The ALPD Awards for Excellence 2026

The Michael Northen Award for emerging Lighting Designers

This award is sponsored by Go Live Theatre Projects and Vectorworks

The winner of this award will receive a £500 voucher prize, a 512 ETC nomad™ Package, and 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 2024) 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 this award, your work will be publicly showcased through a series of press releases within industry media outlets including the ALPD’s bi-monthly journal; “FOCUS”.

Click here for further information.

 

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 Source Four Mini kindly supplied by ETC.

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

Whoever gets the most nominations will be the winner.

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.

 

The Anne Valentino Award for Excellence in Programming  

This award is sponsored by ETC and honours Anne Valentino’s contribution to programming and console design.

The winner of this award will receive an engraved Source Four Mini kindly supplied by ETC.

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

Whoever gets the most nominations will be the winner.

The criteria for nomination are as per the Fred Foster Award but for programming.