The Stage Debut Awards 2024 winners have been revealed during a prestigious ceremony at London’s 8 Northumberland Avenue, hosted in association with ATG Entertainment. This annual event celebrates emerging talent in theatre, shining a spotlight on individuals making their debut in the industry.

With notable stars such as Pearl Mackie, Alfred Enoch, and Stephen Mangan presenting awards, and RuPaul’s Drag Race star Divina De Campo as the evening’s host, the event honored the brightest new talents in theatre. From musicals like Starlight Express to plays such as The Woman of Llanrumney, the awards recognised an array of creative works and performances.

Here’s a breakdown of the winners across various categories.

Full List of The Stage Debut Awards 2024 Winners

Best Performer in a Play

Sponsored by Theatrical Rights Worldwide
Winner:

• Louis McCartney for Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Phoenix Theatre, London

• Ellie-May Sheridan for London Tide at National Theatre, London

Also Nominated:

• Deborah Ayorinde for Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White at Lyric Hammersmith, London

• Imogen Elliott for The Voice of the Turtle at Jermyn Street Theatre, London

• Kasper Hilton-Hille for That Face at Orange Tree Theatre, London

• Gareth John for Housemates at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

• Nadia Parkes for The House Party at Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester

• Taylor Russell for The Effect at National Theatre, London

Best Performer in a Musical

Sponsored by Michael Harrison Entertainment
Winner:

• Jeevan Braich for Starlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London

• Grace Hodgett Young for Sunset Boulevard at Savoy Theatre, London

Also Nominated:

• Scarlett Ayers for The Verge of Forever at The Other Palace, London

• Laura Dawkes for Frozen at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London

• Myles Frost for MJ the Musical at Prince Edward Theatre, London

• Joshua Ginsberg for Cable Street at Southwark Playhouse Borough, London

Best Director

Sponsored by Arts Council England
Winner:

• Sophie Drake for The Bleeding Tree at Southwark Playhouse Borough, London

Also Nominated:

• Ellie Coote for 42 Balloons at The Lowry, Salford

• Emily Foran for Little Women at Lyric Theatre, Belfast

Best Designer

Sponsored by Preevue
Winner:

• Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom (video design) for Sunset Boulevard at Savoy Theatre, London

Also Nominated:

• Ellie Koslowsky for Vegetables at a secret location, London

• Nadya Sayapina, Anastasiya Ryabova, Lidiia Dresch-Pyshna, and Dmytro Guk for King Stakh’s Wild Hunt at Barbican Theatre, London

• Skylar Turnbull Hurd for These Demons at Theatre503, London

Best Writer

Sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions
Winner:

• Sam Grabiner for Boys on the Verge of Tears at Soho Theatre, London

• Azuka Oforka for The Women of Llanrumney at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

Also Nominated:

• Martha Loader for Bindweed at Mercury Theatre, Colchester

• Harry McDonald for Foam at Finborough Theatre, London

• Hannah Morley for We Could All Be Perfect at Sheffield Theatres, Sheffield

• Anastasia Osei-Kuffour for Love Steps at Omnibus Theatre, London

Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer

Sponsored by Crossroads Live
Winner:

• Jack Godfrey for 42 Balloons at The Lowry, Salford

Also Nominated:

• Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab for The Enormous Crocodile at Leeds Playhouse, Leeds

• Nick Butcher and Tom Ling for The Little Big Things at @sohoplace, London

• Elvis Costello for Cold War at Almeida Theatre, London

Best West End Debut Performer

Sponsored by Noël Coward Foundation
Winner:

• Jack Wolfe for Next to Normal at Wyndham’s Theatre, London

Also Nominated:

• Francesca Amewudah-Rivers for Romeo and Juliet at Duke of York’s Theatre, London

• Will Close for Dear England at National Theatre, London

• Billy Crudup for Harry Clarke at Ambassadors Theatre, London

• Grace Hodgett Young for Sunset Boulevard at Savoy Theatre, London

• Toheeb Jimoh for Player Kings at Noël Coward Theatre, London

• Ed Larkin for The Little Big Things at @sohoplace, London

• Louis McCartney for Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Phoenix Theatre, London

Best Creative West End Debut

Sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment
Winner:

• Daniel Bailey (director) for Red Pitch at @sohoplace, London

Also Nominated:

• Jim Barne and Kit Buchan for Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) at Criterion Theatre, London

• Marcelo Dos Santos for Backstairs Billy at Duke of York’s Theatre, London

• Kip Williams for The Picture of Dorian Gray at Theatre Royal Haymarket, London

• Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt for Next to Normal at Wyndham’s Theatre, London

A Celebration of Emerging Talent

The Stage Debut Awards 2024 were a true celebration of new and emerging talent in the theatre industry. This year’s winners and nominees have displayed incredible creativity, skill, and passion, showcasing the future of theatre both in the West End and beyond. With recognition across acting, directing, writing, and design, the event highlighted the breadth of talent making their debut on the UK stage.

As these artists continue to hone their craft, the future of British theatre looks brighter than ever.