ABTT People Awards

The ABTT Awards are one of the Association’s flagship events and we are very pleased to be able to take the opportunity to acknowledge those people making a difference to our Industry!

Jennifer’s Carbon Literacy Course is absolutely outstanding. Created for the theatre industry the course, which is accredited by the Carbon Literacy Project, is packed with real world examples that are pertinent to the theatre professional. The course is bespoke and was described by a number of attendees as the best training that they have ever received. The amount of time and effort that has been put into this course is extraordinary, the detail impressive. Jennifer is acting where so many others are just talking, she is an example to us all and I urge everyone to sign up to the course, you will learn a lot and it will change how you make work.

Gemma Swallow, Technical Director National Theatre Scotland about ABTT Award for Environmental Sustainability Winner, Jennifer Taillefer

These Awards originally started in 1976 and were only hosted alongside the ABTT Theatre Show from 1984. The Awards have progressed from initially celebrating products to now celebrating the individuals in our Industry making a difference too. This includes, “Technician of the Year”, “Emerging Excellence” and the award for “Environmental Sustainability”.

These Awards are open to ABTT members and non-members alike, and celebrate those who are both well established in the Industry alongside those just starting out! If you know someone who’s achievements need to be recognised please do send completed nomination forms to the ABTT office at admin@abtt.org.uk by 12th May 2024.

Nominating for the ABTT Technician of the Year Award

The Technician of the Year Award is one of the most important accolades the Association bestows, as it recognises the achievement of an individual at the heart of their career but who consistently delivers technical excellence. Details on the Award specification and how to nominate below.

Open to ABTT members and non-members alike, recipients have usually pursued full employment in a backstage or production management role for at least 10 years and have predominantly worked on the presentation of live performance in places of entertainment or on theatrical experiences in non-conventional spaces.

Their qualities will include not only a mastery of their chosen discipline but also recognition as an expert practitioner by their peers, having achieved and promoted best practice throughout their career: in doing so they will have made a significant contribution to technical excellence in the delivery of world class performance.

This award recognises an individual who is in mid-career and has worked with an industry leading level of technical excellence at all times. This Award is usually presented annually at the ABTT Theatre Show Awards in June.

Award Specification

The recipient of the ABTT Technician of the Year Award will normally meet all the following criteria:

1. They will have been pursuing full-employment in a backstage or production management career for a minimum of 10 years.

2. They will have predominantly worked in the presentation of live performance in places of entertainment: i.e. on theatre, dance or opera productions in theatres and opera houses or on theatrical experiences in non-conventional spaces.

3. They will have achieved a mastery of their chosen discipline(s) or craft(s).

4. They will be an expert practitioner.

5. They will have consistently delivered at a level of excellence throughout their career.

6. They will have sought to promote best practice and technical excellence while delivering world class performance.

Previous winners include:

Adrian Bradley (2023)
Daniel Ewing (2022)
Sorcha Steele (2021)
Sarah Hemsley-Cole (2020)
Martin Chisnall (2019)
Malcolm Glanville (2018)
Charlotte Lockyer (2017)
Steve Huttly (2016)
Gavin Pell (2015)
Peter Lambert (2014)
Ben Sandford (2013)
Andy Brown (2012)
Alex Hitchcock (2011)
David Draude (2010)
John Tapster (2009)
Simon Stone (2008)
Othman ‘Hoffman’ McGregor-Read (2007)
Antony Bridges (2006, awarded posthumously)
Stuart Crane (2005)
Fraser Hall (2004)
Andy Voller (2003)
Nick Ware (2002)

How to nominate:

Please complete the ABTT Technician of the Year Nomination form and include any supporting information you wish to be considered . Once the form is completed please send to the ABTT office at admin@abtt.org.uk .

Nominating for the ABTT Award for Emerging Excellence

The ABTT Award for Emerging Excellence was added to our Awards in 2020 as we deemed it was necessary to recognise the achievements of individuals at the start of their career but who consistently delivers excellence in all that they do. Nominees can be working in ANY backstage role from lighting, costume management or production, automation, stage management, wigs, hair, makeup, sound, automation, props, production, set design and more! Details on the Award specification and how to nominate below.

The ABTT Award for Emerging Excellence is presented to anyone who from the moment of commencing to work in a technical or production role for the support of live performance established a reputation among their vocational network for excellence in all aspects of their conduct and delivery.

Award Specification

The recipient of the ABTT Award for Emerging Excellence will normally meet all the following criteria:

They will be pursuing employment in one or more of the backstage, technical and/or production management crafts and disciplines.
They will be predominantly working in the presentation of live performance in places of entertainment: i.e. on theatre, dance or opera productions in theatres and opera houses or on theatrical experiences in non-conventional spaces.
They will have used their working experience to further their mastery of their chosen discipline(s) or craft(s).
They will have consistently demonstrated excellence in the work they have undertaken.

Previous winners include:

Li Li Peberdy – Venue Technical Apprentice (2023)
Kat Ellis – Production Manager (2022)
Jessie Caie – Number 1 Automation Operator (2021)
Jamie Vella – LX technician (2020)

How to nominate:

Please complete the ABTT Award for Emerging Excellence nomination form and include any supporting information you wish to be considered . Once the form is completed please send to the ABTT office at admin@abtt.org.uk .

