Be part of the next generation of new musicals
New musical theatre is one of the fastest growing and evolving areas of creative practice in the UK, with many new voices emerging in recent years who will make musical theatre as diverse and relevant to a wider audience. Our members are at the forefront of this and need the advice, recognition, skills, encouragement that MMD can provide, in order for their projects to reach an audience.
MMD is a registered charity, dedicated to the development of musical theatre as an art form for the benefit of the public, and to talent development to secure the form’s future. In addition to our funding from Arts Council England (making up approximately one third of our costs) we rely on the support of trusts and foundations, corporate sponsors and individual donors in order to fulfil our mission and support new musicals and their writers.
If you love musical theatre and want to help exciting new shows come to fruition, please consider supporting our work.
Ways to support
By making a donation to MMD, you are supporting the next generation of writers. A donation of £50-100 can fund one membership bursary, allowing a writer to access our extensive range of development opportunities and transform their career.
For supporters making significant donations we offer a bespoke range of benefits including complimentary tickets, facilitated introductions to writers and potential naming rights to a project or development programme.
If you are a composer, lyricist or book writer of musicals you can support us by becoming a member and experiencing our extensive range of membership benefits.
We provide sponsorship opportunities for our public facing events such as BEAM, the UK Musical Theatre Conference and the Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize. These provide exposure to your brand to an audience of industry professionals and musical theatre enthusiasts. A range of sponsorship packages is available for each event.
If you are looking for a new musical to stage, whether in a professional context or an educational/amateur setting, we can put you in touch with writers who are working on shows of all scales. We are always delighted to provide our members with opportunities to see their work realised on stage.
I do hope you give generously, because emerging talent is what is vital in the theatre, and we need it now more than ever.
Dame Judi Dench, MMD patron
Member Spotlight
Jordan Li-Smith
Writer, Composer, Musical Director Hailing from Wrexham, North Wales, Jordan Li-Smith recently made his debut as a writer and composer… Read more
Visit Website Jordan Li-Smith
Writer, Composer, Musical Director
Hailing from Wrexham, North Wales, Jordan Li-Smith recently made his debut as a writer and composer with The Boy Who Sailed the Ocean in an Armchair, adapted from the novel by Lara Williamson. Armchair's first public showing was recently seen at Leicester Curve in August 2023, produced by the National Youth Music Theatre, where it was noted that his "vision and ability cements himself as one to watch for future new musicals". This production is currently nominated for 12 BroadwayWorld UK Awards. A preview of Armchair was showcased at BEAM2023 at Oxford Playhouse, the UK’s largest showcase of new musicals.
Whilst working towards the professional premiere production of Armchair in 2025, Jordan is currently working on his second musical, entitled 73 Seconds.
Meg McGrady
Composer, Bookwriter Meg McGrady (they/them) is a neurodivergent nonbinary musical theatre creative having worked as a composer, producer, writer and… Read more
Visit Website Meg McGrady
Composer, Bookwriter
Meg McGrady (they/them) is a neurodivergent nonbinary musical theatre creative having worked as a composer, producer, writer and performer. Driven, collaborative, and a vocal activist, Meg studied ‘Musical Theatre’ at the BRIT School and ‘Theatre and Social Change’ at Rose Bruford.
Meg has worked on a vast range of new theatre pieces as a writer and composer including the award-winning ‘The Phase’ (Vaults Festival), ‘iNk’D’ (CTC Dance) and ‘Virgin’ (Rose Bruford). Other work-in-progress shows include ‘I found you a cool rock’, ‘Rosalind’ and ‘The Planet Is _____’.