The Stage 100
January 07, 2021
09:00 - 10:00
Online
The Stage 100, the definitive guide to the most influential figures working in the UK theatre and performing arts industry today.
The Stage 100 traditionally reflects the 100 most influential people working in the theatre and performing arts industry.
For 2021, the list has been re-imagined to celebrate individuals who have gone above and beyond in helping theatre survive the biggest crisis the industry has ever faced. This year’s list is not ranked by order of power or influence, but is instead divided into five areas. These areas represent the ways in which theatre has responded to the Coronavirus pandemic. The five areas are: Putting on Shows, Lobbying and Campaigning, Fundraising, Serving the Community and Support and Development.
Eagle-eyed readers will notice that this year’s 100 features only 99 entries. That is not an administrative oversight but is intended to indicate that we consider this year’s list to be incomplete. We make no claims that this list is definitive. The truth is that we could have filled the 100 many times over. The people we have chosen should absolutely be celebrated in their own right – they have done extraordinary things – but they should also be seen as representative of the huge numbers of other people doing great work in the face of adversity during 2020.
Awards Step
Timeline
November 10, 2020
Public nominations for The Stage 100 open
November 27, 2020
Nominations close for The Stage 100
End of November 2020
The Stage’s judging panel meets
January 7, 2021
The Stage 100 list is announced
"“It’s been a joyful year taking my show to eighty-seven theatres up and down the country...I thank The Stage for putting me at the top of their list for 2020, an honour I share with the brilliant production team from ATG.”
Sir Ian McKellen
Get Involved
Nominate
Public nominations for The Stage 100 ran online from November 10 - 27.
Share The Stage 100 on social media
Share your reactions on social media with #TheStage100 and tag The Stage @TheStage.
Sponsor
Gain vital exposure for your business and help celebrate the best in the theatre industry by sponsoring The Stage 100. Contact simon@thestage.co.uk on 020 7939 8488
Press Enquiries
For all media enquiries please contact rachel.pottle@thestage.co.uk
The Stage 100: Celebrating theatre’s exceptional figures in a year like no other
This year’s edition of The Stage 100 recognises those who have gone above and beyond in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. Read the article in full here.
The Stage 100 2020: The full list
Figures featured in the 2020 power list include Sonia Friedman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cameron Mackintosh and Maggie Smith. Read the article in full here.
The Stage 100 2020: Ian McKellen first actor to be named theatre's most influential figure
Ian McKellen tops 2020 power list for extraordinary nationwide tour, raising more than £4 million towards arts projects across the country. Read the article in full here.
The Stage 100 2019: Theatre architect Steve Tompkins tops list of industry's most influential
Tompkins tops the list for “literally and physically transforming British theatre” through his buildings. Read the article in full here.
Eligibility
The Stage 100 list is announced on the first Thursday in January every year.
While the judging panel and a body of industry experts will be free to recognise any/all individuals working within theatre and performing arts organisations, subscribers to The Stage are invited to put forward themselves, their colleagues or other industry professionals they admire for consideration.
When does the public nomination process happen?
Nominations ran online from November 10 - 27.
Is there a fee to enter?
There is no fee to nominate an individual for The Stage 100, however you must be a subscriber to The Stage to participate. To become a subscriber simply take out a subscription here. Personal subscriptions start from £3.98 a month, or get access for your entire organisation for a whole year for the discounted price of £500. Simply contact subscriptions@thestage.co.uk for more information.
What are the judging criteria?
The Stage 100 traditionally reflects the 100 most influential people working in the theatre and performing arts industry. This year, we are focusing on the members of the theatre community who have enabled theatre to survive, in response to the biggest crisis the industry has ever faced.
Inclusion within the list and ranking is weighted towards achievements in the past 12 months, but also takes into account continuous achievement. The aim of the list is to reflect the astonishing breadth of the theatre industry. However, we do not weight the list in an attempt to make it gender-balanced or ethnically diverse: the list reflects the way the theatre and performing arts industry is, not what it aims to be, or what we would like it to be.
What is the judging process?
Following the public nominations process, figures are considered at the end of November by The Stage’s judging panel, which can also submit its own nominations. The Stage 100 list will be announced online on January 6, and in The Stage newspaper on January 7.
How can my nomination be used?
It is a condition of entry that all material submitted as part of your entry can be reproduced by The Stage Media Company at no cost.
What if I disagree with the result?
The judging panel’s decision is final.
How we choose our individuals for The Stage 100
Stage one In November, we hold an open nominations process. Individuals are able to put themselves, or others, forward for consideration.
Stage two We ask leading figures from the UK theatre industry, working across the commercial, independent and subsidised sectors, who they would nominate. We also consult senior figures from The Stage’s editorial team.
Stage three The final judging panel meet to consider all the submissions and compile The Stage 100 list. The panel is chaired by The Stage’s editor Alistair Smith.
If you have any other questions about The Stage 100 or nomination process please contact rachel.pottle@thestage.co.uk
