The Stage Debut Awards 2025
September 28, 2025
18:00 - 23:00
8 Northumberland Avenue, LondonIn association with
Celebrating emerging actors and creatives
The Stage Debut Awards 2025 winners have been announced!
Together we will celebrate another year of incredible actors and creatives at a glittering ceremony taking place on Sunday, September 28 at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London.
The shortlist for 2025 has been revealed. Nominees include Heather Agyepong for Shifters at the Duke of York’s Theatre, Danny James King for writing Miss Myrtle’s Garden, Lucy Karczewski for Stereophonic at the Duke of York’s Theatre, Amit Sharma for directing Retrograde at the Apollo Theatre, Rachel Zegler for Evita at the London Palladium, and Jasper Talbot for Redlands at Chichester Festival Theatre.
Being part of The Stage Debut Awards offers a powerful platform to showcase your commitment to the arts, support the rising talent shaping the future of the industry, and elevate your brand.
To find out more about sponsorship opportunities, get in touch with Sarah DuMay at sarah.dumay@thestage.co.uk.
Awards Step
The Stage Debut Awards Winners
Event & Sponsorship Info
Timeline
Submissions open
Submissions close
The judging panel meets
Shortlist announced & public voting opens
The Stage Debut Awards Ceremony
Help Us Create a Legacy!
Support new talent and create better opportunities for the future through sponsoring The Stage Debut Awards.
From sole sponsorship of a specific category to a supportive role for the awards as a whole, all sponsors will gain vital exposure for your business and help support home-grown, emerging talent.
To find out more contact Sales manager, sarah.dumay@thestage.co.uk
It was such an amazing experience that I will never ever forget! Thank you to everyone at The Stage for this immense honour and recognition! The whole night was just wonderful.
Jeevan Braich, 2024 winner of Best Performer in a Musical
The Stage Debut Awards was brilliantly organised and yet again proved to be the best of its kind. It’s so wonderful to be able to mix with emerging talent. The enthusiasm in the room was palpable.
Alan Brodie, Chairman, Noel Coward Foundation
Attend the ceremony
If you would like to attend the awards and celebrate with us on the night, please email debuts@thestage.co.uk.
Please note - it is free to enter a submission for The Stage Debut Awards, and nominees and their guests receive a complimentary invitation to the ceremony. Please see here for more information.
Become a champion
Get involved online and share your excitement for the #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.
Email: debuts@thestage.co.uk
Call: 020 7939 8468
#DebutAwards
Featured News
Rachel Zegler wins audience vote at The Stage Debut Awards 2025
Rachel Zegler has won the Best West End Debut Performer award at The Stage Debut Awards in association with Netflix for her turn in Jamie Lloyd’s revival of Evita
The Stage Debut Awards 2025: winners in full
The winners of The Stage Debut Awards 2025 have been revealed, with creatives from both Scotland and Wales triumphing for the first time in the awards’ history
The Stage Debut Awards 2025: Evita star Rachel Zegler among nominees
The Stage editor Alistair Smith revealed that the 2025 shortlist includes productions from all four nations in the UK for the first time since the awards were founded in 2017.
Julian Clary to host The Stage Debut Awards
Actor and comedian Julian Clary is to host The Stage Debut Awards, in association with Netflix, for the first time on Sunday, September 28.
JudgesView All
Baz Bamigboye
Dominic Cavendish
Dave Fargnoli
Sam Marlowe
Alistair Smith
Holly O'Mahony
Holly Williams
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Judges
Baz Bamigboye
Dominic Cavendish
Dave Fargnoli
Sam Marlowe
Alistair Smith
Holly O'Mahony
Holly Williams
The Stage Debut Awards Headline Sponsor
Category Sponsors
The Stage Debut Awards Supporters
The Stage Debut Awards Winners and Shortlists
The winners and shortlists for The Stage Debut Awards 2025
Submit Attendee Details
Please use this form to submit attendee details to The Stage Debut Awards ceremony. Please complete and return as soon as possible.
Ceremony tickets
How can I attend The Stage Debut Awards 2025?
Tickets are now available for The Stage Debut Awards 2025 ceremony.
Attending The Stage Debut Awards gives you a seat in a room filled with the freshest talent, theatre owners, agents, casting directors, and high-profile performers.
