Further information revealed for Stalls to Stage Awards 2026

This Spring, the second annual Stalls to Stage Awards will take place, with the Lyric Theatre confirmed for the event. For the first time, the awards will be open to a paying audience.

The awards, founded by Bri O’Reilly, celebrates excellence, community, and connection across theatre. The Stalls to Stage Awards were created to champion theatre makers, performers and creatives, with  a strong emphasis on accessibility and celebrating the wider theatre community. The 2026 ceremony marks a major milestone for the awards as they expand into the West End and welcome audiences into the auditorium for the first time.

On the news Bri O’Reilly commented: “I am thrilled to be able to announce that the Stalls to Stage Awards are happening at the Lyric Theatre this year. A big thank you to the wonderful team at Nimax, who have helped me get this second year off the ground. It’s beyond my wildest dreams that a little idea I had 18 months ago could have led to the West End. Community and connection is at the heart of all I do on Stalls to Stage, and ultimately, they’re what I love about theatre, so I am thrilled to be able to invite audiences to buy a ticket, come along and celebrate with us this year. I hope to see you all there.”

As part of the 2026 ceremony, two special awards will be presented to recognise extraordinary contributions to theatre in different ways:

The Gavin Creel Community Champion Award will honour the work of a person or group who has gone above and beyond to bring theatre to their community, celebrating impact, generosity, and grassroots engagement.

The Founders Spotlight Award will recognise an individual whose contribution to their craft over the past 12 months has been especially noteworthy, celebrating work that the founder believes will stand the test of time, shifting the art form and elevating those around them through exceptional quality.

The winners of both awards will be announced on the night.

Further announcements, including hosts, presenters, and special guests, will be revealed in the coming months.

Tickets for the 2026 Stalls to Stage Awards will go on sale on Monday, 19th January at 12 pm. Tickets are priced from £25, with the majority of tickets priced at £35. The event is open to audiences aged 16 and over. Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Further information can be found via nimaxtheatres.com/shows/stalls-to-stage-awards.