top of page

Ballet Nights at The Stage Awards: A Celebration of Innovation

Olivia Godwin


Last Monday, the team at Ballet Nights had the immense honour of attending The Stage Awards at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre. Being one of three shortlisted for the Innovation Award, it was a huge milestone for us—not just as a recognition of our work, but also as the only dance organisation represented at the awards. To sit alongside such inspiring theatre companies and creatives from across the UK, the evening was incredibly exciting for everyone involved .



The Stage Awards; January 2025.
The Stage Awards; January 2025.

We were absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted. Ballet Nights was born from a vision of making ballet more dynamic, intimate, and engaging for both seasoned dance lovers and newcomers alike; with our first year and a half seeing 9 uniquely compèred variety programmes, platforming 109 artists and 71 acts, including 12 new commissions. To see our efforts recognised among some of the most exciting names in UK theatre was a testament to the impact we’ve had in a relatively short time.


The evening was inspring, hearing about some of the grounbreaking work being done by companies and venues such as Michael Harrison Entertainment, Nottingham Playhouse, and Synergy Theatre Project to name a few; all a reminder of the power of the arts to shape lives and communities., creating opportuities and shifting narratives. For us, being in that room was not just about celebrating our own achievements but also about recognising the wider arts landscape we are a part of. There was a palpable energy—an undeniable sense of creativity, resilience, and passion for pushing boundaries in performance and storytelling.



From left to right; Gavin McCaig, Chief of Operations for Fundamentally Dance; Bruce Steinberg, Senior Board Director; Jamiel Devernay-Laurence, Founder & Artistic Director of Fundamentally Dance; Janet Viola, Director of Lanterns Studio Theatre; Olivia Godwin, Producer for Ballet Nights; Alexis Prenn. Senior Board Director; Ross Freddie Ray, Director of International Development for Fundamentally Dance; James Chute, Former Head of Marketing for Fundamentally Dance.
From left to right; Gavin McCaig, Chief of Operations for Fundamentally Dance; Bruce Steinberg, Senior Board Director; Jamiel Devernay-Laurence, Founder & Artistic Director of Fundamentally Dance; Janet Viola, Director of Lanterns Studio Theatre; Olivia Godwin, Producer for Ballet Nights; Alexis Prenn. Senior Board Director; Ross Freddie Ray, Director of International Development for Fundamentally Dance; James Chute, Former Head of Marketing for Fundamentally Dance.

While we may not have taken home the trophy, the experience reaffirmed our mission: to continue innovating, championing artists, and making ballet more accessible and relevant for today's audiences.

The support and recognition from The Stage Awards fuels our drive to keep growing, evolving, and finding new ways to connect artists and audiences.


We couldn’t have reached this point without the incredible artists, collaborators, and audiences who have been part of our Story. This nomination belongs to all of you. Here’s to the future of Ballet Nights, Ballet, and Contemporary Dance continuing to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of the performing arts!

Comments


bottom of page