Tickets start from £250+VAT, with discounts available for table bookings.
To purchase a ticket, or to find out more information, please reach out to Sales and partnerships manager sarah.dumay@thestage.co.uk.
When are The Stage Debut Awards?
The Stage Debut Awards will take place on Sunday, September 28 at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5BY.
For those attending - details of the event:
5.30pm - Doors & drinks reception
6.30pm - Three-course dinner
8.00pm - Awards ceremony, including live performances from West End stars
9.30pm - Exclusive afterparty
11.30pm - Carriages
Best Creative West End Debut
Shortlists, criteria and information for the Best Creative West End Debut category. Sponsored by Learn my Lines Productions
First professional creative credit in the West End in a production reviewed by The Stage. This does not need to be a full professional debut, only the first credit in the West End. e.g. a Broadway performer making their debut in the West End would be eligible.
The Best Creative West End Debut category includes but is not limited to composers, lyricists, writers, directors and designers. West End is defined as SOLT theatres.
Nominees must be over 16 years old or over.
Best Creative West End Debut Winner
Mark Rosenblatt
Harold Pinter Theatre
An experienced director, Rosenblatt made his West End debut as the writer of this stunning play that grapples with author Roald Dahl’s antisemitism.
Agent: The Agency
Role: Playwright
2025 Best Creative West End Debut Shortlist
Eline Arbo
Harold Pinter Theatre
Arbo’s imaginative adaptation and direction managed to skilfully distil seven decades of a woman’s life from Annie Ernaux’s book on to the stage.
Agent: Casarotto Ramsay & Associates
Role: Director/adapter
Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli
Criterion Theatre
Titanique was an absolute riot and one of the unexpected hits of the past year, thanks in large part to Blue, Mindelle and Rousouli’s book.
Agent: CPK Artists & Curtis Brown (Blue), CPK Artists & Creative Artists Agency (Mindelle), CPK Artists & DKC/O&M (Rousouli)
Role: Writers
Darren Clark, Jethro Compton
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ambassadors Theatre
Compton and Clark’s book, lyrics and score for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button beautifully transported F Scott Fitzgerald’s novella to a Cornish fishing village.
Agent: Sayle Screen (Compton), The Agency (Clark)
Role: Book/music/lyrics
Justin Craig
Duke of York’s Theatre
In a play where the music takes centre stage, Craig’s musical direction and orchestration were central to the show’s West End success.
Agent: WME Agency
Role: Musical director/orchestrator
Benedict Lombe
Duke of York’s Theatre
Lombe’s romantic comedy was fierce and funny and captured the giddy wonder of falling in love for the first time.
Agent: Curtis Brown
Role: Playwright
Mark Rosenblatt
Harold Pinter Theatre
An experienced director, Rosenblatt made his West End debut as the writer of this stunning play that grapples with author Roald Dahl’s antisemitism.
Agent: The Agency
Role: Playwright
Amit Sharma
Apollo Theatre
Kiln artistic director Sharma made his West End debut with this transfer of his tense production of Ryan Calais Cameron’s play about Sidney Poitier.
Agent: Independent Talent
Role: Director
Last Year's Winner
Previous Winners
- Tingying Dong (Sound Designer) for The Crucible at National Theatre and Gielgud Theatre
- Rob Madge (Writer) for My Son’s a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at Garrick Theatre and Ambassadors
- Julia Cheng (choreographer) for Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre, London
- Femi Temowo (composer) for Death of a Salesman at the Piccadilly Theatre and for Three Sisters at the National Theatre
Best West End Debut Performer
Shortlists, criteria and information for the Best West End Debut Performer category. Sponsored by the Noel Coward Foundation
First professional appearance in a named role in the West End in a production reviewed by The Stage (previous appearances in ensemble roles or as an understudy do not disqualify you from consideration).
This does not need to be a full professional debut, only the first appearance in the West End. e.g. a Broadway performer making their debut in the West End would be eligible.
The Best West End Debut Performer category covers all West End performance debuts. West End is defined as commercial theatres in full SOLT membership.
Nominees must be over 16 years old or over.
The winner of Best West End Debut Performer is determined by a public vote.
