Thirty-five years after its launch, Jamaica’s iconic Actor Boy Awards (ABAs) shows no signs of slowing down, entering its milestone anniversary year under the rallying theme: “35 Years Strong, The Next Act Has Begun”. This year’s nominations list showcases the nation’s thriving live theatre ecosystem, blending decades of established legacy with bold new creative vision, a theme echoed by Shantol Jackson, the internationally celebrated Jamaican actress who hosted the official nomination reveal event.
The nomination showcase premiered on the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ) on April 1 at 8 p.m., featuring special announcements from beloved Jamaican cultural icon Joan Andrea Hutchinson and the first public reveal of a redesigned ABA trophy created by renowned local sculptor Keith Cousins. Jackson, who is known globally for her role in BBC One’s *Death in Paradise*, even posed for photos with the brand-new statuette after its unveiling.
Originally, the 2026 awards gala was set to be held at the PBCJ Auditorium on Monday, April 27, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. However, organizers announced a postponement last week, pushing the ceremony to a new date: Monday, June 1, 2026. In an official statement from the awards committee, organizers explained the date change is intended “allows us to deliver the kind of experience that this milestone year deserves”, a decision that has only heightened public anticipation for the anniversary event.
This year’s race for top honors is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the awards’ history, with two major musical productions pulling ahead to lead the nomination pack: *Alice*, produced by the Jamaica Musical Theatre Company (JMTC), and *Ded leff* from The ASHE Company. Both productions have racked up an impressive number of nods across categories, setting the stage for a tight contest.
*Alice* has earned acclaim as a standout technical and artistic triumph, earning nominations across every craft category, including costume design, set design, lighting, sound, and choreography, as well as multiple spots in major acting categories. *Ded leff*, by contrast, has made its mark with raw, powerful performances, dominating the acting categories with multiple nominations across lead and supporting roles, in addition to earning recognition for directing and design work. The production’s strong showing cements the enduring power of actor-centered storytelling on the Jamaican stage.
But the competition extends far beyond these two frontrunners. In a year defined by staggering depth of talent, a handful of other productions have also broken into double-digit nomination territory, meaning no award is a foregone conclusion. Dahlia Harris’ *Bloodlies* from DMH Productions has claimed nods across design, acting, and overall production categories, while the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA) School of Drama’s *Tick tock*, directed by Owen “Blakka” Ellis, has impressed voters with its technical precision, tight ensemble work, and overall production excellence.
Rounding out the stacked field are Father Ho Lung & Friends’ *Jesus 2025* and Dredz Productions’ *Redemption*, both of which earned strong recognition in design, writing, and performance categories, adding even more depth to this year’s lineup. Taken as a whole, the 2025 nominations paint a clear picture: Jamaica’s theatre community is not only thriving, it is evolving, with creators pushing boundaries unapologetically.
That evolution carries special weight for this 35th anniversary iteration of the ABAs. For the awards, three and a half decades of operation is not just a celebration of longevity, it is a marker of ongoing transformation. This year’s list balances recognition of decades of industry excellence with a deliberate spotlight on a new generation of creatives redefining what Jamaican theatre can be. Established industry leaders share nomination space with emerging new voices, creating a dynamic energy that elevates the entire 2025 theatre season.