NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR
THE STALLS TO STAGE AWARDS 2026
London, 3 October 2025 – Stalls to Stage, an independent theatre hub is delighted to announce the nominations for the Stalls to Stage Awards 2026, which will return in the new year following a hugely successful inaugural ceremony.
Established to celebrate and diversify talent recognition in the industry beyond mainstream theatre awards, this year’s Awards will honour nominees across 26 categories. Between 1st October 2024 and 30th September 2025, professionally produced productions in all UK commercial and subsidised venues with a run of at least two weeks; and professional debuts, West End debuts, takeover performances, covers and alternates in those productions; as well as touring and concert productions were eligible for consideration by a panel of artists, creatives and theatre makers, the shortlist of which will then be voted upon by the general public.
The list of nominations in full and information on eligibility is available here.
Voting is now open at stallstostage.co.uk/vote – audiences are invited to cast their votes online before 10th December 2025 at 11:59pm UK time.
Details for the ceremony including date, venue and ticket information are to be announced.
The National Theatre leads the lineup for this year with a record-breaking 23 nominations, representing talent across its productions on the South Bank and in the West End – including 9 nominations for the global sensation Hadestown which continues at the Lyric Theatre.
Producing powerhouse Chichester Festival Theatre breaks through the regional scene with 18 nominations, including its acclaimed revival of Oliver! which continues to play in the West End, its recent summer musical Top Hat currently dazzling audiences on tour, as well as The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry due to transfer to the West End next year.
Donmar Warehouse’s eclectic programme earns 9 nominations across both musicals and plays, with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Stratford East both holding 8 nominations each; elsewhere across the country, the Made At Curve and Room On Your Own production of Kinky Boots heads up the touring category with 7 nominations, ahead of strutting into the London Coliseum next spring.
Alongside production honours, leading and supporting performances, creative contributions and design, the Awards aim to recognise talent beyond mainstream theatre awards with further categories for casting, debut performances, takeovers, swings, covers, alternates and WHAM (Wigs, Hair and Make-Up) as part of a wider call for inclusion.
The Gavin Creel Community Champion Award spotlights a person or organisation who has gone above and beyond tokenistic representation to support, champion and increase opportunities for specific communities – its winner, selected by the Founder, will be revealed on the night.
Speaking on today’s nominations announcement, Founder and Director of Stalls to Stage Bri said,
The first year of the Stalls to Stage Awards was a truly joyous experience, and it has touched me to see how much it meant to those nominated and celebrated to have been part of something new, with community at the centre. I am beyond excited to share the nominees for our second year of Awards.
It’s been an incredible year of theatre right across the country, and I hope people feel these nominations reflect that. I am also thrilled to be including new categories like Best WHAM, Best Choreography, and Best Costume Design to move us closer to our goal of being the biggest, most inclusive celebration of UK Theatre. Congratulations to all nominees and thank you for your work!’
The Stalls to Stage Awards 2026 is presented by Stalls to Stage.