Best West End Debut Winner
Rachel Zegler
London Palladium
Zegler brought her star wattage and extraordinary vocals to the role of Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd’s much talked about revival.
Agent: Creative Artists Agency
2025 Best West End Debut Shortlist
Heather Agyepong
Duke of York’s Theatre
Agyepong gave a spiky and charismatic performance as the uptight and ambitious Des in this romantic comedy.
Agent: United Agents
Training: Identity School of Acting
Samuel Brewer
Wyndham’s Theatre
Brewer made a big impression in the small but crucial role of Teiresias in Robert Icke’s updated staging of the Greek tragedy.
Agent: The Production Exchange
Training: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Georgie Buckland
Dominion Theatre
Gave a standout performance as Andy, dominating the stage in the musical version of the hit film.
Agent: 33 Entertainment Group
Agent: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Tosin Cole
Duke of York’s Theatre
A charming and playful performance as Dre in the West End transfer of Benedict Lombe’s play.
Agent: Curtis Brown
Emma Flynn
Trafalgar Theatre
Flynn brought charm and wit to her gloriously upbeat portrayal of Cher in the stage adaptation of the 1995 movie.
Agent: The Roster Agency
Training: The Hartt School of Music
Diego Andres Rodriguez
London Palladium
As the narrator Che, Rodriguez gave a performance of intensity and vocal power.
Agent: The Gersh Agency
Kat Ronney
Criterion Theatre
As Rose in this Titanic spoof, Ronney nailed the comedy and the vocals.
Agent: Thrive Talent
Training: Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Rachel Zegler
London Palladium
Zegler brought her star wattage and extraordinary vocals to the role of Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd’s much talked about revival.
Agent: Creative Artists Agency
Last Year's Winner
Previous Winners
- Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace
- Jodie Comer for Prima Facie the Harold Pinter Theatre
- Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre
- Jac Yarrow for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium
- Aidan Turner for The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Noel Coward Theatre
- Andrew Polec for Bat Out of Hell at the London Coliseum
Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer
Shortlists, criteria and information for the Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer category. Sponsored by Theatrical Rights Worldwide
First professional composer, lyricist or book writer credit in a production staged between July 18, 2024 and July 17, 2025 in the UK and reviewed by The Stage.
Nominees must be over 16 years old or over.
Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer Winner
Yve Blake
Lyric Hammersmith, London
Australian Blake’s musical took a few years to make it to the UK but was worth the wait, offering a kooky homage to the culture of superfans.
Agent: PBJ Management
2025 Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer Shortlist
Bryn Christopher, James Cooper, Martin Batchelar
Theatre Royal Stratford East, London
Cooper (book and lyrics), Christopher (music and lyrics) and Batchelar (music) created a frothy and fun new musical with catchy, poppy numbers and a genuinely funny book.
Agent: The Caroline Underwood Agency (Batchelar), Frank Music (Christopher), the Soho Agency (Cooper)
Yve Blake
Lyric Hammersmith, London
Australian Blake’s musical took a few years to make it to the UK but was worth the wait, offering a kooky homage to the culture of superfans.
Agent: PBJ Management
Nicola and Rosie Dempsey
Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh
Flo & Joan (as the Dempsey’s cabaret alter egos are known) penned a superbly silly musical about the life of Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Agent: Avalon UK
Previous Winners
- Michael R Jackson for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre, London
- John Patrick Elliott for Cruise at the Duchess Theatre, London
- Jim Barne and Kit Buchan for The Season at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich and Royal and Derngate, Northampton Rep)
- David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoe Roberts for Operation Mincemeat at the New Diorama Theatre, London
- Gus Gowland for Pieces of String at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester
- Dan Gillespie Sells for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Best Writer
Criteria and information for the Best Writer category.
Sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions
First professional writing credit in a production staged between July 18, 2024 and July 17, 2025 in the UK and reviewed by The Stage.
Nominees must be over 16 years old or over.
Best Writer Joint Winner
Ava Pickett
Almeida Theatre, London
This debut play about female friendship and male power by TV dramatist Ava Pickett was vividly engaging and delivered with dash and flair.
Agent: Curtis Brown
Training: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Best Writer Joint Winner
Milly Sweeney
Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Byre Theatre, St Andrews
Raw, real and mightily moving, Sweeney’s debut told a Glasgow-set story of depression, desperation and connection.
