SMA Awards 2026 Ally Pally June 03

Submitted by Andy Rowley on
 
In February we will open nominations for our 2026 SMA Awards, now in our 40th year!
Its time to start thinking about SMs and teams you have worked with between August 2025 and May 2026. 
We are looking for excellence and outstanding and unusual contributions to your shows. 
Neither you nor your nominee need to be SMA members. We welcome awards from everyone in our theatre and live events communities: casts, creatives, producers, directors, and all colleagues backstage including fellow SMs.  
The only nominations we don't except are self-nominations. Nominators cannot also be nominees! 
The awards to be announced will be:
Antonia Collins award for early career SMs -any theatre colleague can nominate 
SMA Team Excellence Award  -any theatre colleague can nominate 
Outstanding lndividual stage manager  - any theatre colleague can nominate 
Stage Managers’ Theatre of the year  Any stage manager can nominate their favourite theatre
We will also be seeking suggestions for the long list for the David Ayliff Lifetime Achievement in Stage Management Award
All nomination forms will be available online and can be submitted online.
In most categories there will be a Longlist and Judges will select nominations for the Shortlist.   The shortlist cut will be in the week of 13th April and nominators may be contacted for further  information and evidence to be submitted at this time prior to judging
Final Deadline for all nominations to be received is 15th May 2026 - but see shortlist cut info above.
Please include as much information as possible with your nominations, including evidence from colleagues, pictures and  programmes or reviews as appropriate

SMA Awards Ceremony will be at lunchtime on 3rd June 2026 as part of ABTT Theatre Show, Alexandra Palace, London N22 7.