The Stage Debut Awards
September 27, 2020
19:00 - 21:00
Online event
The Stage Debut Awards, in association with Access Entertainment, are the only awards to recognise breakthrough theatre talent. They celebrate emerging actors and creatives, from all backgrounds.
Lockdown can’t stop us from championing emerging talent: join us online to celebrate and support theatremakers who are starting out in theatre during these difficult times.
The Stage Debut Awards are the only awards to recognise breakthrough theatre talent.
This year, we are excited to host everyone at our prestigious awards ceremony with a free online event on Sunday, September 27 at 7pm. The awards will be streamed here on The Stage website and Facebook page. So, wherever you are in the world, we invite you all to join us as we recognise an outstanding selection of professional debuts.
Watch the ceremony online for free
Show your favourite performers, theatres and productions some love and register your interest to watch the ceremony online for free here.
On Facebook? Join our event for all the latest updates: www.facebook.com/events/373563850298864/
Check out the highlights from last year:
Awards Step
Categories
Best Performer in a Play
sponsored by Audible
Best Performer in a Musical
Best Director
sponsored by Smith & Williamson
Best Designer
sponsored by Robe Lighting
Best Composer or Lyricist
Best Writer
Best West End Debut Performer
sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment
Best Creative West End Debut
sponsored by the Noël Coward Foundation
Video
I love The Stage Debut Awards. It feels both genuinely celebratory and useful to recognise people’s talent at the start of their careers. There are plenty of awards which heap praise on the already successful, but The Stage Debut Awards are unique in giving a helping hand to those joining the profession. It has been a privilege to be part of the team helping to select the winners
Lyn Gardner, Associate Editor
Get Involved
Be in the room with us
Join us as we celebrate emerging talent and watch The Stage Debut Awards ceremony online for free on Sunday, September 27. Register your interest to make sure you receive all the latest updates here.
Champion
Share #DebutAwards on social media. If you have ideas on how you could support and help promote The Stage Debut Awards we would love to hear from you.
Sponsor
Gain vital exposure for your business and help support emerging talent by sponsoring a category.
Email: debuts@thestage.co.uk
Call: 020 7939 8468
#Debutawards
The Stage Debut Awards is back!
The Stage Debut Awards in association with Access Entertainment will return in September 2020 as a virtual ceremony. Read the full article here.
The Stage Debut Awards 2019 winners
Winners were announced at The Brewery in London on September 15, 2019, with host Cush Jumbo. Read the full article here.
The Stage Debut Awards 2018 winners
Among the winners of this year’s awards were Poldark’s Aidan Turner who won the Joe Allen Best West End Debut Award. Read the full article here.
The Stage Debut Awards 2017 winners
Hosted by actor Ben Forster, the inaugural The Stage Debut Awards were presented at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London. Read the full article here.
The Stage Debut Awards Headline Sponsor View All
The Stage Debut Awards Sponsors
The Stage Debut Awards Headline Sponsor
The Stage Debut Awards Sponsors
Eligibility
The Stage Debut Awards, in association with Access Entertainment, celebrate debut performers and creatives across a range of categories.
Definition of debut: first professional appearance in a named role in a production reviewed by The Stage (previous appearances in ensemble roles or as an understudy do not disqualify you from consideration).
Eligibility
To be eligible for The Stage Debut Awards 2020 you must meet the following conditions:
- Nominees for all categories must be 16 years old or over.
- Nominees’ debuts must have been reviewed by The Stage.
- Child actors who have since become 16 years old or over are eligible for their first eligible debut as an adult.
- Nominees must have made their debuts in the UK.
- Debuts in shows during Edinburgh Festival Fringe will not be considered for these awards, but are eligible for The Stage Edinburgh Awards. Prior appearances at Edinburgh Fringe do not disqualify you from eligibility for The Stage Debut Awards.
- Actors and creatives who have previously worked in other media, e.g. TV and film, are eligible.
- Nominees can be of any nationality.
- The Best West End Debut category covers all West End performance debuts. West End is defined as SOLT theatres.
- The Best Creative West End Debut category covers composers, lyricists, writers, directors and designers. West End is defined as SOLT theatres.