Agent: Brennan Artists
Training: New College Lanarkshire
2025 Best Writer Shortlist
Sarah Bond
Laurels, Whitley Bay
Bond’s accomplished debut was a sharply funny and perceptive story of teenage friendship set in a seaside amusement arcade.
Nathan Englander
What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank
Marylebone Theatre, London
Englander’s play was a fiery and intelligent exploration of Jewish identity.
Agent: Aragi
Danny James King
Bush Theatre, London
King’s play was a blisteringly beautiful exploration of dementia, community and connection in a rapidly changing London.
Agent: United Agents
Nancy Netherwood
Southwark Playhouse, London
Netherwood’s smart, atmospheric play upended well-worn horror tropes to tell a tale of queer rage and catharsis.
Agent: Casarotto Ramsay & Associates
Ava Pickett
Almeida Theatre, London
This debut play about female friendship and male power by TV dramatist Ava Pickett was vividly engaging and delivered with dash and flair.
Agent: Curtis Brown
Training: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Milly Sweeney
Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Byre Theatre, St Andrews
Raw, real and mightily moving, Sweeney’s debut told a Glasgow-set story of depression, desperation and connection.
Agent: Brennan Artists
Training: New College Lanarkshire
Saana Sze
Finborough Theatre, London
Sze’s acid humour and sharply observed dialogue lifted this story of gender-nonconforming students and teachers within the English education system.
Previous Winners
- Anoushka Lucas for Elephant at Bush Theatre, London
- Tyrell Williams for Red Pitch at the Bush Theatre, London
- Temi Wilkey for The High Table at the Bush Theatre, London (in a co-production with Birmingham Rep)
- Jasmine Lee-Jones for Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner at the Royal Court, London
- Andrew Thompson for In Event of Moone Disaster at Theatre503, London
- Katherine Soper for Wish List at the Royal Exchange, Manchester, and Royal Court Theatre, London
Best Designer
Criteria and information for the Best Designer category. Sponsored by Preevue
First professional design credit in a production staged between July 18, 2024 and July 17, 2025 in the UK and reviewed by The Stage.
The Best Designer category includes but is not limited to set, costume, lighting, sound & video.
Nominees must be over 16 years old or over.
Best Designer Winner
Hannah Schmidt
The Passenger / Personal Values
Finborough Theatre, London / Hampstead Theatre, London
Schmidt’s in-the-round set and costumes for The Passenger conjured up Nazi Berlin, while in Personal Values, working as costume designer and associate set designer, she helped depict the clutter of a hoarder’s home.
Won for: Set and costume design
2025 Best Designer Shortlist
Juliette Demoulin
Finborough Theatre, London
Demoulin’s designs showed great range and flair across a range of shows at the Finborough, with her work on Burnt-Up Love particularly impressive.
Nominated for: Set design
Training: École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Paris-La Villette
Adam Jefferys
Bush Theatre, London
Jefferys’ lighting was clean and effective, clearly marking each of the show’s many transitions and giving each segment its own distinct feel.
Nominated for: Lighting design
Hannah Schmidt
The Passenger / Personal Values
Finborough Theatre, London / Hampstead Theatre, London
Schmidt’s in-the-round set and costumes for The Passenger conjured up Nazi Berlin, while in Personal Values, working as costume designer and associate set designer, she helped depict the clutter of a hoarder’s home.
Nominated for: Set and costume design
Chloe Wyn
The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure
Liverpool Everyman
Wyn’s abstract set provided a canvas on to which the audience could paint with their imagination in this entertainingly offbeat tale.
Nominated for: Set and costume design
Agent: LIPA
Last Year's Winner
Previous Winners
- Andrea Scott (video) for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre, London
- TK Hay (set and costume) for An Adventure at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton
- Rose Revitt (set and costume) for Dr Korczak’s Example at Leeds
- Evie Gurney for Antony and Cleopatra at the National Theatre, London, and The Hunt at the Almeida Theatre, London
- Khadija Raza for Hijabi Monologues, Spun, and Mixtape, at the Bush Theatre, London, the Arcola Theatre, London and the Royal Exchange, Manchester
- Rosie Elnile for The Convert at the Gate Theatre, London
Best Director
Criteria and information for the Best Director category. Sponsored by Arts Council England
First professional directorial credit in a production staged between July 18, 2024 and July 17, 2025 in the UK and reviewed by The Stage.
