The Stage has announced that the entire, award-winning cast of For Black Boys…will host The Stage Awards 2023, in association with Tysers Insurance Brokers.
The six-strong ensemble will host the ceremony on January 30 at the iconic West End theatre, Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London.
Mark Akintimehin, Emmanuel Akwafo, Nnabiko Ejimofor, Darragh Hand, Aruna Jalloh and Kaine Lawrence were collectively awarded Best Performer in a Play at The Stage Debut Awards 2022 for their performances in For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy at the Royal Court/ New Diorama. This was the first time the award was given to an ensemble of performers rather than an individual. The same production won Best Production Play Award at the Black British Theatre Awards in October 2022.
In addition, the award-winning actor Elijah Ferreira will also perform at the ceremony. Elijah Ferreira won Best Performer in a Musical at The Stage Debut Awards 2022 for Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Leeds Playhouse.
On hosting The Stage Awards, Emmanuel Akwafo said “I am absolutely elated to be hosting the awards with the For Black Boys family, this is a magical moment for me to be on the other side. It’s so important to shine a light and to acknowledge all the achievement we had this year in theatre.”
On performing at The Stage Awards, Elijah Ferreira said “I’m incredibly excited to be a part of this. The Debut Awards was such a beautiful experience and I’ll hold that evening very dearly for the rest of my life. I’m really very honoured to be given the privilege of being in these rooms with all of these incredibly talented people and to be a part of honouring their work, after having had mine recognised in the wonderful way that it was.’
The Stage Awards launched in 2010 to recognise and celebrate the full scope of excellence in British theatre. It has recognised 95 winners over the years, from national theatres and large-scale organisations to youth theatre and international touring companies.
They include categories for Theatre of the Year, sponsored by Cabbells, Community Project of the year, sponsored by Evolution Productions and International Award, sponsored by Concord Theatricals.
Former winners have included Sonia Friedman Productions, Battersea Arts Centre, Leeds Playhouse, ATG Productions, Theatr Clwyd and Nica Burns, as well as theatre technicians, casting directors and understudies.
For more information about The Stage Awards visit thestage.co.uk/awards/the-stage-awards