- Anyone who has made a debut and is performing on stage between August 1, 2019 and July 31, 2020 can be nominated.
- For any queries on eligibility please contact The Stage reviews editor, natasha[@]thestage.co.uk.
The Stage’s decision is final.
Judging Process
1. The Stage Critics
The Stage’s nationwide network of reviewers will identify actors and creatives making their debuts and put forward recommendations. People making their debut, agents and the general public can also nominate.
2. Expert Advisors
Representatives from across the UK are sent the critics’ longlist and asked for their input.
Final decisions on both the shortlist and winners will be taken by our judging panel.
3. Judging Panel
Baz Bamigboye
Tim Bano
Lyn Gardner
Sam Marlowe
Bridget Minamore
Alistair Smith
Natasha Tripney
The judging panel will assess all categories and provide a shortlist. They will decide a winner in all categories except the Best West End Debut Award.
4. The Public Vote
The Best West End Debut shortlist will be decided by the judging panel. The shortlist will then be put to an online public vote from August 13.
Shortlist announced August 13
The shortlist for The Stage Debut Awards, in association with Access Entertainment will be announced on Thursday, August 13.
Public voting for the Best West End Debut Performer award will run online from August 13 - 26.
Previous winners
The Stage Debut Awards winners
Nominees and winners 2019
Best Actress in a Play
Sponsored by Audible
WINNER: Lauren O’Leary for The Awkward Years at the Other Room, Cardiff
Also shortlisted:
Liv Hill for Top Girls at the National Theatre, London
Urielle Klein-Mekongo for Yvette at the Bush Theatre, London
Bea Webster for Mother Courage at the Albion Electric Warehouse, Leeds
Best Actor in a Play
Sponsored by Audible
WINNER: Jamal Ajala for Ear for Eye at the Royal Court, London
Also shortlisted:
Stuart Campbell for The Hunt at the Almeida Theatre, London
Patrick Gibson for Sweat at the Donmar Warehouse and Gielgud Theatre, London
Ivan Oyik for Blue/Orange at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham
Best Actress in a Musical
Sponsored by Really Useful Group
WINNER: Danielle Fiamanya for The Color Purple at Curve, Leicester and Birmingham Hippodrome
Also shortlisted:
Georgina Ambrey for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at the Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
Maiya Quansah-Breed for Six at the Arts Theatre, London
Jarneia Richard-Noel for Six at the Arts Theatre, London
Best Actor in a Musical
Sponsored by Encore Radio
WINNER: Adam Hugill for Standing at the Sky’s Edge at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Also shortlisted:
Ryan Hutton for Only Fools and Horses the Musical at Theatre Royal Haymarket, London
Jac Yarrow for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium, London
Best Director
Sponsored by Smith & Williamson
WINNER: Atri Banerjee for Hobson’s Choice at the Royal Exchange, Manchester
Also shortlisted:
Tyrone Huntley for Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester
Jade Lewis for Superhoe at the Royal Court, London
Tom Scutt for Berberian Sound Studio at the Donmar Warehouse, London
Best Designer
Sponsored by Robe Lighting
WINNER: Evie Gurney for Antony and Cleopatra at the National Theatre, London, and The Hunt at the Almeida Theatre, London
Also shortlisted:
Abby Clarke for Beauty and the Beast at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
Maxwell Nicholson-Lailey for Huddle at the Unicorn Theatre, London
Best Composer or Lyricist
Sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment Group
WINNER: David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoe Roberts for Operation Mincemeat at the New Diorama Theatre, London
Also shortlisted:
Oran Eldor and Marcus Stevens for Mythic the Musical at the Charing Cross Theatre, London
Anaïs Mitchell for Hadestown at the National Theatre, London
Femi Temowo for Death of a Salesman at the Young Vic, London
Best Writer
Sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions
WINNER: Jasmine Lee-Jones for Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner at the Royal Court, London
Also shortlisted:
Nicôle Lecky for Superhoe at the Royal Court, London
Holly Robinson for Soft Animals at Soho Theatre, London
Ross Willis for Wolfie at Theatre503, London
The Joe Allen Best West End Debut
WINNER: Jac Yarrow for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium
Also shortlisted:
Matthew Broderick for The Starry Messenger at Wyndham’s Theatre
Andrew Burnap for The Inheritance at the Noël Coward Theatre
Nathanael Campbell for Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre
Saffron Coomber for Emilia at the Vaudeville Theatre
