THE STAGE DEBUT AWARDS 2026 winners announced
Winners of The Stage Debut Awards 2026, in association with Netflix, were revealed last night at a star-studded ceremony at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, celebrating the performers and creatives making standout professional and West End debuts across UK theatre.
This year’s nominations across eight categories celebrated performers, composers, designers, writers, lyricists and directors whose breakthrough work premiered on stages across the UK.
The 2026 ceremony marked the ninth edition of The Stage Debut Awards since their inception in 2017, ahead of the awards’ 10th anniversary in 2027.
THE WINNERS IN FULL
Best Performer in a Play (sponsored by Encore)
Robert Aramayo for Guess How Much I Love You? at the Royal Court Theatre, London
Zoë Armer for The Virgins at Soho Theatre, London
Best Performer in a Musical (sponsored by Michael Harrison Entertainment)
Julianne Pundan for Miss Saigon at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, and touring
James Spence for Thespians at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, and touring
Best Writer (sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions)
Georgie Dettmer for Are You Watching? at the Royal Court Theatre, London
Best Director
Tommaso Giacomin for The Uncontainable Nausea of Alec Baldwin at the New Diorama Theatre, London
Best Designer (sponsored by Preevue)
Natalie Roar (costume design) for Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre, London
Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer (sponsored by Theatrical Rights Worldwide)
Jordan Luke Gage (book, music, lyrics) for Redcliffe at Southwark Playhouse Borough, London
Best Creative West End Debut (sponsored by Jamie Wilson Productions)
Ava Pickett (writer) for 1536 at the Ambassadors Theatre
Best West End Debut Performer
Sadie Sink for Romeo and Juliet at the Harold Pinter Theatre
The Stage’s reviews editor and co-chair of the judging panel, Sam Marlowe, said: “This year’s winners represent a truly exciting range of fresh talent - artists making their mark, bringing us work that speaks to our present moment and enriches and advances theatre as an art form. Their energy and vision are bound to ensure that the stage remains a vibrant, socially and culturally significant creative space.”
Congratulations to all of the winners and nominees!