# The Stage Debut Awards

The Stage Debut Awards are theatre awards 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, television series and films.
The awards ceremony is held annually at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London. In 2019, the awards relocated to a new venue, The Brewery, London.
In 2020, the Best Actor in a Play and Best Actress in a Play awards were updated to Best Performer in a Play and the Best Actor in a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical awards were updated to Best Performer in a Musical.

## Judging process

Eligible nominees must be aged 16 or over, and making their professional debut in a named role in a production reviewed by The Stage. For acting roles this should be a first named role. 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 nominate themselves online for consideration. The public can also nominate individuals for each category.
Industry professionals from across the UK are then invited to give their input into the longlist. These advisors have included producer Danielle Tarento, casting director David Grindrod, David Jubb, Battersea Arts Centre, designer Es Devlin, Hannah Miller, Royal Shakespeare Company; James Grieve, Paines Plough; Jenny Sealey, Graeae; Jimmy Fay, Lyric Theatre; Laura Donnelly, National Theatre of Scotland; Madani Younis, Bush Theatre; director Michael Grandage; actor Noma Dumezweni, designer Paule Constable; Pravesh Kumar, Rifco; actor Preeya Kalidas; Sam Hodges, Nuffield Southampton Theatres; producer Sonia Friedman; Tom Morris, Bristol Old Vic; and Wendy Spon, National Theatre.
The judging panel decide on the shortlist and winners in all categories, except the Best West End Debut where the shortlist is voted on by the public. The Best West End Debut award recognises those who are making their professional debut in London's West End. This includes individuals who have previously made their debut outside of the West End.

## Ceremony

In 2017, the inaugural The Stage Debut Awards Ceremony took place at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, on September 17.
The ceremony was hosted by West End leading man, Ben Forster. Categories Presenters included director Michael Grandage, actor Sharon D. Clarke, actor Rachel Tucker, Theatre owner Nica Burns, National Theatre director Rufus Norris and actor Kenneth Cranham. Exclusive performances at the ceremony were from Dreamgirls and the National Theatre's Follies.
In 2018, the ceremony took place on September 23 at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London. The ceremony was hosted by Cush Jumbo and the Category Presenters included director Michael Grandage, actor Ruthie Henshall, singer Preeya Kalidas, actor Jodie Prenger, and lighting designer Paule Constable. Exclusive performances at the ceremony were from Anaïs Mitchell and Miriam-Teak Lee.
In 2019, the ceremony took place at The Brewery, London, on September 15. The ceremony was hosted by Cush Jumbo, and the exclusive performances were by Rachel Tucker and Amara Okereke. Category Presenters included actor Giles Terera, actor Michael Xavier, singer Brenda Edwards, actor Janie Dee, actor Mark Gatiss, and playwright Inua Ellams.
The first digital ceremony was hosted as a free online event in 2020 by Miriam-Teak Lee (winner of Best Actress in a Musical in 2017) on 27 September and featured an exclusive performance was from SpitLip (winner of the 2019 Best Composer/Lyricist awards).
In 2021, no ceremony took place due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
In 2022, the ceremony took place at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London on Sunday, September 18. The ceremony was hosted by Susan Wokoma, and exclusive performances were by Shan Ako, Samuel Thomas, Frances Mayli McCann and Natalie Paris. Category Presenters included actor Amanda Abbington, director Jamie Lloyd, singer-songwriter and performer Louise Rednapp, singer Jay McGuiness, actor Matt Henry and theatre designer Anna Fleischle.
In 2023, the ceremony took place at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London on Sunday, October 1. The ceremony was hosted by Divina de Campo, and the exclusive performances were by Emily Benjamin, Zizi Strallen and Rachael Wooding. Category Presenters included actor Callum Scott Howells, singer Faye Tozer, director Rebecca Frecknall, lighting designer Prem Mehta, writer Morgan Lloyd Malcom, actor John Partridge, actor Bertie Carvel and actor Omari Douglas.
In 2024, the ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 29.

