The Spotlight Prize
The Spotlight Prize 2026 Showcase
Meet the Spotlight Prize 2026 finalists!
To celebrate the diverse skills of the next generation of actors, this year’s showcase will debut an expanded format, with 40 finalists split across two dedicated categories: The Screen Prize and The Stage Prize.
What is the Spotlight Prize?
The Spotlight Prize gives drama school graduates the chance to demonstrate their talents to a room full of industry professionals.
Each year, over 60 drama schools and universities across the UK and Ireland are invited to nominate a student from their graduating class, and a panel of industry experts selects the finalists based on the quality of their self-tape audition.
Find out more about the history of the Spotlight Prize and how it evolved from the Rodney Millington Award into what it is today.
Our Past Winners
Past winners have gone on to light up stages and screens, making their mark across the world of theatre and entertainment.
Check out our gallery of previous Spotlight Prize winners and highly commended finalists.
News & Advice
We’re thrilled to reveal the 40 talented performers selected for the 2026 Spotlight Prize. As the industry’s most prestigious showcase for emerging talent, the Spotlight Prize has long been a springboard for the next generation of world-class performers. This year, we’re evolving. To celebrate the diverse skills of the next generation, we’re debuting an expanded […]
From the latest films to groundbreaking television series, discover the shows and sounds inspiring the next generation of actors. For an actor, watching film, television and performance art isn’t just entertainment – it’s a vital form of creative research and a way to fuel the imagination. From the gritty realism of modern war dramas to […]
Congratulations to Scot Greenan and Polly Graves who have won The Spotlight Prize 2025. We’re delighted to announce that Scot Greenan of Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has won the Stage Award and Polly Graves of University of Central Lancashire has won the Screen Award at The Spotlight Prize 2025. Our expert panel of judges […]
