory Theatre | ||
| Best Actress in a Play | Lauren O'Leary inThe Awkward Years, The Other Room, Cardiff | Liv Hill inTop Girls, National Theatre |
| Urielle Klein-Mekongo inYvette, Bush Theatre | ||
| Bea Webster inMother Courage, Albion Electric Warehouse, Leeds | ||
| Best Actor in a Musical | Adam Hugill forStanding at the Sky's Edge, Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Ryan Hutton inOnly Fools and Horses The Musical,Theatre Royal Haymarket |
| Jac Yarrow inJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, London Palladium | ||
| Best Actress in a Musical | Danielle Fiamanya inThe Color Purple,Curve, Leicester andBirmingham Hippodrome | Georgina Ambrey inMy Mother Said I Never Should andThe Rise and Fall of Little Voice,Theatre by the Lake, Keswick |
| Maiya Quansah-Breed inSix,Arts Theatre | ||
| Jarneia Richard-Noel inSix, Arts Theatre | ||
| Best Director | Atri Banerjee forHobson's Choice,Royal Exchange, Manchester | Tyrone Huntley forAin't Misbehaving,Mercury Theatre, Colchester |
| Jade Lewis forSuperhoe, Royal Court | ||
| Tom Scutt forBerberian Sound Studio,Donmar Warehouse | ||
| Best Designer | Evie Gurney forAntony and Cleopatra andThe Hunt, National Theatre andAlmeida Theatre | Abby Clarke forBeauty and the Beast,Theatre by the Lake, Keswick |
| Maxwell Nicholson Lailey forHuddle (Unicorn Theatre) | ||
| Best Composer or Lyricist | David Cumming, Felix Hagan,Natasha Hodgson andZoë Roberts forOperation Mincemeat,New Diorama Theatre | Oran Eldor and Marcus Stevens forMythic the Musical,Charing Cross Theatre |
| Anaïs Mitchell forHadestown, National Theatre | ||
| Femi Temowo forDeath of a Salesman, Young Vic | ||
| Best Writer | Jasmine Lee-Jones forSeven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner,Royal Court | Ross Willis forWolfie,Theatre503 |
| Nicôle Lecky forSuperhoe, Royal Court | ||
| Holly Robinson forSoft Animals,Soho Theatre | ||
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Jac Yarrow forJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, London Palladium | Matthew Broderick inThe Starry Messenger, Wyndham's Theatre |
| Andrew Burnap inThe Inheritance, Noël Coward Theatre | ||
| Nathanael Campbell inCome From Away, Phoenix Theatre | ||
| Saffron Coomber inEmilia, Vaudeville Theatre | ||
| Sarah Gordy inJellyfish, National Theatre | ||
| Samuel H Levine inThe Inheritance, Noël Coward Theatre |
| The Stage Debut Awards 2020[19][20] | Winner | Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| Best Performer in a Play | Daniel Monks forTeenage Dick at theDonmar Warehouse, London & Rachel Nwokoro forLittle Baby Jesus at the Orange Tree Theatre, London | Saida Ahmed forLittle Miss Burden at the Bunker, London |
| Brooklyn Melvin forOliver Twist at Leeds Playhouse (in a co-production with Ramps on the Moon) | ||
| Jessica Rhodes forThe Sugar Syndrome at the Orange Tree Theatre, London | ||
| Khai Shaw forLittle Baby Jesus at the Orange Tree Theatre, London | ||
| Bobby Stallwood forFaith, Hope and Charity at the National Theatre, London | ||
| Best Performer in a Musical | Shan Ako forLes Misérables at theSondheim Theatre, London &Sam Tutty forDear Evan Hansen at theNoël Coward Theatre, London | Lucy Anderson forDear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre, London |
| Chase Brown forMame at theHope Mill Theatre, Manchester | ||
| Oli Higginson forThe Last Five Years at the Southwark Playhouse, London | ||
| Adriana Ivelisse forWest Side Story atCurve, Leicester | ||
| Tom Noyes forPreludes at theSouthwark Playhouse, London | ||
| Bethany Tennick forIslander at the Southwark Playhouse, London | ||
| Best Director | Martha Kiss Perrone forWhen It Breaks It Burns at theBattersea Arts Centre, London | Georgia Green forThe Mikvah Project at theOrange Tree Theatre, London |
| Alex Sutton forPreludes at the Southwark Playhouse, London | ||
| Best Designer | Rose Revitt (set and costume) forDr Korczak's Example atLeeds Playhouse | Liam Bunster (set and costume) forThe Taming of the Shrew atShakespeare's Globe, London |
