Jeremy James Taylor

Jeremy James Taylor OBE is a distinguished British theatre director and writer, most widely recognized as the founder and long-time Artistic Director of the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT), which he led from its 1976 inception through 2003. Initially developed as a children’s musical theatre organization, NYMT quickly gained international acclaim—beginning with The Ballad of Salomon Pavey, which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and received critical praise.

Under Taylor’s leadership, NYMT commissioned over 29 original musical theatre works throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. Many of these productions toured internationally, reached the West End and Broadway stages, and were performed by hundreds of young artists across the UK and abroad. Taylor personally co-wrote or contributed to more than 20 musicals written specifically for young performers, including The Ragged Child, Pendragon, Tin Pan Ali, Les Petits Rats, and Jack Spratt V.C.

In addition to his work as a writer, Taylor is an accomplished director with over 200 productions to his credit. He has been a frequent guest lecturer and adjudicator, offering masterclasses at drama schools and universities around the world. His influence on youth theatre has been profound, and he has played a pivotal role in mentoring and developing the talents of many future stars in British theatre and beyond.

Following his tenure at NYMT, Taylor continued creating new works for schools and community theatre groups. His recent commissions include Cinderella, written for St John’s Primary School in Kingston, and Just William’s War, which premiered in 2023 at City of London Freemen’s School in Ashtead. In both productions, he provided the book and lyrics, continuing his commitment to youth-centered theatre.

Jeremy James Taylor’s legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of British theatre. Through his dedication to creating high-quality musicals for young people and his visionary leadership of NYMT, he has helped shape the landscape of youth performance in the UK. His work continues to inspire future generations of performers, writers, and directors.