Nominees must be over 16 years old or over.
Best Director Winner
Richard Mylan
Swansea Grand Theatre
A previous nominee as a writer, Mylan impressed again with this directorial debut – his visceral and urgent staging of a muscular one-woman play was laced with anger, pathos and emotion.
Training: Urdang Academy
2025 Best Director Shortlist
Aditya Chopra
Opera House, Manchester
An experienced film director, Chopra made his theatrical debut with this impressive stage musical adaptation of his own film.
Agent: Yash Raj Films
Nathan Crossan-Smith
The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure
Liverpool Everyman
Crossan-Smith’s imaginative staging incorporated foley effects to allow for a walrus, a stag and a bear to all be conjured up in the minds of the audience.
Training: LAMDA
Adam Karim
Orange Tree Theatre, London
Karim infused his staging of Rajiv Joseph’s grisly play with unexpected warmth and humour.
Training: Manchester School of Theatre
Emily Susanne Lloyd
The Other Palace, London
For a small-scale show in a studio space, Lloyd’s flawless musical production punched well above its weight.
Training: Drama Studio London
Richard Mylan
Swansea Grand Theatre
A previous nominee as a writer, Mylan impressed again with this directorial debut – his visceral and urgent staging of a muscular one-woman play was laced with anger, pathos and emotion.
Training: Urdang Academy
Previous Winners
- Emily Ling Williams for A Playlist for the Revolution at Bush Theatre, London
- Monique Touko for Malindadzimu at Hampstead Theatre, London
- Martha Kiss Perrone for When It Breaks It Burns at the Battersea
- Atri Banerjee for Hobson’s Choice at the Royal Exchange, Manchester
- Katy Rudd for The Almighty Sometimes at the Royal Exchange, Manchester
- Lekan Lawal for Betrayal at Derby Theatre, Derby
Best Performer in a Musical
Criteria and information for the Best Performer in a Musical category. Sponsored by Michael Harrison Entertainment
First professional appearance in a named role in a musical staged between July 18, 2024 and July 17, 2025 in the UK and reviewed by The Stage.
(Previous appearances in ensemble roles or as an understudy do not disqualify you from consideration).
Nominees must be over 16 years old or over.
Best Performer in a Musical Winner
Leesa Tulley
Garrick Theatre, London
Originating her first professional role in the West End premiere of Why Am I So Single?, Tulley impressed as Nancy with an exquisite voice and vast vocal range.
Agent: 33 Entertainment Group
Training: Emil Dale Academy
2025 Best Performer in a Musical Shortlist
Megan Ellis
Curve, Leicester
Ellis’ winning stage presence and stonkingly good voice impressed in the stage adaptation of the hit film.
Agent: Anthony Paul Associates
Training: Birmingham School of Acting
Dora Gee
The Other Palace, London
Delivered powerhouse vocals and likeability as Samantha in the UK debut of Kerrigan and Lowdermilk’s musical.
Agent: Avenue Agents
Training: The Musical Theatre Academy
Eve Shanu-Wilson
His Majesty’s Theatre, London
Made a stunning professional debut as Christine in the long-running West End production of The Phantom of the Opera.
Agent: Collective Agents
Training: Guildford School of Acting
Leesa Tulley
Garrick Theatre, London
Originating her first professional role in the West End premiere of Why Am I So Single?, Tulley impressed as Nancy with an exquisite voice and vast vocal range.
Agent: 33 Entertainment Group
Training: Emil Dale Academy
Last Year's Winners
Jeevan Braich
Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
Grace Hodgett Young
Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Previous Winners
- Jessica Lee for ’Miss Saigon’ at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
- Elijah Ferreira for ’Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ at Leeds Playhouse
- Shan Ako for ’Les Misérables’ at the Sondheim Theatre, London
- Sam Tutty for ’Dear Evan Hansen’ at the Noël Coward Theatre, London
- Danielle Fiamanya for The Color Purple at Curve, Leicester and Birmingham Hippodrome
- Adam Hugill for Standing at the Sky’s Edge at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
- Amara Okereke for Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre, London
- Louis Gaunt for Oklahoma! at Grange Park Opera, West Horsley
- Miriam-Teak Lee for On the Town at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London
- Samuel Thomas for Allegro at Southwark Playhouse, London
Best Performer in a Play
Criteria and information for the Best Performer in a Play category. Sponsored by Encore
First professional appearance in a named role in a play staged between July 18, 2024 and July 17, 2025 in the UK and reviewed by The Stage. (Previous appearances in ensemble roles or as an understudy do not disqualify you from consideration).