Sarah Gordy for Jellyfish at the National Theatre
Ryan Hutton for Only Fools and Horses the Musical at the Theatre Royal Haymarket
Samuel H Levine for The Inheritance at the Noël Coward Theatre
Pericles community cast for Pericles at the National Theatre
Christie Prades for On Your Feet at the London Coliseum
Best Creative West End Debut
Sponsored by Noël Coward Foundation
WINNER: Frankie Bradshaw (designer) and Lynette Linton (director) for Sweat at Donmar Warehouse and the Gielgud Theatre
Also shortlisted:
Arinzé Kene for Misty at Trafalgar Studios
Matthew Lopez for The Inheritance at the Noël Coward Theatre
Morgan Lloyd Malcolm for Emilia at the Vaudeville Theatre
Irene Sankoff and David Hein for Come from Away at the Phoenix Theatre
Child Performer of the Year
Sponsored by Stagecoach
WINNER: Taya Tower for The Hunt at the Almeida Theatre, London
Also shortlisted:
Caelan Edie for The Bodyguard at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow and tour
Jack Meredith for Caroline, Or Change at the Playhouse Theatre, London
Clara Read for The Wild Duck at the Almeida Theatre, London
Nominees and winners 2018
Best Actress in a Play
Sponsored by Audible
WINNER: Gemma Dobson for Rita, Sue and Bob Too at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Also shortlisted:
Kitty Archer for One for Sorrow at the Royal Court, London
Lorna Fitzgerald for The Shadow Factory at NST City, Southampton
Grainne O’Mahony for The Elephant Man at Bristol Old Vic Theatre
Best Actor in a Play
Sponsored by Audible
WINNER: Akshay Sharan for The Reluctant Fundamentalist at the Yard Theatre, London
Also shortlisted:
Seb Carrington for Summer and Smoke at the Almeida Theatre, London
Chris Walley for The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Noel Coward Theatre, London
Alex Wilson for The Elephant Man at Bristol Old Vic Theatre
Best Actress in a Musical
Sponsored by R&H Theatricals Europe
WINNER: Amara Okereke for Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre, London
Also shortlisted:
Teleri Hughes for Spring Awakening at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
Eleanor Kane for Fun Home at the Young Vic, London
Rebecca Mendoza for Hairspray, on tour
Best Actor in a Musical
Sponsored by Encore Radio
WINNER: Louis Gaunt for Oklahoma! at Grange Park Opera, West Horsley
Also shortlisted:
Will Carey for It’s Only Life at the Union Theatre, London
Toby Miles for Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre, London
Simon Oskarsson for Return to the Forbidden Planet at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London
Best Designer
Sponsored by Robe Lighting
WINNER: Khadija Raza for Hijabi Monologues, Spun, and Mixtape, at the Bush Theatre, London, the Arcola Theatre, London and the Royal Exchange, Manchester
Also shortlisted:
Basia Binkowska for Devil with the Blue Dress at the Bunker Theatre, London
Fin Redshaw for Pieces of String and Love Me Now at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester and the Tristan Bates Theatre, London
Jasmine Swan for Hyem, The Passing of the Third Floor Back, Hanna and The Sleeper at Theatre503, London, the Finborough Theatre, London, the Arcola Theatre, London
Best Director
Sponsored by Smith & Williamson
WINNER: Katy Rudd for The Almighty Sometimes at the Royal Exchange, Manchester
Also shortlisted:
Iwan Lewis for One Minute at the Barn Theatre, Cirencester
Alexandra Moxon for Wreck at Nottingham Playhouse
Oscar Pearce for Great Apes at the Arcola Theatre, London
Best Composer or Lyricist
Sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment Group
WINNER: Gus Gowland for Pieces of String at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester
Also shortlisted:
Kate Marlais for Abandon at the Lyric Hammersmith, London
Matt Winkworth for The Assassination of Katie Hopkins at Theatr Clwyd, Mold
Best Writer
Sponsored by InterTalent Rights Group
WINNER: Andrew Thompson for In Event of Moone Disaster at Theatre503, London
Also shortlisted:
Georgia Christou for Yous Two at Hampstead Theatre, London
Kendall Feaver for The Almighty Sometimes at the Royal Exchange, Manchester
Natasha Gordon for Nine Night at the National Theatre, London
Joe White for Mayfly at the Orange Tree Theatre, London
The Joe Allen Best West End Debut
WINNER: Aidan Turner for The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Noel Coward Theatre
Mohammad Amiri for The Jungle at the Playhouse Theatre
Ashley Banjo for Dick Whittington at the London Palladium
Bryan Cranston for Network at the National Theatre
Michelle Greenidge for Nine Night at the National Theatre
John McCrea for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre
Kelli O’Hara for The King and I at the London Palladium
Joe Robertson and Joe Murphy for The Jungle at the Playhouse Theatre
