ArtsEd is thrilled to celebrate the exceptional achievements of seven of our alumni, who have been nominated for the prestigious Black British Theatre Awards (BBTAs) 2024. These nominations are a testament to the extraordinary talent, dedication, and hard work of our graduates, who continue to make waves in the theatre industry.
The Black British Theatre Awards, first established in 2019, are the UK’s only awards celebrating the excellence of Black performers and creatives. Founded by Solange Urdang and Omar F. Okai, the BBTAs aim to shine a light on black talent, honour their accomplishments, and accelerate opportunities for black theatre professionals. With categories that span across acting, writing, and technical production, the BBTAs have become a vital platform for recognising the outstanding contributions of black artists in UK theatre.
This year, the ArtsEd family is incredibly proud to announce that seven of our graduates have been nominated for awards in a variety of categories, showcasing the breadth of talent nurtured within our school:
- Sedona Sky: Nominated for Best Graduate for her performance as Heather Duke in Heathers the Musical.
- Joshua-Alexander Williams: Nominated for Best Graduate and Best Supporting Male Actor in a Play for his role of Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet.
- Marley Fenton: Nominated for Best Supporting Male Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of The Tin Man in Wizard of Oz.
- Lucie Lutte: Nominated for Best Playwright for her original work Phone Killer.
- Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky: Nominated for Best Leading Female Actor in a Musical for her performance as Kathryn in Cruel Intentions.
- Ashley Campbell: Nominated for Best Supporting Male Actor in a Musical for his role of Jim in Just For One Day.
- Monique Jonas: Nominated for Best Dance Production or Performer for her role of Juliet in Romeo & Juliet
“We are incredibly proud of Joshua-Alexander and Lucie for their outstanding achievements and well-deserved nominations at the Black British Theatre Awards. Their dedication, resilience, and talent have shone through in their performance and creative work. Seeing our graduates receive such prestigious recognition is a testament to their training at ArtEd and hard work. We are excited to see them continue to thrive and make a lasting impact in the theatre industry.”
Kim Vithana, Director of the School of Acting at ArtsEd
“We are delighted to see so many of our graduates nominated in this year’s Black British Theatre Awards. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the amazing artists that their work is recognised and celebrated. We are particularly proud of the graduates from the School of Musical Theatre: Ashley Campbell, Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky, Marley Fenton and Sedona Sky. Congratulations to you all! It’s a joy that their work is recognised and that they are outstanding ambassadors for the School of Musical Theatre and ArtsEd.”
Jonathan O’Boyle, Director of the School of Musical Theatre at ArtsEd
The BBTAs celebrate not only the achievements of individual artists but also serve as a vital initiative to promote diversity, visibility, and opportunity within the UK theatre industry. The awards, which have previously been hosted by industry giants like Cynthia Erivo, Danny Sapani, and Giles Terera, stand as a crucial reminder of the importance of inclusion and representation in theatre. Each year, anyone can nominate their favourite performers or productions, with eligibility criteria ensuring that nominees are either British nationals or have resided in the UK for at least three years.
“We are incredibly proud of Monique Jonas and her nomination for the Black British Theatre Awards. Monique’s dedication, passion, and talent have shone brightly since her time at ArtsEd’s Day School & Sixth Form, and it’s inspiring to see her continue to achieve such remarkable success in the industry. She is a fantastic role model for our current students, and we wish her every success as she continues to make her mark in the world of dance and theatre.”
Natalie Bareham, Director of Performing Arts – DSSF at ArtsEd
At ArtsEd, we are proud of the diverse talent we help to develop, and it is thrilling to see our alumni being recognised for their contributions to the arts. These nominations reflect not only their individual brilliance but also the collective effort of the ArtsEd community to foster creativity, resilience, and excellence in our students.
The BBTAs continue to illuminate, celebrate, and accelerate the careers of black theatre professionals through new initiatives, including outreach programmes, workshops, and mentorships, aimed at securing a more equitable future for Black artists. With our alumni leading the way in these accolades, we are confident that their achievements will inspire future generations of performers and creatives at ArtsEd and beyond.
We wish Sedona, Joshua-Alexander, Marley, Lucie, Rhianne-Louise, Ashley and Monique the best of luck at the awards, and we look forward to continuing to support them as they grow in their careers.
