Youth_Music_Theatre:_UK

Youth Music Theatre: UK

Youth Music Theatre: UK (often known as YMT:UK or YMT) is the United Kingdom's biggest provider of music theatre projects for young people. It is one of nine recognised National Youth Music Organisations (NYMOs).

At the core of YMT: UK's activity are its residential projects, which usually take place during the summer. Young people from around the country audition for eight new pieces of musical theatre which are then developed, rehearsed and staged in professional theatres. The young people have a hand in creating and devising original pieces, supported by theatre professionals. The company also runs non-audition courses, called The Studio, and operates a successful outreach programme, working with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. All of the company's projects are specially commissioned and often developed over two or more summers. Productions often transfer into larger venues during the autumn and spring.

The company was founded in 2003 and is based in Battersea, London. It also has regional offices in Edinburgh and Belfast. Its executive producer is Jon Bromwich.

The company's 2008 productions included new adaptations of Great Expectations in Bracknell, Terry Pratchett's Mort in Guildford, Peter Pan in Plymouth, and Missing Mel at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and new shows by EastEnders director Steve Keyworth in Leeds and by Marie Jones (The Chosen Room) in Belfast.