Buxton Opera House projects shortlisted in Music & Drama Education Awards 2026

Buxton Opera House today shares the news that they have been announced as finalists at the Music & Drama Education Awards 2026 for two BOH Creates projects led by their Learning & Engagement team. Rumpelstiltskin, their 2024 festive show for families, has been nominated for the Excellence in Primary/Early Years (Music & Drama) award; and Madagascar Jr, their 2025 Summer School production, for the MTI Award for Excellence (Music & Drama) award.

The awards ceremony will be held in London in February 2026.

BOH Creates is Buxton Opera House’s community and engagement programme which offers creative workshops, training opportunities and community theatre productions for all ages, so you can take your next step in the arts. Whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in the community, they offer everyone the chance to develop and discover new skills and passions. Their activities help to build confidence and shape your future through creativity. Find out more here.

Allie Spencer, Head of Creative Learning and Engagement, said: “We are both delighted and excited to have been shortlisted for two awards at the Music and Drama Education Awards this year.

“It is always a privilege to create and tour new work for early years and primary children. Rumpelstiltskin was a Buxton Opera House commissioned piece of new writing by Robin Kingsland, which played to over 1,000 children in primary school settings alongside multiple sold-out performances in the Pavilion Arts Centre at Christmas last year. Using talented actors who also sang and played musical instruments added an extra special magic to the performance and from our feedback we discovered it inspired our young audience to take up musical instruments themselves.

“Our sold-out Summer School Madagascar Jr, engaged 40 young people aged 9 – 18 in acting, stage management, lighting and sound design, costume design, and assistant directing. It was fabulous to work with such a talented professional creative and technical team from the Opera House, inspiring and mentoring the young people across two exciting weeks.”

Buxton Opera House wishes to congratulate and thank the creatives and cast members involved in both productions for their hard work and dedication, and to every audience member who came out to support them.

Details of the Music & Drama Education Awards can be found here.