Jordan Paul Clarke appointed Cameron Mackintosh resident composer

Jordan Paul Clarke has been named the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer for 2022, winning a six-month placement at British Youth Music Theatre.

Clarke, whose credits include Showstopper! The Improvised Musical and Mischief Theatre’s Mischief Movie Night, will be paired with BYMT to create a new work for the youth company, as well as working on musical direction and composition for other new productions.

The scheme is run by Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network, and funded by the Cameron Mackintosh Foundation. It includes a fee of £11,000 plus £500 for travel expenses.

Clarke said: "Opportunities like these – which allow artists to freely focus on creating new musical theatre with resources and financial support – are rare blessings. It fills me with immeasurable joy to know I’m able to spend the next six months supported by such a nurturing organisation. This is a scheme that puts artists’ ideas first and provides the creative and financial support needed to ensure those ideas can be brought to fruition."

Clarke was one of six finalists for the latest iteration of the scheme. The other five – Adam Howell, Matt Regan, Joanna Taylor, Michael Betteridge and Nimrita Kaur – will all work on various projects for BYMT throughout 2022.

The company is the latest host of the placement, following organisations including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Dundee Rep, Lyric Hammersmith, Leeds Playhouse, Curve in Leicester and the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich.

Emily Gray, executive director of Mercury Musical Developments, said: "To make the most of an opportunity such as this residency, a composer needs to be at a particular stage of their development, when they are ready to connect with an organisation creatively and to bring their experience to the role as well as a readiness to explore and learn.

"Jordan is absolutely at the moment in his career to focus on his voice as a composer and develop his knowledge of working within the vibrant and creatively brilliant BYMT. At MMD we are delighted to be partnering with an organisation focused on making work with young people and excited to see how this relationship evolves and what new musical theatre emerges."