Nominees must be over 16 years old or over.
2025 Best Performer in a Play Joint Winner
Hilson Agbangbe
Bristol Old Vic
Agbangbe gave a skilful, emotionally articulate and sensitive performance as Sonny, the play’s stammering young protagonist.
Agent: United Agents
Training: LAMDA
2025 Best Performer in a Play Joint Winner
Lucy Karczewski
Duke of York’s Theatre, London
Playing Diana, Karczewski shone in the role of the band’s young female singer emerging out of the shadow of her male bandmates.
Agent: United Agents
Training: LAMDA
2025 Best Performer in a Play Shortlist
Hilson Agbangbe
Bristol Old Vic
Agbangbe gave a skilful, emotionally articulate and sensitive performance as Sonny, the play’s stammering young protagonist.
Agent: Identity Agency Group
Training: LAMDA
Paula Clarke
Lyric Theatre, Belfast
With previous credits as a live art performer, Clarke, who is Deaf and performs using sign language, delivered a chilling performance as the assassin Tyrell.
Agent: Unrepresented
Joseph Edwards
Swan Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-Upon-Avon
Edwards threw himself into his role as the creepy Clive, who enthuses about his love for taxidermy and lopping off extremities with an axe.
Agent: Victoria Lepper Associates
Training: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Lucy Karczewski
Duke of York’s Theatre, London
Playing Diana, Karczewski shone in the role of the band’s young female singer emerging out of the shadow of her male bandmates.
Agent: United Agents
Training: LAMDA
Eva Morgan
Yard Theatre, London
Morgan gave a standout performance as Laura, realistically and sensitively portraying the character’s debilitating anxieties.
Agent: Independent Talent
Training: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Christopher Neenan
Omnibus Theatre, London
Neenan delivered a hugely promising debut in the role of volatile young lover Rob in Barney Norris’ adaptation of Lorca.
Agent: Unrepresented
Daisy Sequerra
National Theatre, London
An experienced child performer, Sequerra impressed in her adult debut as ambitious young dancer Posy in the National’s Ballet Shoes.
Agent: Independent Talent
Training: DMA London Elite Masterclasses
Jasper Talbot
Chichester Festival Theatre
As a young Mick Jagger, Talbot captured the singer’s notorious onstage presence, preening, stamping and swivelling his hips.
Agent: United Agents
Training: RADA
Last Year's Winners
Louis McCartney
Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Phoenix Theatre
Ellie-May Sheridan
National Theatre, London
Previous Winners
- Elan Davies for Imrie at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
- Isobel Thom for I, Joan at Shakespeare’s Globe, London
- Elisabeth Gunawan for Unforgettable Girl at Voila! Europe Theatre Festival, London
- Ensemble of For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy at the New Diorama and Royal Court, London (Mark Akintimehin, Emmanuel Akwafo,Nnabiko Ejimofor, Darragh Hand, Aruna Jalloh, Kaine Lawrence)
- Lauren O’Leary for The Awkward Years at the Other Room, Cardiff
- Jamal Ajala for Ear for Eye at the Royal Court, London
- Gemma Dobson for Rita, Sue and Bob Too at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton
- Akshay Sharan for The Reluctant Fundamentalist at the Yard Theatre, London
- Grace Moloney for The Country Girls at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester
- Abraham Popoola for Othello at Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol
About The Stage Debut Awards
What are The Stage Debut Awards?
The Stage Debut Awards are the only theatre awards dedicated to recognising individuals making their professional debuts in the performing arts in the UK.
The annual ceremony was launched in 2017 by The Stage and include accolades for Best Performer in a Play, Best Writer, Best Designer and the Best West End Debut Performer. Recipients of these awards have gone on to star in West End shows, win Oliviers and Tonys and appear in television series and films.
