The National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) Showcases Next Generation of Talent with PLATFORM and CRESCENDO Events

Leading youth arts organisationThe National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT)has announced the  cultivation showcase events with individuals taking part in leading creative development  projects PLATFORM and CRESCENDO at The Other Palace and 53Two in Manchester. The piece  is to be shaped by the artistic intent of our young company with the NYMT teams facilitating  their interests and ideas to reflect a new generation of voices. 

The PLATFORM (18-26) and CRESENDO (11-18) projects are designed to provide young artists with a prolonged opportunity to both showcase their talents and express their unique artistic  identities. It spotlights a company of dynamic and inspiring individuals whose instincts and  knowledge have been supported and nurtured in creating a performance alongside a world class creative team.  

This runs alongside the Summer season and embodies the statement of intent from the leadership at the NYMT to create an unique opportunity for a new cohort of creative voices to  engage with mentoring, networking, performing and training. With the showcases taking place  nationally (London and Manchester) the organisation is at the forefront of shaping the creative  talents of young people with ongoing support. NYMT are committed to championing this talent  to engage nationally in order to create a pathway into careers in the arts.  

For nearly 50 years, NYMT has been at the forefront of offering exceptional opportunities in  musical theatre training for talented young people. Historically the work has been centred  around actors and musicians, but as the company moves forwards it will become a home for  young people to engage with musical theatre across all roles including as creatives, technical theatre professionals and writers, alongside our performers.  

Bill Stanley, PLATFORM participant, comments,We’ve been rehearsing in London for a couple of  weekends now. It’s so exciting being able to perform work in a format that’s never really been  done before on a West End stage andPLATFORMfeels like something new; we’re all anticipating  something special. It’s a talented group of young adults either graduating or in training and I feel  very privileged to be a part of it. 

The event come after the previously announced 2024 summer season which will debut at the  Southwark Playhouse. FeaturingOur House, showcasing iconic music from UK band Madness;  Stephen Sondheim’s timeless classicInto the Woods; and an ambitious new folk musical, Catastrophe Bay, written by Kit Buchan and James Barne.  

Almost 1,000 performers auditioned to join the NYMT 2024 company, who will all be following in the footsteps of the newly appointed patrons and further NYMT alumni including multi award-winning household name Idris Elba, Phantom of the Opera’s Joe Griffiths-Brown, beloved screen and stage icon Sheridan Smith,and Les Misérables’Rosy Church. The newly appointed patrons include previous alumni – critically acclaimed Matt Lucas, the award-winning Amara Okereke and It’s a Sin’s Callum Scott Howells. Industry professionals delivered audition workshops at 19 venues across the UK at the start of the year. Alongside these, NYMT has seen  an increase in applications to join the company as Musicians and as assistant Creatives on the  Creative Team Mentorship Scheme. 

Everyone is welcome to get involved and NYMT is committed to making musical theatre and the professional industry more accessible to young people across the country, regardless of location or economic circumstances. National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) has a long-standing commitment to an inclusive and accessible ethos. This year NYMT is offering £31,000 of bursaries from their bursary system to support under-resourced families.

Visit their website for more info: https://nymt.org.uk/

Featured Image: Courtesy of The National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT)