ABTT Awards – Submit a nomination

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 (since 2002) 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 send your nomination forms to the ABTT office at admin@abtt.org.uk in London and include your contact details and why you think the nominee would merit the award.

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:

1. They will be pursuing employment in one or more of the backstage, technical  and/or production management crafts and disciplines.
2. 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.
3. They will have used their working experience to further their mastery of their chosen discipline(s) or craft(s).
4. 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 send your nomination forms to the ABTT office at admin@abtt.org.uk in London and include your contact details and why you think the nominee would merit the award.

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:

1. Over the past 12 months they will have made a significant contribution to furthering environmental sustainability within the theatre industry.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 send your nomination forms to the ABTT office at admin@abtt.org.uk in London and include your contact details and why you think the nominee would merit the award.

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

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. They will have achieved a command of their chosen discipline.
4. They will have consistently delivered at a level of excellence throughout their career.
5. 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 and email to admin@abtt.org.uk

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.

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 and email to admin@abtt..org.uk

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.

Award Specification:

This award is made on an as and when basis and celebrates someone who goes the extra mile and makes an exceptional contribution to technical theatre.
The nominee does not need to be a member of the ABTT and can work in a professional or amateur role.
The award consists of a chrome plated BAHCO adjustable spanner mounted a hardwood plinth with an inscribed plaque
The recipient of the award will also receive 1 year free membership of the ABTT.

How to nominate:

Please send your nominations to the ABTT at admin@abtt.org.uk and include your contact details and why you think the nominee would merit the award.

More information on the Theatre Show Awards and how to nominate can be found here.

To nominate someone for a fellowship you can do so by emailing the ABTT Office with an explanation of who you wish to nominate and why you believe they should be given this recognition at admin@abtt.org.uk