About The Black British Theatre Awards
Illuminate | We shine a light on the breadth and depth of Black talent in the UK theatre industry.
Celebrate | We honour the accomplishments of Black performers and creatives. We articulate how essential their contributions are to the success of theatre in the UK and around the world.
Accelerate | We support the development of Black theatre professionals. We advocate for equity, visibility and opportunity throughout the UK theatre sector.
The UK’s only award show to celebrate the excellence and influence of Black performers and creatives within the UK theatre industry.
BLACK BRITISH THEATRE AWARDS NOMINEE SHORTLIST 2023
Creatives Group
BEST DIRECTOR AWARD
Denzel Westley-Sanderson, The Importance of Being Earnest – UK Tour
Matthew Xia, Actors Touring Company and Theatre Royal Stratford East
Mya Onwugbonu, Hear Me Now – Southwark Playhouse Theatre
BEST PRODUCER AWARD
Ben Quashie, Alice in Wonderland – Brixton House Theatre
Jazz Lintott and Frank Skully, Going for Gold – UK Tour
Shereener Browne, Pleasance Theatre and Seven Dials Playhouse
BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR AWARD
Ian Oakley, The Color Purple – UK Tour
Sean Green, Sylvia – The Old Vic Theatre
Sean Mayes, Mandela – The Young Vic
BEST CHOREOGRAPHER OR MOVEMENT DIRECTOR AWARD
Kloe Dean, Tambo & Bones – Actors Touring Company and Theatre Royal Stratford East
Mthuthuzeli November, Nina: By Whatever Means – UK Tour
Tinovimbanashe Sibanda, The Importance of Being Earnest – UK Tour
BEST OPERA PRODUCTION OR PERFORMER AWARD
April Koyejo-Audiger, The Magic Flute – UK Tour
English National Opera, Blue – English National Opera
Nadine Benjamin, Blue, – English National Opera
BEST DANCE PRODUCTION OR PERFORMER AWARD
Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black, Nina: By Whatever Means – UK Tour
Isabela Coracy, Nina: By Whatever Means – UK Tour
Tonyé Scott-Obené, I Am Here – UK Tour
Recognition Group (body of work)
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN AWARD
Joshie Harriette
Simeon Miller
Simisola Majekodunmi
BEST SOUND DESIGN AWARD
Rasaq Kukoyi
Tony Gayle
Xana
THEATRE DESIGN AWARD
Debbie Duru
Fay Fullerton
Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey
BEST PLAYWRIGHT AWARD
Adenike Ojo
David Alade
Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini
BOOK AND LYRICS AWARD
Gerel Falconer
Plays
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE ACTOR IN A PLAY AWARD
Bola Akeju, School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play – Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
Sasha Frost, Noises Off – UK Tour
Toyin Ayedun-Alase, Alice in Wonderland – Brixton House Theatre
BEST SUPPORTING MALE ACTOR IN A PLAY AWARD
Christian Alifoe, Sucker Punch – Uk Tour
Khai Shaw, Alice in Wonderland – Brixton House Theatre
Fode Simbo, Under the Kundè Tree – Southwark Playhouse Theatre
BEST FEMALE LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY AWARD
Aminita Francis, Family Tree – Uk Tour
Kibong Tanji, Recognition – Talawa Theatre Company
Toyin Ayedun-Alase, The Clinic – Almeida Theatre
BEST MALE LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY AWARD
David Alade, Sunny Side Up – Theatre Peckham
Gamba Cole, Housemates Returns: Chicken Burger N Chips – Brixton House Theatre
Jazz Lintott, Going for Gold – UK Tour
BEST NON BINARY PERFORMER IN A PLAY AWARD
Phoebe Campbell, The Importance of Being Earnest – UK Tour
Sam Crerar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare’s Globe
Travis Alabanza, Burgerz – Southbank Centre
BEST PRODUCTION – PLAY AWARD
Going For Gold – UK Tour
Tambo and Bones – Actors Touring Company and Theatre Royal Stratford East
The Importance of Being Earnest – UK Tour
Musicals
