Founded in 2014, Manchester Musical Youth (MMY) has been at the heart of nurturing young talent in Manchester for a decade.
From its humble beginnings to becoming one of the most respected youth theatre companies in the region, MMY has grown from strength to strength, providing a platform for aspiring performers to develop their craft and shine on stage.
The Early Years (2014 - 2016)
Manchester Musical Youth began with a simple mission: to provide young people in the Manchester area with opportunities to experience professional-level musical theatre. Under the leadership of a passionate team of directors, producers, and educators, MMY quickly established itself as a place where creativity, teamwork, and self-expression flourished.
Its debut production in 2014, Jekyll and Hyde, made an immediate impact, selling out shows and receiving rave reviews. This success laid the foundation for future growth, and the group attracted talented young performers eager to work with MMY’s dedicated staff.
Expansion and Success (2017 - 2019)
As word of MMY spread, the company expanded its reach, taking on more ambitious productions and welcoming new members. The production of The Pirate Queen will go down as one of MMY’s most epic achievements, and even spawned a visit from legendary writer Claude-Michel Schöenberg (Les Misérables, The Pirate Queen, Miss Saigon). The Pirate Queen joined a string of MMY shows awarded best Youth Production in Manchester by NODA, and even went one better to win Best Youth Production in the North West. During this period two new age groups were introduced, ‘MMY Grads’ providing an outlet for young adult performers aged 18 plus, and ‘MMY Apprentices’ setting out early theatre opportunities for those aged from 8 years old. ‘Apprentices’ debuted in October 2017 with The Little Mermaid Jr and is still going strong. In 2019, testament to a glowing reputation, MMY was invited by Music Theatre International to Launch Sister Act Jr in Europe at the Junior Theatre Festival in Birmingham.
Adapting in Uncertain Times (2020 - 2021)
Like many arts organisations, MMY faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. When live performances were halted, MMY quickly adapted, shifting to online workshops, virtual rehearsals, and even producing an online self-penned musical, Medusa.
This period demonstrated the resilience and passion of the MMY community, reinforcing their commitment to fostering creativity even in the face of adversity.
A Decade of Growth (2022 - Present)
With the return of live performances, MMY came back stronger than ever, producing a string of sell out performances that have attracted high acclaim, including The Huntchback of Notre Dame, Anything Goes and Les Misérables. Marking its 10th anniversary in 2024, MMY celebrated with a concert in November at RNCM, before embarking on their ambitious and ground breaking 2025 season at their regular home, z-arts in Hulme. The season included another composer visit as MMY welcomed Michael Webborn to the opening night of the youth premiere of his work, 'The Clockmaker's Daughter'.
MMY continues to be a beacon for young performers, offering them the opportunity to be part of something special. Over the past decade, hundreds of young people have trained, honed their talents, built lifelong friendships, and created unforgettable memories through MMY. Many have gone on to professional careers in the arts, while others have carried the confidence and skills learned at MMY into various fields.
As MMY enters its next decade, its commitment to nurturing young talent and producing high-quality theatre remains stronger than ever. With each new production, the company strives to inspire, challenge, and bring joy to audiences, while continuing to offer life-changing opportunities to the next generation of performers.