The JMK Trust are pleased to announce the eight shortlisted candidates for the 2023 JMK Director Award in partnership with the Orange Tree Theatre. The winner will be announced on Friday 21st April at an industry event and the production takes place this Autumn.
Each year, we received well over a hundred applications for this unique and rare opportunity for an emerging director to stage their first full-scale professional production at an acclaimed London theatre. We are pleased to introduce the eight shortlisted candidates:
- Sam Hardie (she/her) with her production of The Girlfriend Experience by Alecky Blythe. Designer: Christine Ting-Huan Urquhart (she/her)
- Tash Hyman (they/them) with their production of Midsummer by David Greig & Gordon McIntyre. Designer: Anna Orton (she/her)
- Leian John-Baptiste (he/him) with his production of Meetings by Mustapha Matura. Designer: Natalie Pryce (she/her)
- Fay Lomas (she/her) with her production of My Mother Said I Never Should by Charlotte Keatley. Designer: Anna Kezia Williams (she/her)
- Hana Pascal Keegan (she/her) with her production of My Mother Said I Never Should by Charlotte Keatley. Designer: Georgia de Grey (she/her)
- Kalungi Ssebandeke (he/him) with his production of Meetings by Mustapha Matura. Designer: Olivia Jamieson (she/her)
- Sarah Stacey (she/her) with her production of The Girlfriend Experience by Alecky Blythe. Designer: Anna Kelsey (she/her)
- Laura Wooff (she/her) with her production of Midsummer by David Greig & Gordon McIntyre. Designer: Jen McGinley (she/her)
Pictured top left to right: Hana Pascal Keegan, Fay Lomas, Tash Hyman
Middle left to right: Leian John-Baptiste, Sarah Stacey
Bottom left to right: Sam Hardie, Laura Wooff, Kalungi Ssebandeke
Stephen Fewell, Chair of the JMK Trust, said: “Thanks to ongoing, loyal support from our funders, we’re delighted to be announce a shortlist of eight stunning directors from around the country, and the talented designers they’ve collaborated with. At a time when opportunities are hard to come by for both established and early career artists, we’re facing a considerable challenge in choosing only one team- they are all highly deserving of career success. We hope that by announcing this shortlist, they will attract interest and work opportunities over the coming months. Of course, the winner receives £25,000 towards their production and the valuable support of our host venue The Orange Tree Theatre, who have already supported winners Tristan Fynn- Aiduenu, Diane Page and Indiana Lown-Collins to great success.”
