Meet Our 2026 JMK Award Winner

Today we announced Ewa Dina as the winner of the 2026 JMK Award, which offers early career directors the opportunity to direct a full-scale professional play. Ewa will direct a four-week run of Girls by Theresa Ikoko, featuring set and costume designs by Raphaé Memon, which will be presented in the Maria Studio this autumn, as part of the theatre’s 2026/7 season.

Ewa is a Nigerian-born, Sheffield-raised, and London-based director, actor, facilitator, and poet. Since graduating from Rose Bruford, she has built a multidisciplinary practice across theatre and performance. Music and movement are central to her work, shaping how stories are told and experienced. Recent credits include: The Welsh Dragon (Theatre lolo), Her Naked Skin (Rose Bruford), The Kola Nut Does Not Speak English (Bush Theatre), No More Mr Nice Guy (Original Director – R&D, Camden People’s Theatre).  

Emma Baggott and Derek Bond, Co-Chairs of the JMK Award said: “In a very strong field of over 250 applicants, Ewa shone through - her vision is so clear, moving and compelling, and she accompanies that vision with incredible skill and versatility when working with actors. Ewa is a huge talent, and we can't thank Nadia and the Young Vic enough for supporting her."

Ariana Xeno was selected as the runner up for this year’s award and will receive career support from us and the JMK Trust. The shortlisted directors for the 2026 award were Jenny Davies, Robert Furey, Keiren Hamilton-Amos, Hana Pascal Keegan, Natalie Simone and Ariana Xeno. Over 250 theatre makers applied for this year’s award.

ABOUT THE JMK AWARD

First established in 1997, the prestigious award was established in memory of the late, young theatre director James Menzies-Kitchin, to provide a vital platform and opportunity to champion the next generation of talented directors.

The JMK Award is open to directors aged 18-35, who have some professional training or  experience in the performing arts, but who have not directed more than three professional  productions. It has been pivotal in launching the careers of many young theatre makers with  previous winners including: Natalie Abrahami, Roy Alexander-Weise, Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu,  Polly Findlay, Adam Karim, Diane Page, Josh Roche, Mark Rosenblatt, Thea Sharrock, Bijan  Sheibani and Joe Hill-Gibbons.