| Andrew Exeter (lighting) forHigh Fidelity at the Turbine Theatre, London | ||
| Best Composer or Lyricist | Jim Barne and Kit Buchan forThe Season at theNew Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich andRoyal and Derngate, Northampton | Jherek Bischoff forThe Ocean at the End of the Lane at the National Theatre, London |
| Robbie Williams forThe Boy in the Dress at theRoyal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon | ||
| Best Writer | Temi Wilkey forThe High Table at theBush Theatre, London (in a co-production with Birmingham Rep) | Samuel Bailey forShook at theSouthwark Playhouse, London |
| Mari Izzard forHela at The Other Room, Cardiff | ||
| Eleanor Tindall forBefore I Was a Bear at The Bunker, London | ||
| Best West End Debut Performer | Sam Tutty forDear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre | Shan Ako forLes Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre |
| David Mitchell forThe Upstart Crow at the Gielgud Theatre | ||
| Daniel Monks forTeenage Dick at theDonmar Warehouse | ||
| Samantha Pauly forEvita at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre | ||
| Wendell Pierce forDeath of a Salesman at the Piccadilly Theatre | ||
| Aimee Lou Wood forUncle Vanya at theHarold Pinter Theatre | ||
| Best Creative West End Debut | Femi Temowo (composer) forDeath of a Salesman at thePiccadilly Theatre and forThree Sisters at the National Theatre | Fabian Aloise (choreographer) forEvita atRegent's Park Open Air Theatre |
| Nadia Latif (director) forFairview at theYoung Vic Theatre | ||
| Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Steven Levenson (composer, lyricist & book) forDear Evan Hansen at theNoël Coward Theatre | ||
| David West Read (book) for& Juliet at theShaftesbury Theatre |
| The Stage Debut Awards 2022[21] | Winner | Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| Best Performer in a Play | Elisabeth Gunawan forUnforgettable Girl at Volia! Europe Theatre Festival, London & Ensemble ofFor Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy atthe New Diorama andRoyal Court, London (Mark Akintimehin, Emmanuel Akwafo, Nnabiko Ejimofor, Darragh Hand, Aruna Jalloh, Kaine Lawrence) | Samuel Creasey forBook of Dust atBridge Theatre, London |
| Kudzai Mangombe forMalindadzimu atHampstead Theatre, London | ||
| Saba Shiraz forAn Adventure theOctagon Theatre, Bolton | ||
| Tommy Sim’aan forStarcrossed atWilton's Music Hall, London | ||
| Joe Usher forRock / Paper / Scissors atSheffield Theatres | ||
| Michael Workeye forHouse of Ife at theBush Theatre, London | ||
| Dewi Wykes forPetula atNational Theatre Wales | ||
| Best Performer in a Musical | Elijah Ferreira forHedwig and the Angry Inch atLeeds Playhouse | Hugh Coles forBack to the Future at theAdelphi Theatre, London |
| Ben Joyce forJersey Boys atTrafalgar Theatre, London | ||
| Bella Maclean forSpring Awakening at theAlmeida, London | ||
| Joe Pitts forSpring Awakening at theAlmeida, London | ||
| Best Director | Monique Touko forMalindadzimu atHampstead Theatre, London | Anthony Almeida forCat on a Hot Tin Roof at Curve, Leicester |
| Alice Fitzgerald forPurple Snowflakes and Titty Wanks at theRoyal Court, London | ||
| Best Designer | Rose Revitt (set and costume) forDr Korczak’s Example atLeeds Playhouse | Liam Bunster (set and costume) forThe Taming of the Shrew atShakespeare's Globe, London |
| Andrew Exeter (lighting) forHigh Fidelity at the Turbine Theatre, London | ||
| Best Composer or Lyricist | TK Hay (set and costume) forAn Adventure at theOctagon Theatre, Bolton | Caitlin Mawhinney (set and costume) forMy Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored/Teechers Leavers atLeeds Playhouse/Hull Truck |
| Liz Whitbread (set and costume) forFavour at theBush Theatre, London | ||
| Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer | John Patrick Elliott forCruise at theDuchess Theatre, London | Jordan Paul Clarke & Francesca Forristal forPublic Domain atVaudeville Theatre, London |