## Previous winners

| The Stage Debut Awards 2017 | Winner | Nominees |
| Best Actor in a Play | Abraham Popoola in Othello at Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol | Jack Archer in Nivelli's War at The Lyric Theatre, Belfast |
| Best Actor in a Play | Abraham Popoola in Othello at Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol | TJ Jones in The Seven Acts of Mercy at Swan Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon |
| Best Actor in a Play | Abraham Popoola in Othello at Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol | Kenneth Omole in Assata Taught Me at the Gate Theatre, London |
| Best Actress in a Play | Grace Molony in The Country Girls at Minerva Theatre, Chichester | Anya Chalotra in Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare's Globe, London |
| Best Actress in a Play | Grace Molony in The Country Girls at Minerva Theatre, Chichester | Kellan Frankland in The House of Bernarda Alba at Royal Exchange, Manchester |
| Best Actress in a Play | Grace Molony in The Country Girls at Minerva Theatre, Chichester | Jess Peet in Alice in Wonderland at The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh |
| Best Actor in a Musical | Samuel Thomas in Allegro at Southwark Playhouse, London | Adam J Bernard in Dreamgirls at Savoy Theatre, London |
| Best Actor in a Musical | Samuel Thomas in Allegro at Southwark Playhouse, London | Ben Hunter in The Girls at Phoenix Theatre, London |
| Best Actor in a Musical | Samuel Thomas in Allegro at Southwark Playhouse, London | Daniel Urch in 110 in the Shade at Ye Olde Rose and Crown, London |
| Best Actress in a Musical | Miriam-Teak Lee in On the Town at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London | Chloe Carrington in Hair at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester |
| Best Actress in a Musical | Miriam-Teak Lee in On the Town at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London | Emily Hughes in Fiddler on the Roof at Everyman Theatre, Liverpool |
| Best Actress in a Musical | Miriam-Teak Lee in On the Town at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London | Siena Kelly in On the Town at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London |
| Best Director | Lekan Lawal for Betrayal at Derby Theatre, Derby | Sean Aydon for Richard III at Rosemary Branch, London |
| Best Director | Lekan Lawal for Betrayal at Derby Theatre, Derby | Alexander Lass for 46 Beacon at Trafalgar Studios 2, London |
| Best Director | Lekan Lawal for Betrayal at Derby Theatre, Derby | Lynette Linton for Assata Taught Me at the Gate Theatre, London |
| Best Designer | Rosie Elnile for The Convert at Gate Theatre, London | Joshua Gadsby for Still Ill at New Diorama, London |
| Best Designer | Rosie Elnile for The Convert at Gate Theatre, London | Simon Spencer for The Tempest at Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon |
| Best Designer | Rosie Elnile for The Convert at Gate Theatre, London | Jessica Staton for Extra Yarn at Orange Tree Theatre, London |
| Best Composer or Lyricist | Dan Gillespie Sells for Everybody's Talking About Jamie at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Jonah Brody and MJ Harding for Removal Men at The Yard, London |
| Best Composer or Lyricist | Dan Gillespie Sells for Everybody's Talking About Jamie at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Ruth Chan for Snow in Midsummer at Swan Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon |
| Best Composer or Lyricist | Dan Gillespie Sells for Everybody's Talking About Jamie at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Stephen Jackson for Roller Diner at Soho Theatre, London |
| Best Writer | Katherine Soper for Wish List at Royal Exchange, Manchester and Royal Court Theatre, London | Titas Halder for Run the Beast Down at Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury and Finborough Theatre, London |
| Best Writer | Katherine Soper for Wish List at Royal Exchange, Manchester and Royal Court Theatre, London | Asif Khan for Combustion at Tara Arts, London |
| Best Writer | Katherine Soper for Wish List at Royal Exchange, Manchester and Royal Court Theatre, London | Victoria Willing for Spring Offensive at Clapham Omnibus, London |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Andrew Polec for Bat Out of Hell at London Coliseum | John Boyega in Woyzeck at Old Vic |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Andrew Polec for Bat Out of Hell at London Coliseum | Anthony Boyle in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at The Palace Theatre |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Andrew Polec for Bat Out of Hell at London Coliseum | Andy Karl in Groundhog Day at Old Vic |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Andrew Polec for Bat Out of Hell at London Coliseum | Audra McDonald in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill at Wyndhams Theatre |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Andrew Polec for Bat Out of Hell at London Coliseum | Imogen Poots in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Harold Pinter Theatre |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Andrew Polec for Bat Out of Hell at London Coliseum | Amber Riley in Dreamgirls at Savoy Theatre |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Andrew Polec for Bat Out of Hell at London Coliseum | Charlie Stemp in Half a Sixpence at Noël Coward Theatre |
