Nominees for The Stage Debut Awards 2023

The Stage Debut Awards in association with ATG are the only awards dedicated to recognising breakthrough theatre talent. This year’s ceremony takes place on October 1 in London.

Best performer in a play
Sponsored by Cabbells

Bukky Bakray
Sleepova, Bush Theatre, London

Rita Bernard-Shaw
Trouble in Butetown, Donmar Warehouse, London

Natalie Blair
Spring and Port Wine, Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Rhian Blundell
Let the Right One In, Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

Elan Davies
Imrie, Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran
The Importance of Being Earnest, Leeds Playhouse and touring

Daniel Rock
Richard The Second, Omnibus Theatre, London and touring

Isobel Thom
I, Joan, Shakespeare’s Globe, London

Best performer in a musical
Sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line

Liv Andrusier
Ride, Charing Cross Theatre, London

Josh Barnett
Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London

Arcangelo Ciulla
Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London

Carla Dixon-Hernandez
Mrs Doubtfire, Shaftesbury Theatre, London

Drew Hylton
Unexpected Twist: An Oliver Twisted Tale, Royal and Derngate, Northampton and touring

Jessica Lee
Miss Saigon, Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

Maisie Smith
Strictly Ballroom the Musical, Churchill Theatre, Bromley and touring

Best director
Sponsored by Arts Council England

Daniel Blake
Bones, Park Theatre, London

Indiana Lown-Collins
The Solid Life of Sugar Water, Orange Tree Theatre, London

Denzel Westley-Sanderson
The Importance of Being Earnest, Leeds Playhouse and touring

Emily Ling Williams
A Playlist for the Revolution, Bush Theatre, London

Best designer
Sponsored by Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL

Carly Brownbridge
Set & Costume for Agatha, Theatre503, London

Peter Butler
Set & Costume for The Shape of Things, Park Theatre, London

Andrea Scott
Video for My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre, London

Best writer
Sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions

Sasha Hails
Possession, Arcola Theatre, London

Lenny Henry
August in England, Bush Theatre, London

Anoushka Lucas
Elephant, Bush Theatre, London

Jennifer Lunn
Es & Flo, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Richard Mylan
Sorter, Swansea Grand Theatre

Zak Zarafshan
The Boys Are Kissing, Theatre503, London

Best composer, lyricist or book writer
sponsored by Crossroads Live

Gerel Falconer
Alice in Wonderland, Brixton House, London

Michael R Jackson
A Strange Loop, Barbican Theatre, London

Jenny Moore
Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London

Lilly Pollard
Sugar Coat, Southwark Playhouse, London

Best West End debut performer

Rose Ayling-Ellis
As You Like It @sohoplace

Emily Fairn
Brokeback Mountain @sohoplace

Mike Faist
Brokeback Mountain @sohoplace

Kyle Ramar Freeman
A Strange Loop, Barbican Theatre

Gabriel Howell
The Unfriend, Criterion Theatre

Paul Mescal
A Streetcar Named Desire, Phoenix Theatre

Zachary Quinto
Best of Enemies, Noël Coward Theatre

Samira Wiley
Blues for an Alabama Sky, National Theatre

Best creative West End debut
Sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment

Joe Bunker
Musical Director, Operation Mincemeat, Fortune Theatre

David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts (SpitLip)
Composer, Lyricist & Book Writer, Operation Mincemeat, Fortune Theatre

Tingying Dong
Sound Designer, The Crucible, National Theatre and Gielgud Theatre

Michael R Jackson
Composer, Lyricist & Book Writer, A Strange Loop, Barbican Theatre

Scott Le Crass
Director, Rose, Ambassadors Theatre

Rob Madge
Writer, My Son’s a Queer, (But What Can You Do?), Garrick Theatre and Ambassadors Theatre

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