The awards ceremony is held annually at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London.
When are The Stage Debut Awards and can I attend?
The Stage Debut Awards will take place on Sunday, September 28 at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5BY.
For those attending - details of the event:
5.30pm - Doors & drinks reception
6.30pm - Three-course dinner
8.00pm - Awards ceremony, including live performances from West End stars
9.30pm - Exclusive afterparty
11.30pm - Carriages
A ticket to The Stage Debut Awards gives you a seat in a room filled with the freshest talent, theatre owners, agents, casting directors, and high-profile performers. To enquire about tickets, please reach out to Sales and partnerships manager sarah.dumay@thestage.co.uk.
Am I eligible for a Debut Award?
Anyone who has made their professional debut between July 18, 2024 and July 17, 2025 can be submitted.
Nominees must have made their debuts in their first professional appearance in a named role (if performer) or credit (if creative role) in a production reviewed by The Stage (previous appearances in ensemble roles or as an understudy do not disqualify you from consideration).
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 submit themselves online for consideration.
The public can also submit individuals for each category.
The Best Creative West End Debut category includes but is not limited to composers, lyricists, writers, designers, directors, casting directors, fight directors, intimacy directors & coordinators.
There is more information on eligibility here.
Can I enter a submission more than once and for different categories?
You can enter yourself or someone else across all and any categories.
Submissions only need to be entered once per category to be considered.
Every submission, regardless of the amount of entries it has, is assessed equally and fairly by the judging panel.
Submissions closed on June 29.
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
The Stage Debut Awards could not happen without the generous support from our sponsors.
If you are interested in being a sponsor in 2025 please contact Sales manager, sarah.dumay@thestage.co.uk.
Our sponsors
Netflix
headline sponsor
Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services with over 300 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages.
Noël Coward Foundation
sponsor of Best West End Debut Performer
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. www.noelcoward.com
Sonia Friedman Productions
sponsor of Best Writer
SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS is an international production company responsible for some of the most successful theatre productions in London and New York. SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS has developed, initiated and been lead producer of over 180 new productions and together the company has been responsible for winning 58 Olivier Awards, 34 Tonys and 3 BAFTAs. Current productions include: The Book of Mormon, West End and UK and Europe tour, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, London, New York, Melbourne, San Francisco, Hamburg, Toronto and Tokyo, Funny Girl, New York, Dreamgirls UK tour. Forthcoming productions include: Eureka Day, London; Merrily We Roll Along, New York; The Doctor, UK tour and London; The Piano Lesson, New York; Leopoldstadt, New York. www.soniafriedman.com
Theatrical Rights Worldwide
sponsor of Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer
With headquarters in New York and London, and offices in numerous countries, Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW) is a globally recognised, leading plays and musicals licensing company, representing popular favourites from Broadway (Tony Award® winners), West End (Olivier Award winners), Off-Broadway, and regional theatres.
Working on behalf of writers, TRW grants live-stage production rights to a wide range of professional, amateur, and school customers. Our plays and musicals suit all groups and range from the standard full-length Broadway Editions to our expertly crafted School Editions, 60-minute Young@Part Editions, 30-minute Younger@Part Editions, and much more. Visit www.theatricalrights.co.uk for your next show!
Michael Harrison Entertainment
sponsor of Best Performer in a Musical
Michael Harrison’s West End musicals include: The Little Big Things (@sohoplace); Crazy For You (Gillian Lynne); The Wizard of Oz (The London Palladium); Oklahoma! (Wyndham’s); The Drifters Girl (Garrick); two seasons of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (The London Palladium); Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein (Garrick); Gypsy (Savoy) and The Bodyguard (Adelphi and Dominion). With Andrew Lloyd Webber for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals: Sunset Boulevard (Savoy) starring Nicole Scherzinger. Later this year, Starlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre and Sunset Boulevard will transfer to Broadway.
Upcoming 2024 productions include: Hello, Dolly! starring Imelda Staunton (The London Palladium); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Donny Osmond (Edinburgh Playhouse); War Horse (UK Tour). Michael’s London Palladium pantomimes: Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk, Pantoland, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Snow White, Dick Whittington and Cinderella, have proved to be huge popular hits, with Dick Whittington winning the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and Family. www.michaelharrisonentertainment.com
Preevue
sponsor of Best Designer
Preevue is a leading provider of LiDAR laser scanning and 3D CAD visualisation for theatre, live events, and media & entertainment.