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Billie-Kay Payne, Annie the Musical, UK Tour
Charis Alexandra, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Aldwych Theatre
Irene Myrtle Forrester, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Aldwych Theatre
BEST SUPPORTING MALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL AWARD
Jay Perry, Sylvia, The Old Vic
Kylan Denis, Matilda the Musical, Cambridge Theatre
Kyrelle Lammy, Nativity: The Musical, Birmingham Repertory Theatre
BEST FEMALE LEAD ACTOR IN A MUSICAL AWARD
Elesha Paul Moses, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Aldwych Theatre
Heidi Williams, Matilda the Musical, Cambridge Theatre
Nicole-Lily Baisden, 42nd Street, Sadler’s Wells Theatre
BEST MALE LEAD ACTOR IN A MUSICAL AWARD
Caleb Roberts, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Aldwych Theatre
Michael Ahomka-Lindsay, Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
Owen Chaponda, The Lion King, The Lyceum Theatre
BEST NON-BINARY PERFORMER IN A MUSICAL AWARD
Alex Thomas-Smith, & Juliet, Shaftesbury Theatre
Claudia Kariuki, Six the Musical, Vaudeville Theatre
BEST MUSICAL PRODUCTION AWARD
Sylvia, The Old Vic
The Color Purple – UK Tour
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Aldwych Theatre
Achievement Awards
BEST RECENT GRADUATE AWARD
Charis Alexandra, ArtsEd
Jenna Bonner, ArtsEd
Leah Vassell, ArtsEd
BEST TEACHER AWARD
Billy Luke Nevers – British Theatre Academy
Erina Lewis, Platinum Academy
Nadine Kennedy Wood – NDC College
DISABILITY CHAMPION AWARD
Kyrelle Lammy
LGBTQIA+ CHAMPION AWARD
Claudia Kariuki
Daniel Jacob
Myles Hart
Outstanding Contribution Award and Lifetime Achievement Award
Yvonne Brewster OBE
The BBTAs reveal its star-studded Line Up:
- EMMANUEL AKWAFO – Olivier nominated actor best known for playing pitch in the For Black boys who considered suicide when the hue gets too heavy
- MERRYL ANSAH – Currently Appearing as Nala in Disney’s The Lion King
- RAKIE AYOLA – BAFTA winning film theatre and TV actress
- NICOLA BLACKMAN – Veteran West End Theatre and TV Actress. Current West End credit: Lyonesse
- JOSETTE BUSHELL MINGO OBE – Swedish Born Actor/Director
- SHAUN ESCOFFERY Currently appearing as Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King
- BRENDA EMMANUS OBE – Arts and Culture Broadcaster and Journalist
- MYLES FROST – 2022 Tony Award Winner for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance in MJ The Musical opening in London March 2024
- MATT HENRY MBE– Star of Drifters Girl
- LORD Dr MICHAEL HASTINGS OF SCARISBRICK CBE– Independent Peer
- CUSH JUMBO OBE – Actress, writer and Evening Standard Theatre Award Winner
- KANYA KING MBE – MOBO Awards CEO
- CEDRIC NEAL – Star of Kinky Boots in concert at The Drury Lane Theatre and currently starring in Guys and Dolls at The Bridge Theatre.
- OMAR F OKAI – International Director, Choreographer and Co -Director/Founder of BBTAs
- INDRA OVE – Stage, Film and TV actress
- JASON PENNYCOOKE Olivier Nominated for Hamilton and star of Moulin Rouge
- DANNY SAPANI – Killing Eve & Black Panther – appearing KING LEAR The Almeida Theatre opening in February 2024
- SADIE JEAN SHIRLEY – Currently appearing in Temptations Musical ‘Aint Too Proud’
- MZ KIMBERLY TATUM – Theatre and Film Actress and Trans Equality Activist
- KENNETH THARP CBE – Creative Consultant and Arts and Culture Leader
- CAST of TINA: Tina the Tina Turner Musical – Performing a spectacular medley
- LAYTON WILLIAMS – West End star & TV personality, currently appearing in Strictly Come Dancing
- SOLANGE URDANG – Educator – CEO of THE DANG & Co -Director/Founder of BBTAs
- Need to know: The Black British Theatre Awards takes place on Sunday 29 Oct 2023 at the National Theatre
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