| The Stage Debut Awards 2018 | Winner | Nominees |
| Best Actor in a Play | Akshay Sharan in The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Yard Theatre, London | Seb Carrington in Summer and Smoke, Almeida Theatre, London |
| Best Actor in a Play | Akshay Sharan in The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Yard Theatre, London | Chris Walley in The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Noël Coward Theatre, London |
| Best Actor in a Play | Akshay Sharan in The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Yard Theatre, London | Alex Wilson in The Elephant Man, Bristol Old Vic Theatre, Bristol |
| Best Actress in a Play | Gemma Dobson in Rita, Sue and Bob Too, Octagon Theatre, Bolton | Kitty Archer in One for Sorrow, Royal Court, London |
| Best Actress in a Play | Gemma Dobson in Rita, Sue and Bob Too, Octagon Theatre, Bolton | Lorna Fitzgerald in The Shadow Factory, NST City, Southampton |
| Best Actress in a Play | Gemma Dobson in Rita, Sue and Bob Too, Octagon Theatre, Bolton | Grainne O'Mahony in The Elephant Man, Bristol Old Vic, Bristol |
| Best Actor in a Musical | Louis Gaunt in Oklahoma!, Grange Park Opera, West Horsley | Will Carey in It's Only Life, Union Theatre, London |
| Best Actor in a Musical | Louis Gaunt in Oklahoma!, Grange Park Opera, West Horsley | Toby Miles in Les Misérables, Queen's Theatre, London |
| Best Actor in a Musical | Louis Gaunt in Oklahoma!, Grange Park Opera, West Horsley | Simon Oskarsson in Return to the Forbidden Planet, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London |
| Best Actress in a Musical | Amara Okereke in Les Misérables, Queen's Theatre, London | Teleri Hughes in Spring Awakening at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester |
| Best Actress in a Musical | Amara Okereke in Les Misérables, Queen's Theatre, London | Eleanor Kane in Fun Home at the Young Vic, London |
| Best Actress in a Musical | Amara Okereke in Les Misérables, Queen's Theatre, London | Rebecca Mendoza in Hairspray, on tour |
| Best Director | Katy Rudd for The Almighty Sometimes, Royal Exchange, Manchester | Iwan Lewis for One Minute, the Barn Theatre, Cirencester |
| Best Director | Katy Rudd for The Almighty Sometimes, Royal Exchange, Manchester | Alexandra Moxon for Wreck at Nottingham Playhouse |
| Best Director | Katy Rudd for The Almighty Sometimes, Royal Exchange, Manchester | Oscar Pearce for Great Apes at the Arcola Theatre, London |
| Best Designer | Khadija Raza for Hijabi Monologues, Spun, and Mixtape, Bush Theatre, London, the Arcola Theatre, London and the Royal Exchange, Manchester | Basia Binkowska for Devil with the Blue Dress at the Bunker Theatre, London |
| Best Designer | Khadija Raza for Hijabi Monologues, Spun, and Mixtape, Bush Theatre, London, the Arcola Theatre, London and the Royal Exchange, Manchester | Fin Redshaw for Pieces of String and Love Me Now, Mercury Theatre, Colchester and the Tristan Bates Theatre, London |
| Best Designer | Khadija Raza for Hijabi Monologues, Spun, and Mixtape, Bush Theatre, London, the Arcola Theatre, London and the Royal Exchange, Manchester | Jasmine Swan for Hyem, The Passing of Third Floor Back, Hanna and The Sleeper, Theatre503, London, the Finborough Theatre, London, the Arcola Theatre, London, and Rialto Theatre, Brighton |
| Best Composer or Lyricist | Gus Gowland for Pieces of String, Mercury Theatre, Colchester | Kate Marlais for Abandon, Lyric Hammersmith, London |
| Best Composer or Lyricist | Gus Gowland for Pieces of String, Mercury Theatre, Colchester | Matt Winkworth for The Assassination of Katie Hopkins, Theatr Clwyd, Mold |
| Best Writer | Andrew Thompson for In Event of Moone Disaster, Theatre503, London | Georgia Christou for Yous Two, Hampstead Theatre, London |
| Best Writer | Andrew Thompson for In Event of Moone Disaster, Theatre503, London | Kendall Feaver for The Almighty Sometimes, Royal Exchange, Manchester |
| Best Writer | Andrew Thompson for In Event of Moone Disaster, Theatre503, London | Natasha Gordon for Nine Night, National Theatre, London |
