A new category celebrating musical theatre provision has been announced for the Music and Drama Education Awards 2025.
The award, sponsored by Music Theatre International (MTI), acknowledges and celebrates outstanding musical theatre provision in a primary or secondary setting. The winning school must demonstrate that musical theatre is vital to both the music and drama departments and the ethos of the entire school. Find the full list of assessment criteria here.
Of the initiative, Ryan Macaulay – director of operations, education and development at MTI – said: ‘MTI has always been aware of the incredible musical theatre provision in schools across the country. As a licensing company that has always focused on education, we know that musical theatre plays an important role in arts education.’
‘The “school show” can foster creativity, confidence, collaboration, and self-expression among students, and bring the entire school together in ways that no other medium can. Songs from the musicals are increasingly seen in school concerts and being used in music exams.’
He continued: ‘Outreach programmes see students and teachers watching musicals in their local theatres, many for the first time. This new award aims to highlight the outstanding efforts of schools in using musical theatre to enrich their student body. As the popularity of musical theatre continues to grow, and more schools see the benefits of using musical theatre repertoire across their music and drama departments, we are thrilled to sponsor this award to formally recognise the outstanding musical theatre provision of schools.’
Nominations are now open for the MDEA 2025, which celebrate the achievements of teachers, school departments, individuals, resources, organisations and charities.
Read the full list of categories here.
‘We are thrilled to have the addition of this category in this year’s awards’, said Hattie Fisk, editor of Drama & Theatre magazine and co-chair of the MDEA judging panel. ‘I can’t wait to champion a selection of the amazing musical theatre opportunities that schools across the country are providing behind the scenes.’
The deadline for receiving nominations for the 2025 Music & Drama Education Awards is 16 August 2024. This year, nominations will be submitted through a new form-based system, which streamlines the submission and selection process.
The 2025 awards ceremony will be held at the Royal National Hotel in London. The host, and expert judging panel, will be announced closer to the event.
To find out more about each category and submit a nomination online, visit the Awards website.