| Lauryn Redding forBloody Elle at the Royal Exchange, Manchester | ||
| Best Writer | Tyrell Williams forRed Pitch at theBush Theatre, London | Kemi-Bo Jacobs forAll White Everything But Me at the Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle |
| Eilidh Loan forMoorcroft at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow | ||
| Best West End Debut Performer | Jodie Comer forPrima Facie theHarold Pinter Theatre | Lizzie Annis forThe Glass Menagerie atDuke of York's Theatre |
| Emilia Clarke forThe Seagull theHarold Pinter Theatre | ||
| Hugh Coles forBack to the Future atAdelphi Theatre | ||
| Emma Corrin forAnna X theHarold Pinter Theatre | ||
| Sutton Foster forAnything Goes atthe Barbican | ||
| Hannah Jarrett-Scott forPride and Prejudice* (*sort of) at theCriterion | ||
| Ben Joyce forJersey Boys atTrafalgar Studios | ||
| Best Creative West End Debut | Julia Cheng (choreographer) forCabaret at thePlayhouse Theatre, London | Tacita Dean (designer) forThe Dante Project at theRoyal Opera House |
| Jack Holden (writer) forCruise at theDuchess Theatre | ||
| Yasmin Joseph (writer) forJ'Ouvert at theHarold Pinter Theatre | ||
| Isobel McArthur (writer) forPride and Prejudice* (*sort of) at theCriterion | ||
| Rebekah Murrell (director) forJ'Ouvert at theHarold Pinter Theatre |
| The Stage Debut Awards 2023[22] | Winner | Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| Best Performer in a Play | Elan Davies forImrie atSherman Theatre, Cardiff & Isobel Thom forI, Joan atShakespeare's Globe, London | Bukky Bakray forSleepova atBush Theatre, London |
| Rita Bernard-Shaw forTrouble in Butetown atDonmar Warehouse, London | ||
| Natalie Blair forSpring and Port Wine atOctagon Theatre, Bolton | ||
| Rhian Blundell forLet the Right One In atRoyal Exchange Theatre, Manchester | ||
| Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran forThe Importance of Being Earnest atLeeds Playhouse and touring | ||
| Daniel Rock forRichard The Second at Omnibus Theatre, London and touring | ||
| Best Performer in a Musical | Jessica Lee forMiss Saigon atCrucible Theatre, Sheffield | Liv Andrusier forRide atCharing Cross Theatre, London |
| Josh Barnett forNewsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London | ||
| Arcangelo Ciulla forNewsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London | ||
| Carla Dixon-Hernandez forMrs Doubtfire atShaftesbury Theatre, London | ||
| Drew Hylton forUnexpected Twist: An Oliver Twisted Tale atRoyal and Derngate, Northampton and touring | ||
| Maisie Smith forStrictly Ballroom,Churchill Theatre, Bromley and touring | ||
| Best Director | Emily Ling Williams forA Playlist for the Revolution atBush Theatre, London | Daniel Blake forBones atPark Theatre, London |
| Indiana Lown-Collins forThe Solid Life of Sugar Water atOrange Tree Theatre, London | ||
| Denzel Westley-Sanderson forThe Importance of Being Earnest at Leeds Playhouse and touring | ||
| Best Designer | Andrea Scott (video) forMy Neighbour Totoro atBarbican Theatre, London | Carly Brownbridge (set & costume) forAgatha atTheatre503, London |
| Peter Butler (set & costume) forThe Shape of Things atPark Theatre, London | ||
| Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer | Michael R Jackson forA Strange Loop atBarbican Theatre, London | Gerel Falconer forAlice in Wonderland at Brixton House, London |
| Jenny Moore forRobin Hood: The Legend. Re-written at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London | ||
| Lilly Pollard forSugar Coat at Southwark Playhouse, London | ||
| Best Writer | Anoushka Lucas forElephant atBush Theatre, London | Sasha Hails forPossession atArcola Theatre, London |
| Lenny Henry forAugust in England atBush Theatre, London | ||
| Jennifer Lunn forEs & Flo atWales Millennium Centre, Cardiff | ||
| Richard Mylan forSorter atSwansea Grand Theatre | ||
| Zak Zarafshan forThe Boys Are Kissing atTheatre503, London | ||
| Best West End Debut Performer | Rose Ayling-Ellis forAs You Like It at@sohoplace | Emily Fairn forBrokeback Mountain at@sohoplace |
