Rose Bruford College graduate Lev Govorovski shortlisted for a prestigious Stage Debut Award, in association with Netflix, in recognition of his work as a designer on one-man play Ron at Riverside Studios.
Lev is nominated alongside writer, performer and co-director Ted Walliker in the Best Designer category, sponsored by Preevue, at this year’s awards, which celebrate some of the most exciting emerging talent working across theatre.
The 2026 shortlist highlights artists from West End venues, regional theatres in Cardiff, Bath, and Doncaster, as well as fringe productions. Among the notable nominees, Stranger Things actor Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe earned nominations for their West End debuts in Romeo and Juliet. Oscar nominee Brendan Gleeson and Kate Phillips were shortlisted for The Weir, while BAFTA and Tony winner Ralph Fiennes received a nomination for his directorial debut with As You Like It at Theatre Royal Bath.
The nomination follows the success of Ron, a new production at Riverside Studios, and marks an exciting moment in Lev’s developing career as a designer.
Sam Marlowe, chairwoman of judges and The Stage reviews editor, said it had been an “immense pleasure and a privilege” to narrow down this year’s nominees, and hailed their “work of stunning breadth and ingenuity”.
She added: “As ever, we recognise and salute those flexing their talents in our smallest spaces, on shoestring budgets, as well as those creating on a much larger scale. From the tiniest fringe venues to the West End stage, they all have one thing in common: a palpable passion for the art form, and limitless vision, both of which continue to make our theatre culture vibrant, challenging, thrilling and beautiful. These are artists taking their first steps with their gaze firmly fixed on the future – and the Debuts celebrates not only their achievements so far, but all those still to come.”
Lev completed his studies and graduated from Rose Bruford College in 2024 as part of the BA Acting (South West) cohort after beginning his studies at ALRA.
At Rose Bruford, students work across disciplines and develop the practical, creative and collaborative skills needed to build careers in the performing arts.
The Stage Debut Awards recognise early-career practitioners, celebrating artists at the beginning of their professional journeys and shining a light on the breadth of talent entering the theatre industry.
We’re delighted to see Lev recognised for his work and wish him and the Ron team the very best for the awards.
The winners will be revealed at a ceremony at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London on September 27.