On Sunday 29 September 2024, I attended The Stage Debut Awards. The Debut Awards highlight breakthrough actors, writers, directors, designers, composers/lyricists across 8 categories.
I had the amazing opportunity to meet the award nominees, guest performers, and hosts. I loved speaking with them, learning about their journey & their excitement to be part of this joyous ceremony!
Here are my interviews from the evening:
Joshua Ginsberg – Nominee for Best Performer in a Musical for ‘Cable Street‘
How does it feel to be nominated?
Joshua: It’s an honour. I’m so proud of this show and to be a part of it. I’m very happy to be here.
Would you mind telling us about Cable Street?
Joshua: It’s set in 1936 and is the story of three different communities. A time when Oswald Moseley’s British Union Fascists were on the rise. There was a battle on Cable Street to blockade the march. It’s a story of communities coming together to rise up and stand for what’s right.
Any advice for young, aspiring performers trying to make it into Musical Theatre?
Joshua: Just be patient and focus on your craft. Keep developing your skills. There can be a lot of rejection, you’ve just got to persevere.
Francesca Amewudah-Rivers – Nominee for Best West End Debut for ‘Romeo + Juliet’
How does it feel to be nominated?
Francesca: It feels great – I am very humbled to be in a room with so many amazing people who I’ve looked up to for the longest time. Especially now to be able to celebrate. It was a tough old job, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be like, “Yeah, I did that!” We did that – the community. It’s a win for all of us! It was all of us that got me through this. I couldn’t have done this without the community support. My fellow black creative communities. It’s amazing, I’m celebrating for all of us.
Any advice for aspiring creatives, particularly Black creatives?
Francesca: Make your own work. ‘Kola Nut’ (at Bush Theatre) was an experiment with West African storytelling and that was the beauty of that show. We were bringing our creative flexes into the space. Keep on working on your own thing, your own craft. Connect with your culture. That is what is going to carry you through. That is the secret ingredient! (laughs) That’s the sauce! It’s important. You’re not alone, it’s spiritual, it’s ancestral. We’re all behind you.
Daniel Bailey – Winner for Best Creative West End debut for ‘Red Pitch’
How does it feel to win ‘Best Creative West End debut’?
Daniel: It feels good. It’s good to be recognised for the work you do. And it’s about recognising all those that contributed to the show and made the show what it was.
How did it feel moving ‘Red Pitch’ from Bush Theatre to the West End
Daniel: I felt it needed the space to grow. I will always love it at the Bush, but I wanted us to be able to reach new audiences. It still felt like it kept its authenticity. It still kept its south London swag. It was good to come up in the West End and have us, unapologetically Black. Unapologetically from the ends in West End
Any advice for aspiring directors/creatives?
Daniel: Your unique selling point is you. There’s no one else that can be you, better than you. And that also applies to the work that you make. Bring yourself to it as much as you can. Don’t hide that part of yourself.
Azuka Oforka – Winner for Best Writer for ‘The Women of Llanrumney’
Congratulations! How does it feel to have won ‘Best Writer’?
Azuka: To win ‘Best Writer’, for your first play – I’d say it’s a dream come true. But I honestly didn’t dream of this. Just to be commissioned to write a story that you’re passionate about, is a dream come true.
Any advice for aspiring writers?
Azuka: Finish your plays. Consistency is really important. I’m 42 – and I made my debut at 42 years old. If I was consistent, I might have had an earlier debut (laughs). Finish the work, share the work, and hopefully you get feedback. Feedback helps you grow and become a better writer.
And how are you going to celebrate?
Azuka: I only sipped slowly on a glass of bubbly earlier, because I was nervous. Now, I’m going to sip quicker! (laughs)
The Winners in Full:
Best Performer in a Play (Sponsored by Theatrical Rights Worldwide):
● Ellie-May Sheridan for London Tide at National Theatre, London
● Louis McCartney for Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Phoenix Theatre, London
Best Performer in a Musical (Sponsored by Michael Harrison Entertainment):
● Jeevan Braich for Starlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London
● Grace Hodgett Young for Sunset Boulevard at Savoy Theatre, London
Best Director (Sponsored by Arts Council England):
● Sophie Drake for The Bleeding Tree at the Southwark Playhouse Borough, London
Best Designer (Sponsored by Preevue):
● Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom (video) for Sunset Boulevard at Savoy Theatre,
London
Best Writer (Sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions):
● Sam Grabiner for Boys on the Verge of Tears at Soho Theatre, London
● Azuka Oforka for The Women of Llanrumney at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer (Sponsored by Crossroads Live):
● Jack Godfrey for 42 Balloons at The Lowry, Manchester
Best West End Debut Performer (Sponsored by Noël Coward Foundation):
● Jack Wolfe for Next to Normal at Wyndham’s Theatre, London
Best Creative West End Debut (Sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment):
● Daniel Bailey (director) for Red Pitch at @sohoplace, London
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