Lucie Shorthouse for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre
Adrienne Warren for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre
Nominees and winners 2017
Best Actress in a Play
Sponsored by Pauline Quirke Academy
WINNER: Grace Moloney for The Country Girls at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester
Anya Chalotra for Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare’s Globe, London
Kellan Frankland for The House of Bernarda Alba at the Royal Exchange, Manchester
Jess Peet for Alice in Wonderland at the Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
Best Actor in a Play
WINNER: Abraham Popoola for Othello at Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol
Jack Archer for Nivelli’s War at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast
TJ Jones for The Seven Acts of Mercy at the Swan Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company
Kenneth Omole for Assata Taught Me at the Gate Theatre, London
Best Actress in a Musical
Sponsored by The Other Palace
WINNER: Miriam-Teak Lee for On the Town at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London
Chloe Carrington for Hair at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
Emily Hughes for Fiddler on the Roof at Everyman Theatre, Liverpool
Siena Kelly for On the Town at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London
Best Actor in a Musical
Sponsored by Encore Radio
WINNER: Samuel Thomas for Allegro at Southwark Playhouse, London
Adam J Bernard for Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre, London
Ben Hunter for The Girls at the Phoenix Theatre, London
Daniel Urch for 110 in the Shade at Ye Olde Rose and Crown, London
Best Composer
Sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment Group
WINNER: Dan Gillespie Sells for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Jonah Brody for Removal Men and This Beautiful Future at the Yard, London
Ruth Chan for Snow in Midsummer at the Swan Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon
MJ Harding for Removal Men at the Yard, London
Stephen Jackson for Roller Diner at the Soho Theatre, London
Best Director
Sponsored by See Tickets
WINNER: Lekan Lawal for Betrayal at Derby Theatre, Derby
Sean Aydon for Richard III at the Rosemary Branch, London
Alexander Lass for 46 Beacon at Trafalgar Studios 2, London
Lynette Linton for Assata Taught Me at the Gate Theatre, London
Best Designer
Sponsored by Robe Lighting
WINNER: Rosie Elnile for The Convert at the Gate Theatre, London
Joshua Gadsby for Dreamplay at the Vaults, London and Still Ill at the New Diorama, London
Simon Spencer for The Tempest at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon
Jessica Staton for Extra Yarn at the Orange Tree Theatre, London
Best Writer
WINNER: Katherine Soper for Wish List at the Royal Exchange, Manchester, and Royal Court Theatre, London
Titas Halder for Run the Beast Down at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury and Finborough Theatre, London
Asif Khan for Combustion at Tara Arts, London
Victoria Willing for Spring Offensive at the Clapham Omnibus, London
The Joe Allen Best West End Debut
WINNER: Andrew Polec for Bat Out of Hell at the London Coliseum
John Boyega for Woyzeck at the Old Vic
Anthony Boyle for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre
Andy Karl for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic
Audra McDonald for Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill at Wyndhams Theatre
Imogen Poots for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Harold Pinter Theatre
Amber Riley for Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre
Charlie Stemp for Half a Sixpence at the Noel Coward Theatre
About our sponsors
The Stage Debut Awards, in association with Access Entertainment, could not happen without the generous support from our sponsors
If you are interested in being a sponsor in 2020 please get in touch or take a look at the sponsorship packages here
Access Entertainment
headline sponsor
Launched in 2016, Access Entertainment is a division of Sir Leonard Blavatnik's Access Industries, focused on investments across the entertainment sector with a concentration in premium-quality theatre, television, feature films and digital content. It is led by Danny Cohen, the former Director of BBC Television. In 2018 Access Entertainment acquired the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Access has invested many millions in theatre around the world including the award-winning Hamilton, Tom Stoppard's Leopoldstadt, Emilia, To Kill A Mockingbird and School of Rock. Other investments span television production companies, independent film and online content creators.
