We are now welcoming submissions for our Awards for Excellence for 2025.

This year, there are 3 awards being presented as part of the “ALPD Awards for Excellence” scheme. But as last year, only the Michael Northen award will be presented to early career lighting designers. The other two awards have been purposed as awards for professional production electricians and programmers awarded through a nomination process in which anyone can participate

The Michael Northen Award
This award is sponsored by Go Live Theatre Projects and Vectorworks

Michael Northen was the first credited Lighting Designer in the UK and his work on “The Mousetrap” can still be seen in the West End today.

The winner of this award will receive a £50.0 cash prize, a 512 ETCnomad™ Package, a Vectorworks licence for 12 months.  The winner will also receive a copy of Michael’s book – “Northen Lights”.

This is open for applications from current students (not just those on vocational theatre courses).  Affiliate members of the Association and recent graduates (who graduated no earlier than 2023) even if they are not currently a member, who have demonstrated strong, imaginative and creative lighting designs, detailed production documents or thorough programming files.

By taking part in this year’s awards, you are bringing you and your work to the attention of experienced lighting and video practitioners, as well as other industry professionals who are all on the judging panel. By winning one of these awards, your work will be publicly showcased through a series of press releases within industry media outlets including the ALPD’s bi-monthly journal; “FOCUS”.

Download information for the Michael Northen Award here.

The Fred Foster Award for Excellence in Production Electrics
This Award is sponsored by ETC and dedicated to the late ETC CEO, Fred Foster.

The winner of this award will receive an engraved trophy kindly supplied by ETC

This is open for nominations by anyone. Click here to nominate.

The criteria for nomination are:

They are pursuing full-employment in a production electrics career; they will have predominantly worked in the presentation of live performance in places of entertainment: i.e. on theatre, dance or opera productions in theatres and opera houses or on theatrical experiences in non-conventional spaces either in house or as a freelancer. They will have achieved a mastery of their chosen discipline. They will have consistently delivered at a level of excellence throughout their career. They will have sought to promote best practice and technical excellence while delivering world class performance. They will be a great collaborator. They will be worthy of recognition.

See further information about the Fred Foster Award and fill out the nomination form here.

The Anne Valentino Award for Excellence in  Programming
This award is sponsored by ETC

The winner of this award will receive an engraved trophy kindly supplied by ETC.

This is open for nominations by anyone.   Click here to nominate.

The criteria for nomination are:

They are pursuing full-employment in a production electrics career; they will have predominantly worked in the presentation of live performance in places of entertainment: i.e. on theatre, dance or opera productions in theatres and opera houses or on theatrical experiences in non-conventional spaces either in house or as a freelancer. They will have achieved a mastery of their chosen discipline. They will have consistently delivered at a level of excellence throughout their career. They will have sought to promote best practice and technical excellence while delivering world class performance. They will be a great collaborator. They will be worthy of recognition.

All winners will be invited to the annual Lighting Showcase at Royal Central School for lighting and production professionals within the live entertainment sector, where they will be presented with their awards.

This is a fantastic opportunity to meet and network with designers, chief and production electricians, engineers, programmers and of course suppliers and our sponsors.

Entries open on 1st May and all submissions and nominations MUST be received before the closing date – Thursday 31st October at Midnight!