| Mike Faist forBrokeback Mountain at@sohoplace | ||
| Kyle Ramar Freeman forA Strange Loop atBarbican Theatre | ||
| Gabriel Howell forThe Unfriend atCriterion Theatre | ||
| Paul Mescal forA Streetcar Named Desire atPhoenix Theatre | ||
| Zachary Quinto forBest of Enemies atNoël Coward Theatre | ||
| Samira Wiley forBlues for an Alabama Sky atThe National Theatre | ||
| Best Creative West End Debut | Tingying Dong (Sound Designer) forThe Crucible atNational Theatre andGielgud Theatre andRob Madge (Writer) forMy Son's a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) atGarrick Theatre andAmbassadors Theatre | Joe Bunker (Musical Director) forOperation Mincemeat atFortune Theatre |
| David Cumming, Felix Hagan,Natasha Hodgson andZoë Roberts (SpitLip) (Composer, Lyricist & Book Writer) forOperation Mincemeat atFortune Theatre | ||
| Michael R Jackson (Composer, Lyricist & Book Writer) forA Strange Loop atBarbican Theatre | ||
| Scott Le Crass (Director) forRose atAmbassadors Theatre |
| The Stage Debut Awards 2024[23] | Winner | Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| Best Performer in a Play | Ellie-May Sheridan forLondon Tide atNational Theatre, London | Deborah Ayorinde forWedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White atLyric Hammersmith, London |
| Imogen Elliott forThe Voice of the Turtle atJermyn Street Theatre, London | ||
| Kasper Hilton-Hille forThat Face atOrange Tree Theatre, London | ||
| Gareth John forHousemates atSherman Theatre, Cardiff | ||
| Louis McCartney forStranger Things: The First Shadow atPhoenix Theatre, London | ||
| Nadia Parkes forThe House Party atChichester Festival Theatre, Chichester | ||
| Taylor Russell forThe Effect atNational Theatre, London | ||
| Best Performer in a Musical | Jeevan Braich forStarlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London | Scarlett Ayers forThe Vergeof Forever atThe Other Palace, London |
| Laura Dawkes forFrozenatTheatre Royal Drury Lane, London | ||
| Myles Frost forMJ the Musical atPrince Edward Theatre, London | ||
| Joshua Ginsberg forCable Street at Southwark Playhouse Borough, London | ||
| Grace Hodgett Young forSunset Boulevard atSavoy Theatre, London | ||
| Best Director | Sophie Drake forThe Bleeding Tree at Southwark Playhouse Borough, London | Emily Foran forLittle Women atLyric Theatre, Belfast |
| Ellie Coote for42 Balloons byThe Lowry, Salford | ||
| Best Designer | Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom forSunset Boulevard atSavoy Theatre, London | Ellie Koslowsky forVegetables in London |
| Nadya Sayapina, Anastasiya Ryabova, Lidiia Dresch-Pyshna and Dmytro Guk forKing Stakh’s Wild Hunt at Barbican Theatre, London | ||
| Skylar Turnbull Hurd forThese Demons at Theatre503, London | ||
| Best Writer | Azuka Oforka forThe Women of Llanrumney atSherman Theatre, Cardiff Sam Grabiner forBoys on the Verge of Tears bySoho Theatre, London | Martha Loader forBindweed atMercury Theatre, Colchester |
| Harry McDonald forFoam atFinborough Theatre, London | ||
| Hannah Morley forWe Could All Be Perfect atSheffield Theatres, Sheffield | ||
| Anastasia Osei-Kuffour forLove Steps at Omnibus Theatre, London | ||
| Best Composer,Lyricist or Book Writer | Jack Godfrey for42 Balloons atThe Lowry, Salford | Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab forThe Enormous Crocodile atLeeds Playhouse, Leeds |
| Nick Butcher and Tom Ling forThe Little Big Things at@sohoplace, London | ||
| Elvis Costello forCold War atAlmeida Theatre, London | ||
| Best West End Debut Performer | Jack Wolfe forNext to Normal atWyndham’s Theatre, London | Francesca Amewudah-Rivers forRomeo and Juliet atDuke of York’s Theatre, London |
| Will Close forDear England atNational Theatre, London | ||
| Billy Crudup forHarry Clarke atAmbassadors Theatre, London | ||
| Grace Hodgett Young forSunset Boulevard atSavoy Theatre, London | ||
| Toheeb Jimoh forPlayer Kings atNoël Coward Theatre | ||
| Ed Larkin forThe Little Big Things at@sohoplace, London | ||
