The Stage Debut Awards shortlist 2026
RADA graduate Tommaso Giacomin (MA Theatre Lab, 2022) has been nominated for Best Director at The Stage Debut Awards for his production The Uncontainable Nausea of Alec Baldwin, joining a shortlist that also includes fellow RADA graduate Ralph Fiennes, recognised for his directorial debut of As You Like It at Theatre Royal Bath.
Tommaso's nomination follows the success of his production, which premiered at the Voila! Festival in 2025 before transferring for a two-week run at New Diorama Theatre earlier this year.
The Stage Debut Awards celebrate emerging theatre-makers making an outstanding professional impact in the industry. Since launching in 2017, the awards have recognised some of the UK's most exciting new talent across directing, performance, writing, design and composition.
The nomination follows previous success for graduates of RADA's MA Theatre Lab programme. In 2022, Elisabeth Gunawan won the Stage Debut Award for Best Performer for Unforgettable Girl. Originally developed while training at RADA, the production went on to enjoy further life beyond the Academy, including performances across London and recognition at the OffFest Awards.
Tommaso's nomination is the latest example of RADA graduates receiving recognition from one of the theatre industry's leading awards schemes, highlighting the contribution of alumni working across directing, performance and new theatre-making.
The awards ceremony takes place on 13 September.
