12 April 2019

 Since we share an office with Society of London Theatre, the curators of the Olivier Awards, the Stage One team help out every year in whichever what way we can... It's always a jam-packed evening and in the crowds we managed to bump into a few of our alumni. Here's just some of the people we caught up with!

  Laura Sedgwick: the Stage One Trainee Producer at Smith & Brant Theatricals. Before this she worked at OSO Arts Centre in Barnes, having spent time freelance producing and working at Theatre503.

‘The Oliviers was a great night, obviously because Come From Away did so well, but also just because it was a great celebration of theatre in London. Seeing various members of theatre royalty, getting to see performances from various shows, and being in the amazing Royal Albert Hall was all just reminder of how successful theatre in the West End is and how exciting it is to be even a small part of it’

Alex Turner: an independent producer supported by a Stage One Bursary and a Michael Grandage Company Futures Bursary. 

“Gently Down The Stream was my first independent production eligible for the Olivier Awards, which I co-produced with Robert Fox at the Park this year. Jonathan Hyde’s deeply moving performance was recognised in the Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre category."

"I was so proud to be there with a nominated show amongst such incredible work; just to be nominated for the Olivier's was a brilliant achievement and so well deserved for Jonathan.”

Thomas Moore: a producer, director and feminist based in Manchester, supported by the Stage One Bursary. He is currently represented on tour by Holmes & Watson Present: The Hound of the Baskervilles - The Hit Farce.

"Thanks to my wonderful mentor, I was lucky enough to attend the Oliviers this year and wow what a show. From Kenny Wax's inspiring speech at the top of the show to the range of diverse talent from our stages represented this year. The highlight of my night was the performance from SIX, a musical that I've followed from Edinburgh to the West End. Them Queens slayed me!"

Trish Wadley: an independent producer, Stage One Bursary recipient & Start Up Award winner and director of The Uncertainty Principle. She is also a founder of The Australian & New Zealand Festival of Literature & Arts (FANZA).

"Attending the Oliviers as a 2nd time nominee was a dream come true. I was incredibly proud that SOLT recognised The Wider Earth and its unique staging at the Natural History Museum and it felt like Groundhog Day returning there for the post awards party!

My favourite part of the evening is catching up with so many people I have worked with (including Best Actress Patsy Ferran) and meeting those I admire and hope to collaborate with one day! 

There is no way I would be in the room without Stage One, their support has kept me aiming high."

Siobhan Walsh: Stage One's Outreach Project Leader & Presenter Manager at this year's awards

‘I loved working backstage at the Olivier’s this year, such an insight into what goes on behind the scenes. So many people work so hard to put the show together, it’s such a rewarding experience especially when seeing the performances and what people have achieved. It is such an inspirational night, it just reminds you how much the industry has to celebrate.’