| Best Writer | Andrew Thompson for In Event of Moone Disaster, Theatre503, London | Joe White for Mayfly, Orange Tree Theatre, London |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Aidan Turner in The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Noël Coward Theatre | Mohammad Amiri for The Jungle at the Playhouse Theatre |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Aidan Turner in The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Noël Coward Theatre | Ashley Banjo for Dick Whittington at the London Palladium |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Aidan Turner in The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Noël Coward Theatre | Bryan Cranston for Network at the National Theatre |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Aidan Turner in The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Noël Coward Theatre | Michelle Greenidge for Nine Night at the National Theatre |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Aidan Turner in The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Noël Coward Theatre | John McCrea for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Aidan Turner in The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Noël Coward Theatre | Kelli O'Hara for The King and I at the London Palladium |
| The Stage Debut Awards 2019 | Winner | Nominees |
| Best Actor in a Play | Jamal Ajala in Ear for Eye, Royal Court | Stuart Campbell in The Hunt, Almeida Theatre |
| Best Actor in a Play | Jamal Ajala in Ear for Eye, Royal Court | Patrick Gibson in Sweat, Donmar Warehouse and the Gielgud Theatre |
| Best Actor in a Play | Jamal Ajala in Ear for Eye, Royal Court | Ivan Oyik in Blue/Orange, Birmingham Repertory Theatre |
| Best Actress in a Play | Lauren O'Leary in The Awkward Years, The Other Room, Cardiff | Liv Hill in Top Girls, National Theatre |
| Best Actress in a Play | Lauren O'Leary in The Awkward Years, The Other Room, Cardiff | Urielle Klein-Mekongo in Yvette, Bush Theatre |
| Best Actress in a Play | Lauren O'Leary in The Awkward Years, The Other Room, Cardiff | Bea Webster in Mother Courage, Albion Electric Warehouse, Leeds |
| Best Actor in a Musical | Adam Hugill for Standing in The Sky's Edge, Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Ryan Hutton in Only Fools and Horses The Musical, Theatre Royal Haymarket |
| Best Actor in a Musical | Adam Hugill for Standing in The Sky's Edge, Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Jac Yarrow in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, London Palladium |
| Best Actress in a Musical | Danielle Fiamanya in The Color Purple, Curve, Leicester and Birmingham Hippodrome | Georgina Ambrey in My Mother Said I Never Should and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick |
| Best Actress in a Musical | Danielle Fiamanya in The Color Purple, Curve, Leicester and Birmingham Hippodrome | Maiya Quansah-Breed in Six, Arts Theatre |
| Best Actress in a Musical | Danielle Fiamanya in The Color Purple, Curve, Leicester and Birmingham Hippodrome | Jarneia Richard-Noel in Six, Arts Theatre |
| Best Director | Atri Banerjee for Hobson's Choice, Royal Exchange, Manchester | Tyrone Huntley for Ain't Misbehaving, Mercury Theatre, Colchester |
| Best Director | Atri Banerjee for Hobson's Choice, Royal Exchange, Manchester | Jade Lewis for Superhoe, Royal Court |
| Best Director | Atri Banerjee for Hobson's Choice, Royal Exchange, Manchester | Tom Scutt for Berberian Sound Studio, Donmar Warehouse |
| Best Designer | Evie Gurney for Antony and Cleopatra and The Hunt, National Theatre and Almeida Theatre | Abby Clarke for Beauty and the Beast, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick |
| Best Designer | Evie Gurney for Antony and Cleopatra and The Hunt, National Theatre and Almeida Theatre | Maxwell Nicholson Lailey for Huddle (Unicorn Theatre) |
| Best Composer or Lyricist | David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoe Roberts for Operation Mincemeat, New Diorama Theatre | Oran Eldor and Marcus Stevens for Mythic the Musical, Charing Cross Theatre |
| Best Composer or Lyricist | David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoe Roberts for Operation Mincemeat, New Diorama Theatre | Anaïs Mitchell for Hadestown, National Theatre |
| Best Composer or Lyricist | David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoe Roberts for Operation Mincemeat, New Diorama Theatre | Femi Temowo for Death of a Salesman, Young Vic |
| Best Writer | Jasmine Lee-Jones for Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner, Royal Court | Ross Willis for Wolfie, Theatre503 |
| Best Writer | Jasmine Lee-Jones for Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner, Royal Court | Nicôle Lecky for Superhoe, Royal Court |
| Best Writer | Jasmine Lee-Jones for Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner, Royal Court | Holly Robinson for Soft Animals, Soho Theatre |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Jac Yarrow for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, London Palladium | Matthew Broderick in The Starry Messenger, Wyndham's Theatre |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Jac Yarrow for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, London Palladium | Andrew Burnap in The Inheritance, Noël Coward Theatre |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Jac Yarrow for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, London Palladium | Nathanael Campbell in Come From Away, Phoenix Theatre |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Jac Yarrow for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, London Palladium | Saffron Coomber in Emilia, Vaudeville Theatre |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Jac Yarrow for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, London Palladium | Sarah Gordy in Jellyfish, National Theatre |
