To celebrate 25 years of The Stage 100, The Stage announces ‘The Stage 25: Theatremakers to watch out for in 2022 and beyond’, we are thrilled that it features our very own Artistic Director and Joint CEO, Abdul Shayek.
This new list from The Stage celebrates 25 individuals or partnerships tipped to become the future stars of the UK theatre industry.
First published in 1997, The Stage 100 traditionally reflects the 100 most influential people working in the theatre and performing arts industry. For 2022, following another year that has challenged theatre to its limits, they chose instead to look forward to celebrate those likely to leave their mark as the industry recovers.
The Stage 25 comprises 25 theatre makers The Stage believes will go on to great things over the next quarter-century and become stalwarts of future editions of The Stage 100. Some of those featuring in The Stage 25 are at the very beginning of their careers; others are more established. The only criteria for entry was that the individual must not have previously featured in The Stage 100.
Abdul Shayek said: “It is an honour to be recognised alongside this brilliant list of people. All possible due to the amazing team at Tara and the personal and professional support I have received. Feel very humbled. We have an exciting year coming up and this is a brilliant way for it to begin.”
The Stage 25 includes performers, producers, directors, designers, writers, theatre-makers of all different kinds. To compile the list, The Stage canvassed 50 industry experts along with senior theatre journalists. The suggestions were then considered by a judging panel made up of senior staff and writers who chose 19 of the 25 entries. The final six entries were personally championed by some of theatre’s highest-profile figures – former number ones from previous editions of The Stage 10.
The Stage describes Abdul as, “fast emerging as a key voice for the theatre sector – both on and off stage.” and states that, “There is a real depth of care in Shayek’s work, for communities, audiences, artists and the theatre sector.”
Read his full The Stage 25 profile here
With so much coming up in 2022 at Tara Theatre, we’re delighted to begin the year with such exciting news and look forward to bringing you another year packed with innovative theatre