LAMDA graduates win Best Performer at The Stage Debut Awards 2025
LAMDA is thrilled to celebrate recent graduates Hilson Agbangbe and Lucy Karczewski, who both won Best Performer in a Play at The Stage Debut Awards 2025.
Founded in 2017, The Stage Debut Awards are the only UK theatre awards dedicated to recognising breakthrough talent, celebrating actors and artists making their professional debuts across the performing arts. The annual ceremony, held in London, is one of the most anticipated events in the theatre calendar, spotlighting the next generation of stage talent across acting, directing, design and writing.
Hilson and Lucy both trained on LAMDA’s BA (Hons) Professional Acting course, graduating in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
At this year’s ceremony, Hilson was honoured for his beautifully poignant performance in Wonder Boy at the Bristol Old Vic, portraying a boy who struggles with a stammer. Lucy received her award for her captivating role as Diane in fictional '70s rock'n'roll biopic Stereophonic at the Duke of York’s Theatre, playing a sensitive young singer yearning to escape her controlling husband.
The pair was celebrated alongside an outstanding group of performers, including American actor Rachel Zegler for her West End debut in Evita.
Both Hilson and Lucy were scholarship ctudents during their time at LAMDA: Hilson was supported by the Carne Scholarship and Chelsea Arts Club Trust, and Lucy by the Leverhulme Arts Scholarship and the Vestergaard-Poulsen Scholarship.
We also want to congratulate MA Directing graduate Nathan Crossan Smith, who was shortlisted for Best Director for The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure.
LAMDA is incredibly proud of Hilson and Lucy. Their talent, dedication and individuality shone through during their training, and it’s wonderful to see them recognised so early in their professional journeys. We’re excited to see them make their mark on the industry, joining a long line of LAMDA alumni whose work is shaping the future of British theatre.
👉 Read the full list of winners on The Stage website.
👉 Read more about LAMDA's BA (Hons) Professional Acting course.
