British Youth Music Theatre

In addition to the New Music Theatre Award, BYMT programmes a further five to six productions per year, which are a combination of returning previous productions and new submissions. Every production is given a two-week rehearsal process with a cast of 36 young people, a band of up to 6 young people and professional musicians, and a full creative and production team, culminating with performances in a regional theatre (e.g Birmingham Hippodrome, The Lowry Manchester, Southwark Playhouse). There will also be six to seven development camps where ideas for new shows can be trialled and developed over a week with a group of young people.

Submissions for our 2025 season of productions and camps are welcome up to midday on Friday 29 November 2024, though we strongly encourage earlier submissions to allow for developmental discussions. Submissions can be sent to cerysjones@bymt.org with the following:

• Synopsis or outline of the concept of up to 1000 words
• Short bios of the writers/composers involved
• An example of the music style
• Evidence of suitability for BYMT and reasons for submitting

Helpful but not necessary are:

• Links to material (script/score/previous performances)

BYMT’s criteria for considering submissions includes:

• At least 36 named characters with something to contribute to the narrative / performance
• Opportunities for at least 2 young musicians in the band
• Global / community driven narratives
• A clear message for an audience
• Between 8-12 songs, with a majority of ensemble and minimal solo/small group numbers
• A practical sense of how the production could be delivered in a short rehearsal period
• An understanding of how the piece will cater to and celebrate the wide range of skill sets and experience of our young company
• The type of young person the material will engage, and an idea of casting brief / breakdown

All ideas will be looked at by the BYMT staff team and then a longlist will be discussed with BYMT’s Young Company Panel. Their recommendations for the shortlist, along with discussions with venues and the Board, will form the 2025 programme of BYMT productions and development camps. 

The majority of the work undertaken by British Youth Music Theatre operates in a residential setting and even where there is no residential element BYMT still maintains a significant responsibility for the young participants. To this end, aside from any artistic and production staff on a project, there is also a Pastoral Team. The Pastoral Team act in loco parentis to the children in their care and are expected to exercise the same care and control as a responsible parent in securing that the young person’s needs are met and respected.

Professional Experience:

• Previous experience of safeguarding/pastoral work with young people
• Experience working in a team
• Experience in managing relationships and building rapport with a variety of people including teachers, young people, pastoral and creative staff
• Experience in an arts organisation/environment and interest in applied theatre

Attitudes and Skills:

• To understand when to listen and when to lead
• To understand when to observe and when to intervene
• To understand when to offer support and when to allow independence
• To understand when to be patient and when to be pragmatic
• To understand when to be sympathetic and when to be stern
• To understand when to be compassionate and when to be impartial
• To understand how to communicate clearly and considerately
• To understand how to show respect and how to be respected

Are you the perfect candidate? Please read the relevant Job Description below and complete the APPLICATION FORM. Please send your completed application to our Pastoral Manager, Rosa Higgs at rosahiggs@bymt.org.

If you have worked in a pastoral role for BYMT in the last 3 years please email Rosa directly to express your interest.

Pastoral Team Member: JOB DESCRIPTION

Pastoral Lead: JOB DESCRIPTION 

We can’t wait to work with you this Easter & summer!

Each year, BYMT make a number of training places available for recent graduates or those in their second/third year of higher education, wishing to gain work experience on Musical Theatre projects working with young people. These take the form of assistant roles to professional practioners on our 2-3-week projects nationally across the summer/Easter and are principally for Assistant Musical Directors, Assistant Designers and Assistant Stage Managers. Visit the Creative Work Placement page for further information.

The Creative Work Placement Application Form can be found here. Please send applications to mail@bymt.org 

“BYMT has been a great platform for me to learn, take risks, and sometimes make mistakes and generally find my own way into becoming an MD”  Sam Sommerfeld, Musical Director and former Creative Trainee

If you would like to gain some unpaid work experience or volunteer in the BYMT office, whether you’re at school, college, university, considering a career change or wanting to do some charity work in later life, we may be able to offer you a suitable placement. Applications for these unpaid positions are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

It's important to note that, while BYMT Productions take place in various major theatres across the UK, you would be volunteering for administrative work in our London office. See below for some examples. If you are interested in creative work experience on one of our productions as an introduction to working within the industry, see the Creative Trainee Scheme. Short-Term, Full-Time Work Experience Suitable usually for Young People (16-17) who are interesting in taking on some Work Experience as part of their Secondary School or College studies, short-term volunteers will typically volunteer full-time for up to a fortnight. Duties will usually include general administration and occasional research. Medium Term, Full-Time Volunteers Lasting perhaps one to three months, these posts are suitable for somebody recently graduated from Secondary School, College or University, or somebody later in life looking to make a major contribution of their time and skill to BYMT. These volunteers will provide vital support to one of our departments. Previously, roles have included Database Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Production Assistant, and Fundraising Assistant, although we will cater the work to the applicants interests and our current needs.

We will reimburse travel expenses within the Greater London area and provide copious quantities of tea/coffee and chocolate biscuits! If you would like to discuss our volunteering or work experience opportunities, please call us on 02085637725 or email mail@bymt.org. To apply, please send a CV with covering letter, explaining your volunteering interests and availability, to mail@bymt.org. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with little or no experience of working in theatre production, keen to pursue a career in this sector. The candidate will work across various departments, learning about every aspect of theatre production, as well as our work as an educational youth charity. During their time in the role candidates will have the chance to specialise in areas where they show particular interest or ability.

We are looking for someone who is helpful and keen to learn. People who are creative in some way with good communication skills and solid attention to detail would do well in this role. The right candidate could go on to a job in the theatre industry or transfer the experience to other roles in production, such as in TV, film or music.

Applications close 2nd December 2024. 

Find out more about the role and how to apply.