The Association for Lighting Production and Design announced the winners of their 2025 Awards at the New Technology Showcase at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama today, Thursday 29th January. This event, jointly hosted by White Light, the ALPD and RCSSD, is an opportunity for lighting professionals to explore and compare the latest lighting technology available on the market.
The winner of The Michael Northen Award for emerging lighting designers sponsored by Go Live Theatre Projects, ETC and Vectorworks is Ros Chase. There was strong competition for the award. The adjudicators felt all her shows had a look of their own, and that many of the ideas presented, were entirely original. She demonstrated a brilliant approach to each of the varied projects, all of which had different requirements. Her submission was really strong and very well presented.
Ros said: “I am delighted to have won the Michael Northen Award. Being recognised by the ALPD has provided me with a huge amount of encouragement, and I am very grateful for this and for the opportunities it will bring as I continue to progress in my career.”
The Anne Valentino Award for Excellence in Programming sponsored by ETC has been won by David Powell. David, who is on the staff at Theatr Clwyd in Mold received multiple nominations from his peers who have described him as inventive, supportive, fast, skilled, patient, wonderfully creative, positive, and even poetical! “It was such wonderful news to hear that I was nominated for the Anne Valentino Award this year and that I won! It’s a fantastic recognition of my efforts, and those of my colleague.”
The Fred Foster Award for Excellence in Production Electrics sponsored by ETC was share by two joint winners, Chris Skinner and Oliver Thomas. Chris Skinner has worked for over nine years as the Chief Electrician of Theatr Clwyd, after nearly 30 years in the industry. He received several nominations. He is described as dedicated, highly skilled, passionate, hardworking, knowledgeable, and a wonderful problem solver. On being told about the Award Chris said: “I would like to dedicate the award to all fellow Production Electricians and their supporting teams out there who are working long and hard to ensure the productions they are working on receive their magical sparkle!”
Oliver Thomas has worked on some of the largest and most complex West End shows including the new Starlight Express at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in London, The Hunger Games, and Just for One Day. His nominators describe him as not only an incredibly highly skilled electrician, but also one of the most diligent, caring and personable people to work alongside. “I am truly honoured to receive this year’s Fred Foster Award for Excellence in Production Electrics. I love working in this industry—meeting new people, taking on new challenges, and being part of projects that push us forward—and this recognition means a great deal to me.”
The ALPD would like to thank all their sponsors: Go Live Theatre Projects, Vectorworks and ETC, as well as all the lighting professionals who so generously give their time to adjudicate, advise and mentor.
The ALPD continues to develop its Awards’ program, and hopes to extend it in future years.
The Association for Lighting Production and Design (The ALPD) is the body representing all those who work in or are interested in the creation of lighting for live performance and events. It is an association that welcomes lighting designers, technicians and programmers across the full range of performance lighting disciplines.
This year, there are 3 awards being presented as part of the “ALPD Awards for Excellence” scheme. As last year, only the Michael Northen award is for an early career lighting designer. The other two awards have been made to mid-career professional production electricians and programmers awarded through a nomination process by colleagues and co-workers.
The Michael Northen Award
This award is sponsored by Go Live Theatre Projects.
Michael Northen was the first credited Lighting Designer in the UK and his work on “The Mousetrap” can still be seen in the West End today.
The winner of this award receives a £500 cash prize, a 512 ETCnomad™ Package, a Vectorworks licence for 12 months. The winner will also receive a copy of Michael’s book – “Northen Lights”.
The Fred Foster Award for Excellence in Production Electrics
This Award is sponsored by ETC and dedicated to the late ETC CEO, Fred Foster.
The winner of this award receives an engraved mini Source 4 kindly supplied by ETC
The Anne Valentino Award for Excellence in Programming
This award is sponsored by ETC
The winner of this award receives an engraved mini Source 4 kindly supplied by ETC.
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