| Louis McCartney forStranger Things: The First Shadow atPhoenix Theatre, London | ||
| Best Creative West End Debut | Daniel Bailey forRed Pitch at@sohoplace | Jim Barne and Kit Buchan forTwo Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) atCriterion Theatre |
| Marcelo Dos Santos forBackstairs Billy atDuke of York’s Theatre | ||
| Kip Williams forThe Picture of Dorian Gray atTheatre Royal Haymarket | ||
| Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt forNext to Normal atWyndham’s Theatre |
| The Stage Debut Awards 2025[23] | Winner | Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| Best Performer in a Play | Hilson Agbangbe inWonder Boy atBristol Old Vic Lucy Karczewski forStereophonic atDuke of York’s Theatre, London | Paula Clarke forThe Tragedy of Richard III atLyric Theatre, Belfast |
| Joseph Edwards forThe Red Shoes atSwan Theatre,Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-Upon-Avon | ||
| Eva Morgan forThe Glass Menagerie atYard Theatre, London | ||
| Christopher Neenan forBlood Wedding at Omnibus Theatre, London | ||
| Daisy Sequerra forBallet Shoes atNational Theatre, London | ||
| Jasper Talbot for Redlands atChichester Festival Theatre | ||
| Best Performer in a Musical | Leesa Tulley forWhy Am I So Single? atGarrick Theatre, London | Megan Ellis forMuriel’s Wedding the Musical atCurve, Leicester |
| Dora Gee forThe Mad Ones atThe Other Palace, London | ||
| Eve Shanu-Wilson forThe Phantom of the Opera atHis Majesty’s Theatre, London | ||
| Best Director | Richard Mylan for Mumfighter atSwansea Grand Theatre | Aditya Chopra forCome Fall in Love atOpera House, Manchester |
| Nathan Crossan-Smith forThe Walrus Has a Right to Adventure atLiverpool Everyman | ||
| Adam Karim forGuards at the Taj atOrange Tree Theatre, London | ||
| Emily Susanne Lloyd for The Mad Ones atThe Other Palace, London | ||
| Best Designer | Hannah Schmidt forThe Passenger /Personal Values atFinborough Theatre /Hampstead Theatre, London | Juliette Demoulin for various atFinborough Theatre, London |
| Adam Jefferys forCommunion atBush Theatre, London | ||
| Chloe Wyn forThe Walrus Has a Right to Adventure atLiverpool Everyman | ||
| Best Writer | Ava Pickett for1536 at Almeida Theatre, London Milly Sweeney forWater Colour atPitlochry Festival Theatre andByre Theatre, St Andrews | Sarah Bond forSeagulls and Sad, Sad Stories at Laurels,Whitley Bay |
| Nathan Englander forWhat We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank at Marylebone Theatre, London | ||
| Danny James King forMiss Myrtle’s Garden atBush Theatre, London | ||
| Saana Sze forBelly of the Beast atFinborough Theatre, London | ||
| Nancy Netherwood forRadiant Boy: A Haunting atSouthwark Playhouse, London | ||
| Best Composer,Lyricist or Book Writer | Yve Blake forFangirls atLyric Hammersmith, London | Bryn Christopher, James Cooper, Martin Batchelar forLovestuck atTheatre Royal Stratford East, London |
| Nicola and Rosie Dempsey forOne Man Musical by Flo & Joan at Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh | ||
| Best West End Debut Performer | Rachel Zegler forEvita atLondon Palladium | Heather Agyepong forShifters atDuke of York’s Theatre |
| Samuel Brewer forOedipus atWyndham’s Theatre | ||
| Georgie Buckland forThe Devil Wears Prada atDominion Theatre | ||
| Tosin Cole forShifters atDuke of York’s Theatre | ||
| Emma Flynn forClueless the Musical atTrafalgar Theatre | ||
| Diego Andres Rodriguez forEvita atLondon Palladium | ||
| Kat Ronney forTitanique atCriterion Theatre | ||
| Best Creative West End Debut | Mark Rosenblatt forGiant atHarold Pinter Theatre | Eline Arbo forThe Years atHarold Pinter Theatre |
| Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli forTitanique atCriterion Theatre | ||
| Darren Clark, Jethro Compton forThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button atAmbassadors Theatre | ||
| Justin Craig forStereophonic atDuke of York’s Theatre | ||
| Benedict Lombe forShifters atDuke of York’s Theatre | ||
| Amit Sharma forRetrograde atApollo Theatre |