Nominating for the ABTT Award for Environmental Sustainability

The ABTT Award for Environmental Sustainability was added to our Awards in 2023 as we deemed it was necessary to recognise the achievements of those providing a significant contribution to furthering environmental sustainability within the theatre industry. Details on the Award specification and how to nominate below.

The ABTT Award for Environmental Sustainability is presented to someone who has made a significant contribution to furthering environmental sustainability within the theatre industry.

Award Specification

The recipient of the ABTT Award for Environmental Sustainability will normally meet all the following criteria:

Over the past 12 months they will have made a significant contribution to furthering environmental sustainability within the theatre industry.
Their contribution may be towards the creation of sustainable live performance productions; the sustainable development or management of a performance venue; or the sustainable operation of a theatrical company or organisation.
In addition to the direct improvements the individual’s contribution has achieved their success will have provided case studies, examples of good practice and/or resources available for the use of others.
The individual may have made their contribution at a level appropriate to the stage of their career.

Previous winners include:

Jennifer Taillefer (2023)

How to nominate:

Please complete the ABTT Award for Environmental Sustainability nomination form. Please include your contact details, the name and contact details of your nominee, and overview of the nominee’s contribution, why you think the nominee would merit the award and at least two supporting references to support your nomination.

Nominating for the ABTT Award for Costume

The ABTT Award for Costume was added to our Awards in 2024 as we deemed it was necessary to celebrate the role of specialists in this field and the creative contribution they make to the production process. Those we wish to celebrate will have delivered outstanding contributions through the departmental specialism of Costume in the roles of supervisor, associate and/or costume manager. Details on the Award specification and how to nominate below.

Award Specification

The recipient of the ABTT Award for Costume will have demonstrated the following attributes:

They will have attained consistent employment during at least 8 years in a costume management role such as costume supervisor, associate and/or costume manager (formerly known as head of wardrobe).
Their costume management experience will have been in the live performance sector: i.e. in theatre, dance, opera, theatrical experiences in non-conventional spaces, such as live music ceremonies, immersive theatre, and carnival.
They will have achieved a command of their chosen discipline.
They will have consistently delivered at a level of excellence throughout their career.
They will have sought to promote best practice and technical excellence amongst their team whilst contributing to the delivery of world class performance.

How to nominate:

Please complete the ABTT Award for Costume nomination form. Please include your contact details, the name and contact details of your nominee, and overview of the nominee’s contribution, why you think the nominee would merit the award and at least two supporting references to support your nomination.

Nominations the ABTT Award for Costume are invited from/for colleagues who are in an established stage of their career and have been credited or present themselves as supervisor, associate and/or costume manager.

Nominating for the ABTT Award for WHAM Design

The ABTT Award for WHAM Design was added to our Awards in 2024 as we deemed it was necessary to celebrate the role of specialists in WHAM and the creative contribution they make to the production process. The practices we wish to acknowledge include explorations of innovative uses of materials, tools and techniques as well as successful design methodologies that demonstrate diverse, inclusive and sustainable approaches to the WHAM discipline. Details on the Award specification and how to nominate below.

Award Specification

The recipient of the ABTT Award for WHAM Design will have demonstrated the following attributes:

They will have attained substantial successful professional experience of both practice and achievement in WHAM Design
They will have predominantly worked in the presentation of live performance in places of entertainment: i.e. on theatre, dance, musical or opera productions in performing arts venues or on theatrical experiences in non-conventional spaces.
Their practice will have provided evidence of appropriate methodology in progressing ideas, research and development for the styles and narrative of the design(s).
Their practice will have provided evidence of collaborative contributions with other live entertainment creatives and performers to realise collective production concepts. This would usually be with the director and stage, costume and lighting designers.
They will have created and realised cast specific designs that helped the performers to fully embody their characters in response to analysis of a script or score.

How to nominate:

Please complete the ABTT Award for WHAM Design nomination form. Please include your contact details, the name and contact details of your nominee, and overview of the nominee’s contribution, why you think the nominee would merit the award and at least two supporting references to support your nomination.

Nominations are invited from/for colleagues who are in an established stage of their career and have been credited or present themselves as wigs, hair and/or make-up designers, associates or innovators. They will be working with or leading teams of WHAM specialists to realise their vision throughout all production processes.

Nominating a Product for the ABTT Theatre Show Awards

The Association of British Theatre Technicians annual Theatre Awards take place in June every year at the annual ABTT Theatre Show. These Awards include “Engineering product of the year”, "Sound product of the year", " Lighting product of the year", "Widget product of the year" and "Stand of the Year".

How to nominate:

Product Awards are open to any company or individual whose products are substantially new to the market during the last twelve months and are available now for purchase, immediate delivery and use.

To be considered, all entries must be available for adjudication during the first day of the ABTT Theatre Show at London’s Alexandra Palace, either on their exhibition stand (if being exhibited) or hosted by one of the pre-registered exhibitors.

Please complete the ABTT Product Award nomination form and include any supporting information you wish to be considered by the jury members prior to the Show walk-round. Once the form is completed please send to the ABTT office at admin@abtt.org.uk.