Nominations are now open for the Stephen Joseph Award 2026!

As an ongoing tribute to Stephen Joseph’s contribution to our industry, this Award recognises innovative and inclusive theatre excellence in today’s British theatre and celebrates the variety of ways contemporary theatre, and its practitioners continue to break new ground in engaging audiences.

For 2026 submissions, a wide variety of industry practice is eligible for nomination including:

– the ongoing work of a theatre company,

–  a specific production,

– a living individual theatre practitioner, or innovative theatre building or performance space.

Information on how to nominate

The Award recognises Innovation, Inclusion and Theatre Excellence and celebrates the many ways contemporary theatre-makers continue to break new ground in engaging their audiences.

Who and what are eligible for the Award?

Nominations can be for a living individual, 21^st century company or a non-traditional performance environment.  In each case the work produced or performance space submitted will have demonstrated or facilitated a creative and dynamic engagement between performance and audience.  Submissions are welcome from theatres and companies large or small, individuals or groups, those well-established or still emerging.

Submissions from artists/organisations who submitted in previous years but were unsuccessful are welcome to re-submit in 2026 so long as they make a fresh submission.

 What are the criteria?

The nominated individual, company or space is likely to have demonstrated excellence in some of the following areas:

• Innovation and flair in creating or supporting the theatrical experience.
• Work created for or facilitating non-traditional or adapted performance spaces.
• Creation of live theatrical events in which traditional barriers between actor and audience are removed or challenged.
• Breaking new ground in providing inclusive theatre opportunities for a wider range of audiences and performers.

NOTE: these are not exclusive categories and they do not preclude innovative work that goes beyond or crosses them.  They are given as pointers as examples of work that the award seeks to recognise and celebrate

 What evidence is needed?

This can be submitted as any combination of production photos, video clips, designs, newspaper or media reviews, and testimonials, etc.  You may wish to include a short list of websites/URLs, with a brief explanation of what is being included and what evidence these provide.

Who can nominate?

Anyone with a good knowledge of the nominee. This can include members of the theatre/company being nominated, the nominee themselves or a member of the public.  The individual nominating should also secure the support of the individual, company or performance space concerned before submitting the nomination.

 When do nominations close?

Monday 12^th October 2026

How to submit?

Send your nomination to the ABTT office at:  admin@abtt.org.uk  Please include:

• Your contact details;
• Details of the nominee, including their contact details and a short 250-word statement clearly explaining why the individual, company or performance space is being put forward for the award;
• A 250-word statement from a seconder: someone else with personal knowledge or experience of the work, person or performance space being nominated;
• Supporting evidence in digital form such as photos, video clips, design, reviews and testimonials.

When will the award be presented?

At the ABTT Christmas Party at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London, official date in December TBC.