Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) and Musical Theatre Network (MTN) have announced that their first national showcase of new musical theatre,BEAM:2016 is open for submissions.
BEAM:2016 is taking place at the Park Theatre, London on 8th and 9th March 2016, and will encourage and develop musical theatre across the UK, identifying and supporting innovation, connecting practitioners and finding champions for original work.
The work to be included in BEAM:2016 will be found through an innovative series of pitching days. MMD and MTN will travel across the UK seeking out the artists making musical theatre today. At key producing venues from Scotland, England and Wales, the two companies hope to discover writers, as well as highlight the brilliant work being done by more established practitioners.
The first of these pitching days is taking place on 16th October 2015 at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, with other opportunities happening throughout October and November. Writers interested in applying for a pitching slot should check out http://www.mercurymusicals.com/what-we-do/beam-2016 or
http://www.musicaltheatrenetwork.com/what-we-do/beam2016/ for more information.
Caroline Routh, Executive Producer of MTN said “BEAM is going to provide an incredibly exciting opportunity for us to find those artists from all around the UK who are making new and innovative musical theatre, and we are thrilled that our showcase will help to contribute to their development and to the future of this artform.”
MTN and MMD will be tracking their progress across the country with videos and blogs as they meet different artists and venues. Follow them on Twitter via #FollowtheBeam
Further information:
BEAM:2016 is to be a two day event held at the Park Theatre, London on 8th-9th March 2016. The Park Theatre (winner of The Stage Best Fringe Venue of the Year 2015) have said: “As a non subsidised off West End theatre we’re acutely aware of how important it is to develop and nurture new work, and we’re thrilled to be hosting BEAM:2016 thereby supporting a number of exciting emerging theatre makers in the field of musical theatre.” Jez Bond | Artistic Director, Park Theatre
The showcase itself combines live pitches and book-in-hand presentations of new work from artists and venues around the UK. There will also be panel discussions, provocations, networking, installations/digital displays and two Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Masterclasses. The first Masterclass will be a practical demonstration and discussion by leading industry figures on ‘Originating New Work’. The second will centre around the practicalities of workshops, industry showcases and backers auditions.
BEAM is a joint collaboration between MTN and MMD and is a key part of both organisations’ mission to support the development of new musical theatre. MMD is a not-for-profit membership organization that is dedicated to nurturing new musical theatre writing. Our membership of over 400 bookwriters, lyricists and librettist have access to a range of development and showcasing initiatives including seminars, masterclasses and professional residencies designed to further their craft and career. We actively seek out commissions, build professional networks and are ambassadors on behalf of all our members. MMD aim is to support and represent the writers who are shaping the future of British musical theatre. To find out more about MMD go to www.mercurymusicals.com
Musical Theatre Network is a membership organisation with a mission to create the environment that allows new musical theatre to flourish. Founded in 2005 it has grown into an organisation that has attracted members from across the industry, including independent producers, directors and writers as well as regional and major commercial producing companies. In 2012 it joined the Arts Council England National Portfolio (in partnership with MMD) and is one of only three organisations supporting the development of new musical theatre to be supported in this way. MTN runs a year round programme of development and networking events, an annual conference and an Awards scheme in Edinburgh focused on broadening the conversation about what musical theatre can be.