Grace Hatchell here, satchel over one shoulder and a very serious announcement peeking out the top (don’t worry, I’ve still added a wink where appropriate).
Stage One has officially opened applications for its shiny new ‘5 at 50’ initiative, celebrating 50 years of championing theatre producers, and they’ve just revealed the first three mentors who’ll be helping shape the next generation. No pressure then.
The idea is simple but powerful: five exceptional early to mid-career producers will be supported, inspired and gently (or firmly) guided by some of the industry’s most experienced names. It’s a career-defining opportunity and a very Stage One way of saying, “We’ve got you.”
First up is Eleanor Lloyd OBE, a multiple Olivier Award-winning producer whose work spans the West End and Broadway and whose CV reads like a greatest-hits playlist of modern theatre. From Witness for the Prosecution and A Christmas Carol to Prima Facie on Broadway, Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial, Constellations and Emilia, Eleanor has built a career producing high-level work while championing female and ethnically diverse theatre makers.
Eleanor has been involved with Stage One since the very start of her own career and credits it with helping her understand how the theatre business actually works. Coming from the North West with big ambitions and plenty of questions, Stage One gave her the network, confidence and foundations she still uses today. Now a board member, she sees her role as a 5 at 50 mentor as vital in supporting the next wave of producers finding their feet.
Joining her is Francesca Moody MBE, Olivier Award-winning producer and the creative force behind Fleabag, Baby Reindeer and Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder. Francesca also co-led the Fleabag for Charity campaign and helped establish the Theatre Community Fund, raising over £2 million to support theatre artists during Covid-19, work that earned her an MBE in 2022. Last year she announced a first-look deal with Wells Street Films and Amazon Studios, because apparently she wasn’t busy enough already.
For Francesca, mentoring is about backing people with the passion, drive and sheer guts it takes to succeed as a producer. She’s thrilled to support individuals at a pivotal moment in their careers, full of energy, ideas and just the right amount of creative chaos.
Completing the trio is Tristan Baker, co-founder of Runway Entertainment, the Tony, Olivier and Emmy award-winning theatre and film production company he launched with Charlie Parsons in 2011. Runway’s work includes The Hunger Games stage adaptation, 2:22 A Ghost Story, Kinky Boots, A Knight’s Tale and plenty of other titles that make producers everywhere quietly mutter, “I wish I’d done that.”
Tristan has seen first-hand the impact Stage One has had on countless producers he’s worked with and mentored over the years, and he’s delighted to continue that involvement as part of the 5 at 50 programme.
2026 marks Stage One’s 50th anniversary of supporting theatre producers, particularly those focused on entrepreneurship and those traditionally underrepresented in the industry. The 5 at 50 initiative is designed for emerging producers with clear ambitions to produce commercially in the West End or on national tours.
Successful applicants will receive one-to-one mentoring over 12 months, covering skills, networks and the practical realities of producing at scale. Alongside this, each producer will receive a £20,000 bursary to support living and professional development costs, plus a pledge from Stage One to invest £50,000 in matched funds into their next commercial venture. Yes, you read that correctly. This is the real deal.
Joseph Smith, CEO of Stage One, explains that the organisation wanted to mark its 50th year with something genuinely impactful. Mentoring sits at the heart of Stage One’s mission, and the programme brings together industry leaders eager to share their experience with producers ready to take the next big step.
Applications are particularly encouraged from underrepresented voices, ensuring a richer range of stories and perspectives continue to reach our stages. Full guidelines and application details are now available.
Stage One’s anniversary celebrations will also include events alongside its regular training, placement and investment programmes, continuing its long-standing support of producers such as Becky Barber, Matt Byham Shaw, Richard Darbourne, Simon Friend, Nia Janis, Chuchu Nwagu, James Seabright, Sarah Verghese and Jamie Wilson.
As part of the celebrations, Stage One is also collecting memories and stories from producers it has supported over the past 50 years. If Stage One played a part in your journey and you’d like to share your story, they’d love to hear from you.
The 5 at 50 programme is supported by Ian McKellen, Sam Mathias and ATG Entertainment through the McKellen Fund, alongside the many individuals and organisations who continue to champion Stage One’s work.
And with that, I’ll pop this back into the satchel. If you’re an emerging producer reading this and feeling that little spark of “maybe this is for me”, I’d say that’s probably your cue.
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