| The Joe Allen Best West End Debut | Jac Yarrow for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, London Palladium | Samuel H Levine in The Inheritance, Noël Coward Theatre |
| The Stage Debut Awards 2020 | Winner | Nominees |
| Best Performer in a Play | Daniel Monks for Teenage Dick at the Donmar Warehouse, London & Rachel Nwokoro for Little Baby Jesus at the Orange Tree Theatre, London | Saida Ahmed for Little Miss Burden at the Bunker, London |
| Best Performer in a Play | Daniel Monks for Teenage Dick at the Donmar Warehouse, London & Rachel Nwokoro for Little Baby Jesus at the Orange Tree Theatre, London | Brooklyn Melvin for Oliver Twist at Leeds Playhouse (in a co-production with Ramps on the Moon) |
| Best Performer in a Play | Daniel Monks for Teenage Dick at the Donmar Warehouse, London & Rachel Nwokoro for Little Baby Jesus at the Orange Tree Theatre, London | Jessica Rhodes for The Sugar Syndrome at the Orange Tree Theatre, London |
| Best Performer in a Play | Daniel Monks for Teenage Dick at the Donmar Warehouse, London & Rachel Nwokoro for Little Baby Jesus at the Orange Tree Theatre, London | Khai Shaw for Little Baby Jesus at the Orange Tree Theatre, London |
| Best Performer in a Play | Daniel Monks for Teenage Dick at the Donmar Warehouse, London & Rachel Nwokoro for Little Baby Jesus at the Orange Tree Theatre, London | Bobby Stallwood for Faith, Hope and Charity at the National Theatre, London |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Shan Ako for Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, London & Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre, London | Lucy Anderson for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre, London |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Shan Ako for Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, London & Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre, London | Chase Brown for Mame at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Shan Ako for Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, London & Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre, London | Oli Higginson for The Last Five Years at the Southwark Playhouse, London |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Shan Ako for Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, London & Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre, London | Adriana Ivelisse for West Side Story at Curve, Leicester |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Shan Ako for Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, London & Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre, London | Tom Noyes for Preludes at the Southwark Playhouse, London |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Shan Ako for Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, London & Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre, London | Bethany Tennick for Islander at the Southwark Playhouse, London |
| Best Director | Martha Kiss Perrone for When It Breaks It Burns at the Battersea Arts Centre, London | Georgia Green for The Mikvah Project at the Orange Tree Theatre, London |
| Best Director | Martha Kiss Perrone for When It Breaks It Burns at the Battersea Arts Centre, London | Alex Sutton for Preludes at the Southwark Playhouse, London |
| Best Designer | Rose Revitt (set and costume) for Dr Korczak's Example at Leeds Playhouse | Liam Bunster (set and costume) for The Taming of the Shrew at Shakespeare's Globe, London |
| Best Designer | Rose Revitt (set and costume) for Dr Korczak's Example at Leeds Playhouse | Andrew Exeter (lighting) for High Fidelity at the Turbine Theatre, London |
| Best Composer or Lyricist | Jim Barne and Kit Buchan for The Season at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich and Royal and Derngate, Northampton | Jherek Bischoff for The Ocean at the End of the Lane at the National Theatre, London |
| Best Composer or Lyricist | Jim Barne and Kit Buchan for The Season at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich and Royal and Derngate, Northampton | Robbie Williams for The Boy in the Dress at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon |
| Best Writer | Temi Wilkey for The High Table at the Bush Theatre, London (in a co-production with Birmingham Rep) | Samuel Bailey for Shook at the Southwark Playhouse, London |
| Best Writer | Temi Wilkey for The High Table at the Bush Theatre, London (in a co-production with Birmingham Rep) | Mari Izzard for Hela at The Other Room, Cardiff |
| Best Writer | Temi Wilkey for The High Table at the Bush Theatre, London (in a co-production with Birmingham Rep) | Eleanor Tindall for Before I Was a Bear at The Bunker, London |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre | Shan Ako for Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre | David Mitchell for The Upstart Crow at the Gielgud Theatre |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre | Daniel Monks for Teenage Dick at the Donmar Warehouse |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre | Samantha Pauly for Evita at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre | Wendell Pierce for Death of a Salesman at the Piccadilly Theatre |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre | Aimee Lou Wood for Uncle Vanya at the Harold Pinter Theatre |
| Best Creative West End Debut | Femi Temowo (composer) for Death of a Salesman at the Piccadilly Theatre and for Three Sisters at the National Theatre | Fabian Aloise (choreographer) for Evita at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre |
| Best Creative West End Debut | Femi Temowo (composer) for Death of a Salesman at the Piccadilly Theatre and for Three Sisters at the National Theatre | Nadia Latif (director) for Fairview at the Young Vic Theatre |
| Best Creative West End Debut | Femi Temowo (composer) for Death of a Salesman at the Piccadilly Theatre and for Three Sisters at the National Theatre | Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Steven Levenson (composer, lyricist & book) for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre |
| Best Creative West End Debut | Femi Temowo (composer) for Death of a Salesman at the Piccadilly Theatre and for Three Sisters at the National Theatre | David West Read (book) for & Juliet at the Shaftesbury Theatre |
| The Stage Debut Awards 2022 | Winner | Nominees |
| Best Performer in a Play | Elisabeth Gunawan for Unforgettable Girl at Volia! 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) | Samuel Creasey for Book of Dust at Bridge Theatre, London |
| Best Performer in a Play | Elisabeth Gunawan for Unforgettable Girl at Volia! 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) | Kudzai Mangombe for Malindadzimu at Hampstead Theatre, London |
| Best Performer in a Play | Elisabeth Gunawan for Unforgettable Girl at Volia! 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) | Saba Shiraz for An Adventure the Octagon Theatre, Bolton |
| Best Performer in a Play | Elisabeth Gunawan for Unforgettable Girl at Volia! 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) | Tommy Sim’aan for Starcrossed at Wilton's Music Hall, London |
| Best Performer in a Play | Elisabeth Gunawan for Unforgettable Girl at Volia! 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) | Joe Usher for Rock / Paper / Scissors at Sheffield Theatres |
| Best Performer in a Play | Elisabeth Gunawan for Unforgettable Girl at Volia! 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) | Michael Workeye for House of Ife at the Bush Theatre, London |
| Best Performer in a Play | Elisabeth Gunawan for Unforgettable Girl at Volia! 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) | Dewi Wykes for Petula at National Theatre Wales |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Elijah Ferreira for Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Leeds Playhouse | Hugh Coles for Back to the Future at the Adelphi Theatre, London |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Elijah Ferreira for Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Leeds Playhouse | Ben Joyce for Jersey Boys at Trafalgar Theatre, London |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Elijah Ferreira for Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Leeds Playhouse | Bella Maclean for Spring Awakening at the Almeida, London |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Elijah Ferreira for Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Leeds Playhouse | Joe Pitts for Spring Awakening at the Almeida, London |
| Best Director | Monique Touko for Malindadzimu at Hampstead Theatre, London | Anthony Almeida for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Curve, Leicester |
| Best Director | Monique Touko for Malindadzimu at Hampstead Theatre, London | Alice Fitzgerald for Purple Snowflakes and Titty Wanks at the Royal Court, London |
| Best Designer | Rose Revitt (set and costume) for Dr Korczak’s Example at Leeds Playhouse | Liam Bunster (set and costume) for The Taming of the Shrew at Shakespeare's Globe, London |
| Best Designer | Rose Revitt (set and costume) for Dr Korczak’s Example at Leeds Playhouse | Andrew Exeter (lighting) for High Fidelity at the Turbine Theatre, London |
| Best Composer or Lyricist | TK Hay (set and costume) for An Adventure at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton | Caitlin Mawhinney (set and costume) for My Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored/Teechers Leavers at Leeds Playhouse/Hull Truck |
| Best Composer or Lyricist | TK Hay (set and costume) for An Adventure at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton | Liz Whitbread (set and costume) for Favour at the Bush Theatre, London |
| Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer | John Patrick Elliott for Cruise at the Duchess Theatre, London | Jordan Paul Clarke & Francesca Forristal for Public Domain at Vaudeville Theatre, London |
| Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer | John Patrick Elliott for Cruise at the Duchess Theatre, London | Lauryn Redding for Bloody Elle at the Royal Exchange, Manchester |
| Best Writer | Tyrell Williams for Red Pitch at the Bush Theatre, London | Kemi-Bo Jacobs for All White Everything But Me at the Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle |
| Best Writer | Tyrell Williams for Red Pitch at the Bush Theatre, London | Eilidh Loan for Moorcroft at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Jodie Comer for Prima Facie the Harold Pinter Theatre | Lizzie Annis for The Glass Menagerie at Duke of York's Theatre |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Jodie Comer for Prima Facie the Harold Pinter Theatre | Emilia Clarke for The Seagull the Harold Pinter Theatre |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Jodie Comer for Prima Facie the Harold Pinter Theatre | Hugh Coles for Back to the Future at Adelphi Theatre |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Jodie Comer for Prima Facie the Harold Pinter Theatre | Emma Corrin for Anna X the Harold Pinter Theatre |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Jodie Comer for Prima Facie the Harold Pinter Theatre | Sutton Foster for Anything Goes at the Barbican |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Jodie Comer for Prima Facie the Harold Pinter Theatre | Hannah Jarrett-Scott for Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) at the Criterion |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Jodie Comer for Prima Facie the Harold Pinter Theatre | Ben Joyce for Jersey Boys at Trafalgar Studios |
| Best Creative West End Debut | Julia Cheng (choreographer) for Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre, London | Tacita Dean (designer) for The Dante Project at the Royal Opera House |
| Best Creative West End Debut | Julia Cheng (choreographer) for Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre, London | Jack Holden (writer) for Cruise at the Duchess Theatre |
| Best Creative West End Debut | Julia Cheng (choreographer) for Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre, London | Yasmin Joseph (writer) for J'Ouvert at the Harold Pinter Theatre |
| Best Creative West End Debut | Julia Cheng (choreographer) for Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre, London | Isobel McArthur (writer) for Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) at the Criterion |
| Best Creative West End Debut | Julia Cheng (choreographer) for Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre, London | Rebekah Murrell (director) for J'Ouvert at the Harold Pinter Theatre |
| The Stage Debut Awards 2023 | Winner | Nominees |
| Best Performer in a Play | Elan Davies for Imrie at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff & Isobel Thom for I, Joan at Shakespeare's Globe, London | Bukky Bakray for Sleepova at Bush Theatre, London |
| Best Performer in a Play | Elan Davies for Imrie at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff & Isobel Thom for I, Joan at Shakespeare's Globe, London | Rita Bernard-Shaw for Trouble in Butetown at Donmar Warehouse, London |
| Best Performer in a Play | Elan Davies for Imrie at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff & Isobel Thom for I, Joan at Shakespeare's Globe, London | Natalie Blair for Spring and Port Wine at Octagon Theatre, Bolton |
| Best Performer in a Play | Elan Davies for Imrie at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff & Isobel Thom for I, Joan at Shakespeare's Globe, London | Rhian Blundell for Let the Right One In at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester |
| Best Performer in a Play | Elan Davies for Imrie at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff & Isobel Thom for I, Joan at Shakespeare's Globe, London | Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran for The Importance of Being Earnest at Leeds Playhouse and touring |
| Best Performer in a Play | Elan Davies for Imrie at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff & Isobel Thom for I, Joan at Shakespeare's Globe, London | Daniel Rock for Richard The Second at Omnibus Theatre, London and touring |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Jessica Lee for Miss Saigon at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Liv Andrusier for Ride at Charing Cross Theatre, London |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Jessica Lee for Miss Saigon at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Josh Barnett for Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Jessica Lee for Miss Saigon at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Arcangelo Ciulla for Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Jessica Lee for Miss Saigon at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Carla Dixon-Hernandez for Mrs Doubtfire at Shaftesbury Theatre, London |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Jessica Lee for Miss Saigon at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Drew Hylton for Unexpected Twist: An Oliver Twisted Tale at Royal and Derngate, Northampton and touring |
