Musical theatre creators under the age of 30 have until 16 October 2023 to apply for the 2024 BYMT New Music Theatre Award.
Organised by the British Youth Music Theatre, in partnership with the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, the eventual winner of the award will see their new work developed into a full production performed by the young people of the BYMT company.
Writers, lyricists, composers, music producers and creators under the age of 30 and based in the UK or Ireland are invited to submit a synopsis, outline or concept of up to 2,000 words along with supporting music, script, recordings and references for consideration via the BYMT website.
Developed as part of the BYMT’s commitment to nurturing new young, musical theatre talent, the New Music Theatre Award was established to:
- support the writer/creators in their chosen path
- push the boundaries of what music theatre can be
- highlight the voices wanting to diversify and challenge traditional notions of musical theatre
- share the resources BYMT has to develop and showcase the writers of the future
- inspire young people to engage with writing music theatre
Commenting on the award, BYMT’s chief executive and creative director Emily Gray said: “This process enables us to meet and work with composers and writers who are at the stage of developing their first full scale musical production. Our young people are hungry for epic stories with relevant themes that will inspire them, their audiences and the sector to question what a new musical can be. This year we have enjoyed working with Lewis through the challenges of writing for a large company and we have also been able to support and develop other fantastic ideas that the shortlisted writers brought to us. It’s exciting to await the possibilities for our 2024 NMTA show and hope innovation leads the way!”
Previous NMTA winners include 2021 winners Jack Godfrey and Martha Geelan whose musical Babies was first staged at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich. The musical is due to make its West End debut with three staged concert performances at the Lyric Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue in November.
2023 winner Lewis Cornay’s Harry and Greta made its debut as a fully realised staged production with BYMT this summer at the New Wolsey.
Commenting on the award, Cornay said: “I am over the moon to be writing a brand-new musical for BYMT. As a previous young member, it feels incredibly full circle to be welcomed back. I know how formative and inspiring the experience can be and I look forward to being able to create in such a nurturing environment.”
The 2024 Award winners will be announced at BYMT’s Let It Snow concert on 3 December.
British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) is the leading musical theatre company for young people, working across the UK and Ireland with West End professionals to offer unique opportunities and high-quality training. Since 2003 they have trained over 15,000 young people, with alumni including Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Lauren Samuels, Charlotte Ritchie, Jack Bence, Lucy Griffiths, Luke McCall and Bradley Jaden.
Angela Thomas
britishyouthmusictheatre.org/community/new-music-theatre-award
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