Audible
sponsor of Best Actress in a Play and Best Actor in a Play
Audible is a listening destination that offers insight and inspiration to millions of listeners and is the world’s leading audio and spoken-word media service. Audible’s theatre initiative delivers language-driven storytelling and captivating performances on stage and in audio. In New York, Audible has produced Harry Clarke by David Cale starring Billy Crudup, Girls & Boys by Dennis Kelly starring Carey Mulligan, Patti Smith: Words and Music, and many others. In audio, Audible has produced True West starring Kit Harington and Johnny Flynn, The Diary of a Hounslow Girl and Iphigenia in Splott. In 2017, Audible launched a five million-dollar Emerging Playwrights Fund that identifies, nurtures and invests in emerging playwrights, making their works available to millions of listeners around the world. Proof of Love is the inaugural stage production from the Emerging Playwrights Fund.
Smith & Williamson
sponsor of Best Director
Smith & Williamson is uniquely placed in the theatre industry to offer tax, accounting, financial planning and investment management services to both private individuals and corporates. In addition to being a Top 10 Accountancy practice*, our investment management business has around £19.4bn of funds under management and advice**. We understand that being in the world of theatre your day-to-day focus is on what you are passionate about, your work. However, it is essential that your financial affairs are well managed and arranged to your greatest advantage. The value of investments can go down as well as up and investors may not receive back the original amount invested. Smith & Williamson LLP regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for a range of investment business activities. A member of Nexia International. Smith & Williamson Investment Management LLP authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate all services referred to in this document. © Smith & Williamson Holdings Limited 2020. *Accountancy Age 2019 and **Smith & Williamson Investment Management as at 31/03/20.
Trafalgar Entertainment
sponsor of Best West End Debut (Performer)
Trafalgar Entertainment is a live entertainment business and home to Trafalgar Studios, Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Trafalgar Releasing (formerly Picturehouse Entertainment) and Stagecoach Performing Arts. It is the latest venture from Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire OBE – two of the most influential entertainment entrepreneurs of the last 20 years. The production arm of the company, Trafalgar Theatre Productions, is producing a group of new shows and classic musicals in London and internationally. Trafalgar Entertainment has a particular interest in nurturing new creative talent and is delighted to be supporting this event.
Robe Lighting
sponsor of Best Designer
Robe Lighting is based in the Czech Republic and manufactures innovative stage lighting products for the entertainment industry. Now established at the top of the touring market, in recent years they have turned their attention to products specifically for theatre. Incorporating detailed feedback from lighting designers and operators across the sector, their flagship DL4 and DL7 series LED luminaires are now regularly specified across the world. The company continues to focus on designing and producing well-engineered products in Europe to meet the creative, technical and practical demands of a wide range of users. Sales, training and service is provided through offices in the UK, US, France, Germany, Singapore and Dubai and a network of dealers in 76 countries.
Noël Coward Foundation
sponsor of the Best Creative West End Debut
One hundred years ago, Noёl Coward debuted as a playwright in the West End at the age of twenty, and was hailed as a significant new talent. Throughout his life, Coward took an interest in and mentored up-and-coming artists across the industry, so to mark this centenary The Noёl Coward Foundation is celebrating today’s emerging theatre-makers by sponsoring this award in his name.
The Noël Coward Foundation was set up in 2000 and awards grants to education and development projects across the Arts while also continues the keen interest Coward himself took in charitable work during his lifetime. The Foundation is proud to support a diverse range of outstanding organisations working in theatre, music, playwriting, academic research and many other areas.
