Represent
A cultural workforce led by a new and diverse generation of cultural leaders.Â
an equitable arts sector
At BYMT we’re committed to creating a more equitable arts sector workforce by equipping young people and early-career creatives with the skills, experience and networks to transform the industry.
The musical theatre landscape is becoming more challenging, with fewer opportunities for new writers and composers as rising costs discourage theatres from investing in new work. Each year, we support emerging writers in developing productions for our season and specialise in bringing untold stories to the stage, exploring societal issues that resonate with young people such as inequity, social justice and climate change.
nurturing musical makers of the future
The UK music theatre sector does not reflect the diversity of the society it serves. Global majority writers and composers remain significantly underrepresented in whose stories get developed, commissioned, and heard.
Represent is an evolution of the Diverse Writers Project by Rachel Victor-Sampson who collaborated with Emily Gray (Creative Director at BYMT) to secure Arts Council England investment to conduct research into diversity in the Musical Theatre Sector.
BYMT supports diverse writers and composers in the early stages of their career to experiment, learn and develop their artistry; we nurture the new musical makers of the future.
Represent Events
January 2026 at The Other Palace Studio
Hosted by BYMT and Rachel Victor-Sampson
In January 2026, Global Majority artists, creatives and industry professionals came together to tackle important questions in the music theatre sector. Collectively, we listened to impactful speeches, built connections across practices, watched powerful films, held thoughtful discussions and enjoyed inspiring performances. Sharing reflections, research and ideas inspired action moving forwards, and the conversation doesn’t end here. Thank you to our supporters at Arts Council England, The Other Palace and The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama.
Watch the Diverse Writers Project films by Rochelle Newman which were screened at the event:
Join our Represent network
If you’re a Global Majority writer and/or composer, we invite you to join our Represent Network and attend our next meeting to create systemic change in the theatre industry enabling a fairer future for all.