ABTT announce 2025
People Award Winners! |
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What an evening to remember! On June 4th, the ABTT Theatre Show came alive at Alexandra Palace in London with the thrilling Annual Awards hosted by the Association of British Theatre Technicians. This event is a major highlight, showcasing the amazing contributions people in our industry have been making to theatre and live events. Thanks to our generous sponsor, TAIT, attendees enjoyed refreshing drinks that fueled the excitement. With a packed house and a buzz in the air, we celebrated the remarkable talents driving the future of the industry! |
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Figure 1: An appreciative audience celebrate winners' at the ABTT Awards |
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Ted Moore, Director at TAIT said of the Awards: “TAIT are really proud to be here once again to sponsor the ABTT Awards, which I truly believe is one of the best award presentations anywhere in our industry. We wish all the nominees good luck and give congratulations to whoever the winners may be.”
The highly sought after People Awards included the ‘ABTT Technician of the Year’, the ‘ABTT Award for Emerging Excellence’ and the ‘ABTT Cmyru Nick Bache Technician of the Year Award’ which all recognise the achievements of individuals both starting out and well-established in their backstage careers.
These sat beside the ‘ABTT Award for Environmental Sustainability’ which is presented to someone who ‘over the past 12 months has made a significant contribution to furthering environmental sustainability within the theatre industry, the ‘ABTT Costume Award’ and ‘ABTT Award for WHAM Design’ (Wigs, Hair & Make-up) which celebrate these specialists in their field.
The Jury, made up of an experienced group of working practitioners and industry peers, made the following awards: |
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ABTT Technician of the Year Winner:
Dan Saddington |
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Figure 2 ABTT Award the Technician of the Year 2025, Dan Saddington (right) and ABTT CEO, Liz Sillett (left) |
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Judges’ comments: “Our winner was nominated for their superb stagecraft and unflagging enthusiasm as well as their ability to bring the best out of a diverse team.
As well as rebuilding core stagecraft skills, in their current venue they have overseen the introduction of Circus Rigging, Automation and Motion Control techniques and encouraged training and development across their team.
This person has been instrumental in rebuilding their venue’s Stage Team since Covid and under their leadership, the WNO stage & rigging team may have reduced in size but it has grown exponentially in capability.”
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Dan Saddington, Head of Stage at Welsh National Opera and the ABTT Technician of the Year Winner 2025 stated: “I’m honoured to receive this award from ABTT. It reflects the hard work our team puts into every season at WNO, and I’m grateful for the recognition on behalf of the whole department.” |
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ABTT Cymru Nick Bache Award for Technician of the Year: Sean Jones |
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Figure 3 ABTT Cymru Nick Bache Award for Technician of the Year 2025 winner, Sean Jones (right) and ABTT CEO Liz Sillett (left) |
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Judges’ comments: “This person has consistently demonstrated a high level of technical skill, professionalism, and dedication to their work. Their wide skill base includes a strange passion for networking and Ip addresses...with recent works of Operation Julie, Fairytale of New York, and Design in Disneyland Paris. Their ability to collaborate with performers, directors, and other crew members is instrumental as well as their knack for adapting to live event mishaps. One of the things that sets them apart is their proactive attitude and calmness, even under tight deadlines. A dependable team member who goes above and beyond to ensure every production runs smoothly.” |
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Sean Jones, Freelancer and the ABTT Cymru Nick Bache Award Winner 2025 stated: “I’m beyond grateful to have won such a great award in honour of such an amazing man” |
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ABTT Award for Emerging Excellence Winner: Jade Lam |
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Figure 4: ABTT Award for Emerging Excellence 2025 winner, Jade Lam (right) and ABTT CEO Liz Sillett (left) |
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Judges’ comments: “The winner of this award is a remarkable arbiter of their craft, an extraordinary example of what is great about our industry and an exemplary beacon for all future theatrical technical personnel who are looking to join our industry. This person embodies our industry’s values of creativity, inclusion and opportunity. Many people get into the creative industries to inspire others, and this person is at the front line of inspiration. They are inspired by the art they present and they effortlessly communicate that inspiration to others. The person nominating stated that ‘They truly are an emerging backstage talent and they hope this nomination is the first of many.” |
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Jade Lam, Stage and Automated Flys Technician at Sadler’s Wells and the Emerging Excellence Award Winner 2025 commented: “To be nominated was an honour in itself, but to win is truly incredible. Being recognised for the work, the countless hours put in to become a better technician, to build a better industry, and to pave the way for others just like me — it’s more than just an honour. It’s a lasting legacy. To the ABTT, my nominators, and my entire support network, I cannot thank you enough! No woman is an island — it really does take a village! I wouldn’t be here without you!"
