Mercury Musical Developments & Musical Theatre Network: Talent Development Fund 2017
For:
Mercury Musical Developments Talent Development Programme
BEAM:2018 comprises both UK-wide pitching days – identifying diverse and talented writers of musical theatre – and a two day national showcase, giving the writers we discover a professional platform. BEAM is co-produced by Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) and Musical Theatre Network (MTN). As membership organisations, MMD & MTN support professional artists writing, developing and staging new musical theatre in the UK. We strengthen the sector and artform development through year-round talent and professional development opportunities, networking, showcasing and advocacy to help new, excellent and diverse musical theatre achieve its potential in the UK.
The first BEAM took place in 2016 and showcased an unprecedented stylistic breadth of new British musical theatre writers, found from around the UK via 12 innovative pitching days. For BEAM:2018 we’ll expand our search for the widest range of emerging to established music makers – both those with a track record in musical theatre, and those established in other fields of songwriting/composition such as hip hop/rap and jazz. The initiative will diversify those writing for musical theatre, offering professional exposure to music creators selected from across all genres, and thus developing the artform. The showcase will be in London, the pitching days will be UK wide. The success of BEAM:2016 was due to the incredibly high standard of work presented. Over two-thirds of work presented at BEAM:2016 has gone on to be commissioned, further developed or produced. The event was described as a ‘game changer’ by industry attendees.