| Best Performer in a Musical | Jessica Lee for Miss Saigon at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Maisie Smith for Strictly Ballroom the Musical, Churchill Theatre, Bromley and touring |
| Best Director | Emily Ling Williams for A Playlist for the Revolution at Bush Theatre, London | Daniel Blake for Bones at Park Theatre, London |
| Best Director | Emily Ling Williams for A Playlist for the Revolution at Bush Theatre, London | Indiana Lown-Collins for The Solid Life of Sugar Water at Orange Tree Theatre, London |
| Best Director | Emily Ling Williams for A Playlist for the Revolution at Bush Theatre, London | Denzel Westley-Sanderson for The Importance of Being Earnest at Leeds Playhouse and touring |
| Best Designer | Andrea Scott (video) for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre, London | Carly Brownbridge (set & costume) for Agatha at Theatre503, London |
| Best Designer | Andrea Scott (video) for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre, London | Peter Butler (set & costume) for The Shape of Things at Park Theatre, London |
| Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer | Michael R Jackson for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre, London | Gerel Falconer for Alice in Wonderland at Brixton House, London |
| Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer | Michael R Jackson for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre, London | Jenny Moore for Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London |
| Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer | Michael R Jackson for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre, London | Lilly Pollard for Sugar Coat at Southwark Playhouse, London |
| Best Writer | Anoushka Lucas for Elephant at Bush Theatre, London | Sasha Hails for Possession at Arcola Theatre, London |
| Best Writer | Anoushka Lucas for Elephant at Bush Theatre, London | Lenny Henry for August in England at Bush Theatre, London |
| Best Writer | Anoushka Lucas for Elephant at Bush Theatre, London | Jennifer Lunn for Es & Flo at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff |
| Best Writer | Anoushka Lucas for Elephant at Bush Theatre, London | Richard Mylan for Sorter at Swansea Grand Theatre |
| Best Writer | Anoushka Lucas for Elephant at Bush Theatre, London | Zak Zarafshan for The Boys Are Kissing at Theatre503, London |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace | Emily Fairn for Brokeback Mountain at @sohoplace |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace | Mike Faist for Brokeback Mountain at @sohoplace |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace | Kyle Ramar Freeman for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace | Gabriel Howell for The Unfriend at Criterion Theatre |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace | Paul Mescal for A Streetcar Named Desire at Phoenix Theatre |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace | Zachary Quinto for Best of Enemies at Noël Coward Theatre |
| Best West End Debut Performer | Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace | Samira Wiley for Blues for an Alabama Sky at The National Theatre |
| Best Creative West End Debut | Tingying Dong (Sound Designer) for The Crucible at National Theatre and Gielgud Theatre and Rob Madge (Writer) for My Son's a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at Garrick Theatre and Ambassadors Theatre | Joe Bunker (Musical Director) for Operation Mincemeat at Fortune Theatre |
| Best Creative West End Debut | Tingying Dong (Sound Designer) for The Crucible at National Theatre and Gielgud Theatre and Rob Madge (Writer) for My Son's a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at Garrick Theatre and Ambassadors Theatre | David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts (SpitLip) (Composer, Lyricist & Book Writer) for Operation Mincemeat at Fortune Theatre |
| Best Creative West End Debut | Tingying Dong (Sound Designer) for The Crucible at National Theatre and Gielgud Theatre and Rob Madge (Writer) for My Son's a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at Garrick Theatre and Ambassadors Theatre | Michael R Jackson (Composer, Lyricist & Book Writer) for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre |
| Best Creative West End Debut | Tingying Dong (Sound Designer) for The Crucible at National Theatre and Gielgud Theatre and Rob Madge (Writer) for My Son's a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at Garrick Theatre and Ambassadors Theatre | Scott Le Crass (Director) for Rose at Ambassadors Theatre |