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ABTT Award for Environmental Sustainability Winner: Ria Tubman |
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Figure 5 ABTT Award for Environmental Sustainability Winner 2025, Ria Tubman (right) and ABTT CEO, Liz Sillett (left) |
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Judges’ comments: “The winner of this Award has been a production manager in theatre for over 20 years specialising in production managing sustainable theatre and working with the Theatre Green Book. This person leads sustainably across their venues building as well as all productions, leading significant sustainable changes, often tackling difficult challenges and inspiring her team along the way. They recently hosted the Minister for Net Zero, Kerry McCarthy, in a meeting with Theatre Green Book and the National Theatre to discuss the theatre's sector’s progress in sustainability. They also produced a 'Greening Productions Policy' from 2020, predating the Theatre Green Book showing just how long they have been a pioneer and leader in this area.”
Ria Tubman, Technical and Production Director at Unicorn Theatre and the Environmental Sustainability Winner 2025 commented: “I’m hugely honoured to receive this award. I want to thank the whole team at the Unicorn Theatre who make our sustainability work possible. I will continue to focus my work on sustainability within our industry and to work with my peers to make sustainable practices possible.” |
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ABTT Award for Costume Winner: Loz Tait |
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Figure 6: ABTT Costume Award Winner 2025, Loz Tait (right) and ABTT CEO, Liz Sillett (left) |
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Judges’ comments: “The winner of this award has had a varied career working in props, costume and stage management, before turning their focus to Costume Management and supervision. They are a champion of getting young people into theatre costume, and have been a huge supporter of work experience and their venue’s youth theatre scheme. They are particularly interested in nurturing the talent of people who might not be able to access traditional or university theatre training for a variety of reasons. One of the nominators stated that “this person is a delight to work with and an exceptional manager, approaching working with everyone in an open hearted and cheerful way. They lead by example and would never ask anyone to do anything that they would not do themselves. ”
Loz Tait, Head of Costume at Chichester Festival Theatre and the Costume Award Winner 2025 commented: “Theatre is such a process built on teamwork and collaboration that to be singled out for doing what I love feels very humbling,wonderful and overwhelming. My achievements would not be possible without all the talented and dedicated Supervisors, Makers, Running Wardrobe and WHAM teams I have had the pleasure of working with over the years.” |
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ABTT Award for WHAM Design Winner: Carole Hancock |
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Figure 7: ABTT Freelance WHAM Artist Helen Diana Wake (right) collecting the ABTT WHAM Design Award 2025 on behalf of the winner, Carole Hancock. Pictured with ABTT CEO Liz, Sillett (left). |
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Judges’ comments: “This winner has worked in the industry for over 30 years and their reputation often proceeds them. Their work can be seen on stage and screen with a back catalogue of 3 decades of creativity and expertise. They are one of the highest skilled WHAM experts in the UK, and are a true all rounder, never stopping short of perfection and always with a holistic approach to the production as a lived experience for all involved. To quote one of their nominators “This persons work is an example of excellence that sets standards for aspiring WHAM Artists across the world of live entertainment”
Carole Hancock, Wigs Hair and Make-up at HUM studio and the WHAM Design Award Winner 2025 commented: “I’m so thrilled and honoured to receive this award. Thank you to ABTT for having this award as part of the event. It is wonderful to have recognition for WHAM design in the industry. It’s an integral part of the storytelling process. Thank you so much to all those who voted for me and of course to all the WHAM teams who support my design process.”
ABTT Theatre Show Manager, Elysia Moore added, “A huge congratulations to all of our winners this year. It is the ABTT’s privilege to be able to recognise all the amazing people making such a difference to our industry. We are always striving to put those backstage at the forefront, acknowledging all they do to create successful live events. If you know someone who needs to be recognised, please do make sure to put them forward for acknowledgement next year at the ABTT Awards which will be running on the first day of the ABTT Theatre Show on Wednesday 3rd June 2026!”
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Congratulations to all the above winners! |
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