The Winners of the 2026 Bridget Casse Award for Excellence in Theatre
/
On Sunday 13th September tutors from Next Stage welcomed members of Next Stage Youth to the theatre for the start of their Autumn Term of afternoon sessions. September sees the 32nd birthday of Bath's leading company of youth actors which was started in 1994.
During Sunday's session the Bridget Cassé Award for Excellence in Youth Theatre was awarded. Each year since 2010, the Next Stage Youth tutors have nominated youth members for this prestigious award set up in memory of a talented Next Stage actress - Bridget Cassé - who had been a Youth tutor until her untimely death. The trophy is given to somebody who has shown theatrical talent, enthusiasm, a willingness to help out, and a positive attitude towards fellow members.
Willow Adams was the 2026 Winner, Juliet Seville-Stanbridge Runner-Up and Mabel Hughes was Highly Commended. One of NSY’s tutors, Tania Lyons had this to say to this year’s winners:
“Although talent plays a huge part in theatre, so does growing and listening as an actor, taking risks and allowing yourself to be open-minded to being completely silly and just having fun in performance. That’s what theatre is about.”
Congratulations to one and all, who flew the Next Stage flag high this weekend for creativity and theatrical excellence.
