The Stage Debut winners announced

This week was The Stage Debut awards and as per usual there has been a whole host of young performers taking the awards after taking to the stage - so, who won what and why? Let’s find out….

Best director

Sponsored by Smith and Williamson

Winner: Katy Rudd for The Almighty Sometimes at the Royal Exchange, Manchester

Best actor in a play

Sponsored by Audible

Winner: Akshay Sharan for The Reluctant Fundamentalist at the Yard Theatre, London

Best composer or lyricist

Sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment Group

Winner: Gus Gowland for Pieces of String at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester

Best actor in a musical

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Winner: Louis Gaunt for Oklahoma! at Grange Park Opera, West Horsley

Best actress in a play

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Winner: Gemma Dobson for Rita, Sue and Bob Too at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Best writer

Sponsored by InterTalent Rights Group

Winner: Andrew Thompson for In Event of Moone Disaster at Theatre503, 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

Best actress in a musical

Sponsored by R&H Theatricals Europe

Winner: Amara Okereke for Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre, London

The Joe Allen Best West End Debut

Winner: Aidan Turner for The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Noel Coward Theatre

What a selection! But how many of these winners are young performers? Well, you may be pleased to know that Akshay Sharan is a member of the National Youth Theatre, Louis Gaunt graduated from the Performers College in 2018, Gemma Dobson is a recent graduate from the Bristol Old Vic, Khadija Raza - who we interviewed recently - graduated from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (BA Hons Theatre Practice: Design for Stage, with First Class Honours); and Amara Okereke yet another graduate - this time from ArtsEd. 

It’s so promising to see so many young people coming out well in these awards - and given that they are specifically debut award, it means their careers are just starting and the best is yet to come!

All awards information and pictures taken from The Stage website.