The musical theatre team behind Honk! and Betty Blue Eyes, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, have launched a new award offering its winner mentorship and support in developing a new musical.
Supported by Cameron Mackintosh’s theatrical licensing agency Music Theatre International, the MTI Stiles + Drewe Mentorship Award aims to help develop a new musical theatre project over the course of a year.
Among the opportunities being offered as part of the prize are monthly writers’ labs, a week-long writing retreat, two panel-led progress labs and an industry showcase at the end of the 12 months.
Speaking about the award, Stile and Drewe said: “Writing a good musical is really hard. We were lucky enough to receive advice and support from some of the best in the industry, including Cameron, during the early years of our careers. Together with Mercury Musical Developments, we’ve long been championing new writers in the UK and we hope this new Mentorship Award will really make a difference to the quality of musical theatre writing in the UK.”
This new award follows the success of their Best New Song prize, which recognises an outstanding song from a new musical.
Mackintosh added: “I have worked with George and Anthony for over 30 years having produced their first musical Just So, so I can’t think of any writing collaboration better versed in the challenges of a career in musical theatre or having more knowledge of the highs and lows that inevitably come with writing any new musical… They are the ideal pair to mentor the next generation of musical writers with their hard earned wisdom and knowledge of the endless work and joy involved in the creation of this rare but much loved art.”
The MTI Stiles + Drewe Mentorship Award is now open for submissions. It closes on 9 March. For more information visit the Stiles and Drewe website.