Applications for the ALPD Awards for Excellence 2026 now open

Applications are open for the ALPD Awards for Excellence 2026.  There are three categories; Lighting Design, Production Electrics and Programming, with each of the fantastic prize bundles being tailored to the specific needs of that speciality.  The Michael Northen Lighting Design Award is by application; the candidates for the Fred Foster Production Electrician Award and the Anne Valentino Award for Excellence in Programming are by nomination. The ALPD encourages lighting professionals who work alongside a production electrician or programmer whom they consider to be exceptional and worthy of recognition, to nominate them.   There are full details on the ALPD website at www.thealpd.org.uk/the-alpd-awards-for-excellence-2026.

The Michael Northen Award
This award is sponsored by the Go Live Theatre Projects (previously the Mousetrap Foundation) and ETC.   The winner of this award will receive a £500 voucher prize, and a 512 ETC nomad™ Package. The winner will also receive a copy of Michael’s book – “Northen Lights”.

Applications are welcome from current students (not just those on vocational theatre courses), Affiliate members of the ALPD, 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.

The Fred Foster Production Electrician Award
This Award is sponsored by ETC and dedicated to the late ETC CEO, Fred Foster.

The winner of this award will receive an engraved trophy sponsored by ETC

In a change to previous years this award is open to nominations rather than applications. Nominees will be 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 dedicated to Anne Valentino, who has been a key contributor to console development and design for both Strand and ETC.

The winner of this award will receive an engraved trophy sponsored by ETC

The criteria for nomination are:

They will have been pursuing full-employment as a programmer; 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 Awards will be presented at the RCSSD/ALPD New Technology Showcase in January 2027.

Further Information, terms and conditions and details of how to apply are available on the ALPD website at: www.thealpd.org.uk/the-alpd-awards-for-excellence-2026

All submissions for the Michael Northen Award MUST be received by midnight on the closing date – Thursday 31st October.

Nominations for the Fred Foster and the Anne Valentino Awards must be received by 6 pm on Wednesday 16^th December.