A huge CONGRATULATIONS from us here at Brandwood Buzz to Liz Light, Founder and General Manager at Birmingham’s Stage2 Youth Theatre, which runs from the Hub Hazelwell. Liz was named the winner of the third annual Arts Hero Award at the Sky Arts Awards this week at the Roundhouse in London.
The award celebrates the often-unsung people making a lasting difference through the arts, with this year’s award recognising those supporting and inspiring the next generation of talent at a time when opportunities for young people to pursue their creative ambitions are increasingly under pressure.
Presented by Sir Grayson Perry and Rebecca Lucy Taylor (AKA Self Esteem), the Sky Arts Awards, which aired last night on Sky Arts and Freeview, saw Liz take to the stage to receive her award from Arts Hero ambassador Shappi Khorsandi. Liz was among a host of figures from across the arts and cultural community honoured on the night, including musician Jacob Alon, writer Wendy Erskine, comedian Sam Nicoresti and singer-songwriter Johnny Marr.
Liz was recognised for an extraordinary 38 years spent opening the door to theatre for young people across Birmingham and the Midlands. Since founding Stage2 in 1988, she has helped thousands of young people, often from marginalised groups, experience theatre and creativity, building a community where everyone is taken seriously and encouraged to discover what they are capable of.
Based at The Hub, Hazelwell, and performing at The Crescent Theatre, it is still thriving, giving young people a place to perform, build confidence and feel part of a creative community.
The impact can be seen across Birmingham and beyond. Stage2 alumni have gone on to build successful careers across British theatre, television and film, including Doctor Who and Broadchurch actor Arthur Darvill, Motherland and The Death of Stalin actor Paul Ready, and Shakespeare’s Globe actor Jacoba Williams. Former members also regularly return to teach, direct and volunteer, creating opportunities for the next generation.
One of those whose life was changed by Stage2 is Chloe Blake, who grew up in a council flat in Birmingham with little access to the arts before joining the youth theatre. She now works at the National Theatre and as a freelance Casting Director, and nominated Liz for the Arts Hero Award.
Chloe said: “Growing up in Birmingham, Stage2 gave me access to a world that I had no idea could become my career. Liz created a space where theatre wasn’t something distant or reserved for people from particular backgrounds – it was somewhere we were allowed to belong.
Through Stage2, I developed confidence, learned about theatre and discovered an industry that I would eventually go on to work in professionally. That is the remarkable thing about Liz’s impact: my story isn’t unusual.”
On receiving the award, Liz Light said: “I am so grateful to Chloe for the nomination and for the jury deciding to give me the award. I very much see it as recognition for all the wonderful children, families, colleagues, board members, venues, local trusts, reviewers etc who have all contributed to Stage2 over the last 38 years and will be contributing long after I leave. Every child deserves to be given opportunities to have adventures, support to raise their self-confidence, and a positive place to make friends.”
Liz was chosen from scores of nominations from Scotland to Cornwall and spanning every discipline of the arts.
The Sky Arts Awards celebrate the best of British and Irish arts and culture, spanning disciplines from opera and poetry to popular music, television and comedy. The Arts Hero Award shines a light on the people whose encouragement, guidance and support help creative talent thrive.
Watch the Sky Arts Awards on Sky Arts, Freeview and streaming service NOW
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