Profile Awards Announced in London Ceremony

	Richard Pilbrow Lifetime Recognition Award to Paule Constable here with Theo Farringdon of Award sponsor Theatre Projects. Photo: David Stewart TPA

The UK-based Profile Awards, created and coordinated by Durham and Jennie Marenghi in association with the Association for Lighting Production and Design (ALPD), the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT), and the Society of Television Lighting and Design (STLD), recognize lighting design excellence in theatre and television. The second iteration of the event was held at the Alexandra Palace Theatre on June 5.

The event was attended by 250 people, 150 of whom were lighting designers or members of their lighting teams. The headline sponsor was Ayrton, with Ambersphere Solutions sponsoring the drinks reception. Entry sponsors included ER Productions, Encore, Limelite, and Sunbelt Rental Film and TV, who also supplied the goody bags. Lighting gear was supplied by HS-Hire, lasers by ER Productions, and the lectern by Encore.

The Student Virtual Lighting Design Award, sponsored by AC Entertainment Technologies, went to Shona M'gadzah from the University of Glasgow for her interpretation of the musical Take Flight.

Last year, The Profile Awards presented a check from headline sponsor Ayrton to Rick Fisher in aid of industry charity BackUp Tech. This year, at Ayrton's suggestion, all sponsors were invited to donate a percentage of their sponsorship to the charity, doubling the gift to £2,000. The check was presented to Jess Allen, representing BackUp Tech, by Briony Berning of Ayrton.

The TV section of The Profile Awards 2025 was judged by an STLD panel consisting of theatre lighting designer Peter Small, TV lighting designer Martin Kempton, TV director Stephen Neil, and chaired by STLD honorary secretary and lighting designer Stuart Gain.

The winners are:

Entertainment Series Award, sponsored by Rosco: Nigel Catmur, Martin Higgins, Oliver Lifely, Darren Lovell, Matt Lee, and Mark Gardiner for Gladiators Series 2;

Entertainment One Off Award, sponsored by LCR: David Bishop, Adam Marshall, Mark Gardiner, and Giles Hiscock for BBC Proms 2024: Florence and the Machine; Drama Award, sponsored by ChamSys: Danny Cohen, Eben Bolter, Mike Eley, Paul McGeaghan, Steve Roberts, and Adam Galsman for Slow Horses;

Small Studio Award, sponsored by ELP Broadcast Lighting: Andy Cottey, Chris Hollier, Ed Railton, Joe Peal, Matthew Mountier, and Phil Parsons for Paris 2024 WBD Olympics Studio;

Non-Scripted Entertainment Award, sponsored by Cameo: Ross Williams, Andrew Allen, and Matt Chalk for Battle Camp;

Continuing Drama Award, sponsored by LED Creative: John Carberry, Matt Maller, Gwilym Roberts, Stu Ashton, Paul McGloughlin, and Geoff Ward for EastEnders Live;

Newcomer Award sponsored by Light Initiative: Clara Sousa-Shaheed;

Special Merit Award sponsored by HS-Hire: Paul Tibbles.

New for this year, the Brian Croft Behind the Scenes Award, sponsored by PRG, recognizes an individual who has supported the art of lighting design; programmers, software designers, electrical prop makers, rigging innovators, production electricians, account handlers, specialist crew, and the like. The Award is presented by agreement with Croft's family in his memory and was awarded to Wayne Howell.

The Theatre section was judged by eight of the UK's leading theatre, dance, and opera critics, chaired by David Benedict. The winners are:

Outstanding Achievement in Theatre Award, sponsored by TSL: Sarah Readman for The Glass Menagerie, The Yard, Hackney Wick;

Outstanding Achievement in Dance, sponsored by Elation: Joshie Harriette for Pigeons, Sadler's Wells East;

Outstanding Achievement in Theatre, sponsored by Vari-Lite: James Mackenzie for A Little Inquest Into What We Are Doing Here, Zoo Southside, Edinburgh Fringe;

Outstanding Achievement in Opera sponsored by ETC: Luca Panetta for Maria de Rudenz, Battersea Arts Centre;

Outstanding Achievement in Theatre sponsored by Chauvet Professional: Jessica Hung Han Yun for Hamlet Hail To the Thief, Aviva Manchester;

Outstanding Achievement in Innovation sponsored by Fix8 Group - Theresa Baumgartner for Deepstaria, Sadler's Wells East;

Outstanding Year in Theatre sponsored by SLX: Joshua Pharo for Kenrex, Sheffield Playhouse; The House Party Chichester & Leeds Playhouse; A Raisin in the Sun, Nottingham Playhouse & Lyric Hammersmith; and The Hot Wing King, Dorfman, National Theatre;

Outstanding Year in Musical Theatre, sponsored by GLP: Howard Hudson for Love Life, Opera North; Starlight Express, Troubadour Wembley Park; Natasha, Pierre And The Great Comet of 1812, Donmar Warehouse

Closing out the night was the Richard Pilbrow Lifetime Recognition Award, sponsored by Theatre Projects, awarded to Paule Constable, who is now retiring following a lifetime of excellence in theatre lighting design.