Their services include laser scanning, the creation of 3D Digital Twins, theatre production visualisation, and bespoke box office views-from-seats. Preevue produce architecturally and visually accurate 3D CAD models of venues and set designs that enable creative and production teams to work in digital replicas, minimising time needed on-site and reducing the need for travel.
Preevue clients include ATG Entertainment, LW Theatres, Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, the Royal Opera House, Disney, the National Theatre, Barbican Centre, the RSC, and English National Opera. Outside of theatre, media & entertainment clients include NBCUniversal, Paramount and Disney. www.preevue.com
Arts Council England
sponsor of Best Director
ACE are the national development agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our strategic vision in Let's Create that by 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences. We invest public money from Government and The National Lottery to help support the sector and to deliver this vision. www.artscouncil.org.uk
Learn My Lines Productions
sponsor of Best Creative West End Debut
Learn My Lines Productions is a mother-daughter team led by Holly and Barbara Lovelady. With an ethos rooted in nurturing creativity and empowering hard work, their mission is to help people follow their dreams on stage, on screen, and beyond. Beyond their own productions, they’ve proudly supported a wide range of artists and organisations, from filmmaker Elliott Leon to Stagecoach Performing Arts in Kendal. Their support also extends into youth sports, reflecting a broad commitment to uplifting individuals and communities through creativity. As proud sponsors of The Stage Debut Awards, they’re honoured to keep championing the next generation of performers. www.learnmylinesproductions.com
Encore
sponsor of Best Performer in a Play
Encore is the premier provider of lighting equipment for theatre productions across the UK, including London’s West End, Off-West End, Europe, and Asia, as well as numerous UK and international tours. Renowned for its exceptional equipment and unmatched customer service, Encore works closely with established lighting designers, production electricians, and emerging talent to bring every vision to life with precision and expertise. www.encore-emea.com
Eligibility for The Stage Debut Awards
Detailed information on the entry criteria for The Stage Debut Awards 2025
Previous winners include Miriam-Teak Lee (& Juliet), Amara Okereke (Les Misérables & My Fair Lady) and Jac Yarrow (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). Photos by Alex Brenner.
Submissions Process
Submissions are now closed for entries from debut performers, directors, writers, composers and designers. The shortlist will be announced in August 2025.
Who can you enter submit for The Stage Debut Awards?
Yourself – why not? We want to hear about your fabulous talent! Or anyone else you have worked with or whose work you admire, as long as they are making their debut between July 18, 2024 and July 17, 2025 in a production reviewed by The Stage.
We particularly welcome entries from outside London and all scales of professional productions are eligible.
Definition of debut: first professional appearance in a named role (if performer) or credit (if creative role) in a production reviewed by The Stage (previous appearances in ensemble roles or as an understudy do not disqualify you from consideration).
Definition of West End debut: first professional appearance in a named role (if performer) or credit (if creative role) in the West End in a production reviewed by The Stage (previous appearances in ensemble roles or as an understudy do not disqualify you from consideration). This does not need to be a full professional debut, only the first appearance or credit in the West End. e.g. a Broadway performer making their debut in the West End would be eligible.
Submissions only need to be entered once per category to be considered. Every submission, regardless of the amount of entries it has, is assessed equally and fairly by the judging panel.
Eligibility
To be eligible for The Stage Debut Awards 2025 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.
- 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 Performer category covers all West End performance debuts. West End is defined as commercial theatres in full SOLT membership.
- The Best Creative West End Debut category includes but is not limited to composers, lyricists, writers, directors and designers. West End is defined as commercial theatres in full SOLT membership.
- Anyone who has made a debut between July 18, 2024 and July 17, 2025 can be nominated.
- Nominations close on June 29, 2025. Any debuts made between July 1 and 17 will be considered, providing nominations are submitted by June 30. This gives The Stage time to review the performance.
- For any queries on eligibility please contact The Stage, events@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
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 Performer award.
4. The Public Vote
The Best West End Debut Performer is the only category that is determined by a public vote.
