The Stage 100 Awards 2012

Please note nominations for The Stage 100 Awards have now closed.

About The Stage 100 Awards

The Stage 100 Awards were given out for the first time in 2011. They are held on an annual basis and are run in conjunction with The Stage 100, the paper’s yearly analysis of the most influential movers and shakers in the industry. However, while The Stage 100 recognises the achievements of high-profile individuals over the previous 12 months, The Stage 100 Awards endorses performing arts organisations and the teams behind them.

This year, there is also a new award for the year’s Unsung Hero – an individual whose contribution has been crucial to an organisation’s ongoing success, but who might otherwise be overlooked.

Nominations process

This year, we are asking for your input at the early stages of the nominations process. Organisations can put themselves forward, or you can nominate another organisation you admire. The Unsung Hero Award is the only category that should not be self-nominated.

When telling us why you are nominating an organization or individual, you should try to back up any assertions with detailed figures. So, for example, if you are talking about a theatre increasing its audience numbers, please included the level from and to. Or, if you are nominating a school, you might like to include its Ofsted results, or examples of the success of its alumni.

The artistic success of an organisation is of course taken into account – you might like to back this up with other awards, or reviews – but it is not the sole factor upon which judgments will be made. Examples of innovative business practices, outreach work, financial success – among many other factors – will also be taken into account.

Public nominations will close on Sunday December 4.

Following this, The Stage 100 Awards judging panel, chaired by deputy editor Alistair Smith, will meet. Nominations will be drawn from the public process and added to the judges’ own nominations and the winners will be chosen by the panel and announced in the Stage 100 issue of The Stage on January 5.

Categories

London Theatre of the Year

The top theatre in the capital over the last 12 months. Any venue with a London postcode is eligible. Judged on criteria including (but not limited to) artistic quality, business success, innovation.

Last year’s winner: Royal Court Theatre

Regional Theatre of the Year

As above, but for venues from across the UK without a London postcode. Theatres in the UK’s nations are also eligible.

Last year’s winner: Northampton Royal and Derngate

Fringe Theatre of the Year

As above, but for small-scale theatres across the UK that don’t receive core government funding. Judged on criteria including (but not limited to) artistic quality, business success, innovation etc

Last year’s winner: Finborough Theatre in London

Producer of the Year

Any producer or production-company – of any scale, subsidised or commercial – is eligible. Judged on criteria including (but not limited to) artistic quality, business success, innovation etc

Last year’s winner: English Touring Theatre

School of the Year

Stage schools, drama schools or any organisation offering performing arts education is eligible. This covers all age ranges and education levels from stage schools for young children to degree and post-graduate education. Judged on criteria including (but not limited to) exam results, Ofsted reports, ISI reports, alumni success.

Last year’s winner: Sylvia Young Theatre School

Unsung Hero Award New this year

An individual or team who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their work in the performing arts industry. Perhaps this could be someone working front of house or as an usher, or someone who has run a theatre club or society for years without public recognition. High profile figures who feature or have featured previously in The Stage 100 are unlikely to be considered.