The nominees have been revealed for the annual awards ceremony which celebrates the best emerging theatre talent in the UK.
Rose Ayling-Ellis, Lenny Henry, Rob Madge and Carla Dixon-Hernandez
The Stage Debut Awards 2023 have announced their nominees. This year's 45 nominations across 8 categories celebrate a fantastic array of talented individuals from performers to composers and designers through to writers, lyricists, and directors.
Amongst this year's shortlist is the category Best West End Debut Performer category. This is the only award where the winner is voted for by the public. The nominees for this award include Paul Mescal (A Streetcar Named Desire), Zachary Quinto (Best of Enemies) and Kyle Ramar Freeman (A Strange Loop).
Comedian and performer Lenny Henry gets a first time writer nomination for August in England, the hit solo show he starred in. The play honored the 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation at the Bush Theatre. Rob Madge has also been recognised for their ground-breaking writing in My Son's A Queer, (But What Can You Do?).
The full list of 2023 Nominees are:
Best Performer in a Play (Sponsored by Cabbells):
Bukky Bakray for Sleepova at Bush Theatre, London
Rita Bernard-Shaw for Trouble in Butetown at Donmar Warehouse, London
Natalie Blair for Spring and Port Wine at Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Rhian Blundell for Let the Right One In at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Elan Davies for Imrie at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran for The Importance of Being Earnest at Leeds Playhouse and touring
Daniel Rock for Richard the Second at Omnibus Theatre, London and touring
Isobel Thom for I, Joan at Shakespeare's Globe, London
Best Performer in a Musical (Sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line):
Liv Andrusier for Ride at Charing Cross Theatre, London
Josh Barnett for Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London
Arcangelo Ciulla for Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London
Carla Dixon-Hernandez for Mrs Doubtfire at Shaftesbury Theatre, London
Drew Hylton for Unexpected Twist: An Oliver Twisted Tale at Royal and Derngate, Northampton and touring
Jessica Lee for Miss Saigon at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Maisie Smith for Strictly Ballroom the Musical, Churchill Theatre, Bromley and touring
Best Director (Sponsored by Arts Council England):
Daniel Blake for Bones at Park Theatre, London
Indiana Lown-Collins for The Solid Life of Sugar Water at Orange Tree Theatre, London
Denzel Westley-Sanderson for The Importance of Being Earnest at Leeds Playhouse and touring
Emily Ling Williams for A Playlist for the Revolution at Bush Theatre, London
Best Designer (Sponsored by Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL):
Carly Brownbridge (set & costume) for Agatha at Theatre503, London
Peter Butler (set & costume) for The Shape of Things at Park Theatre, London
Andrea Scott (video) for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre, London
Best Writer (Sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions):
Sasha Hails for Possession at Arcola Theatre, London
Lenny Henry for August in England at Bush Theatre, London
Anoushka Lucas for Elephant at Bush Theatre, London
Jennifer Lunn for Es & Flo at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Richard Mylan for Sorter at Swansea Grand Theatre
Zak Zarafshan for The Boys Are Kissing at Theatre503, London
Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer (Sponsored by Crossroads Live):
Gerel Falconer for Alice in Wonderland at Brixton House, London
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
Lilly Pollard for Sugar Coat at Southwark Playhouse, London
Best West End Debut Performer:
Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace
Emily Fairn for Brokeback Mountain at @sohoplace
Mike Faist for Brokeback Mountain at @sohoplace
Kyle Ramar Freeman for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre
Gabriel Howell for The Unfriend at Criterion Theatre
Paul Mescal for A Streetcar Named Desire at Phoenix Theatre
Zachary Quinto for Best of Enemies at Noël Coward Theatre
Samira Wiley for Blues for an Alabama Sky at National Theatre
Best Creative West End Debut (Sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment):
Joe Bunker (Musical Director) for Operation Mincemeat at Fortune Theatre
SpitLip (David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts) for Operation Mincemeat at Fortune Theatre
Tingying Dong for The Crucible at National Theatre and Gielgud Theatre
Michael R Jackson for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre
Scott Le Crass for Rose at Ambassadors Theatre
Rob Madge for My Son's a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at Garrick Theatre and Ambassadors Theatre
The winners will be announced at The Stage Debut Awards 7th awards ceremony on 1 October 2023. The event will be hosted by legendary drag artist, performer and singer Divina De Campo.
