This November, UPLIFT Musical Theatre marks its five-year anniversary with a vibrant three-concert series at London’s Phoenix Arts Club.
The first concert kicks off on Bonfire Night, Wednesday 5th November 2025, followed by performances on Sunday 15th February 2026 and Thursday 23rd April 2026.
Each concert will be performed live and streamed online, continuing UPLIFT’s mission to make musical theatre accessible to audiences worldwide.
UPLIFT has reached viewers in over 25 countries and was honoured with a WhatsOnStage Angel Award for its innovative hybrid format.
Audiences can expect uplifting songs, show-stopping performances, interactive moments, and the now-iconic ‘intermission dance break’.
Hosted by founder and performer Kristie Winsen, the concerts will feature a stellar lineup of West End and international talent.
Artists appearing across the series include Irene Alano-Rhodes (Miss Saigon, Avenue Q), Zachary Willis (After The Act), Natasha Hoeberigs (The Rocky Horror Show), Anna Unwin (Aspects of Love), Dean Makowski-Clayton (Midnight Cowboy), Tomo Watanabe (My Neighbour Totoro), and Constantine Andronikou (The Fabulist).
Also performing are Shaylyn Gibson, Hayley Maybury, Mike Iliffe-Bradley, Olivia Moloney, Ciara Power, Matteo Giambiasi, Lizzie Tatton, Mikki Villa, Sophie Muringu, and Josephine Shaw.
We sat down with Kristie Winsen to learn more about about the project and her other work.
What can you tell me about UPLIFT?
UPLIFT Musical Theatre is a hybrid live-and-digital concert series that brings together West End and international singers. It’s all about joy, connection, and making musical theatre accessible to everyone.
Where did the idea for UPLIFT come from?
I had just completed my musical theatre studies at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama when the pandemic brought live theatre — and my performing career — to a halt. I took part in a few online concerts and saw real potential in Zoom, which was so new at the time! I gathered some fellow musical theatre graduates and a few West End performers to create a concert that would lift the spirits of my friends and family. That’s how UPLIFT began — and it quickly reached audiences in more than 25 countries. We’ve continued ever since. Connection mattered then, and it still matters now — and musical theatre is the perfect way to bring people together.
I had just completed my musical theatre studies at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama when the pandemic brought live theatre — and my performing career — to a halt. I took part in a few online concerts and saw real potential in Zoom, which was so new at the time! I gathered some fellow musical theatre graduates and a few West End performers to create a concert that would lift the spirits of my friends and family. That’s how UPLIFT began — and it quickly reached audiences in more than 25 countries. We’ve continued ever since. Connection mattered then, and it still matters now — and musical theatre is the perfect way to bring people together.
What can audiences expect from the three concerts that you have lined up at The Phoenix Arts Club?
Our Five-Year Anniversary Concerts will have everything audiences have come to love about UPLIFT — hits from musical theatre, animated films and movie musicals; interactive audience moments; interviews; and, of course, show-stopping performances.
Our Five-Year Anniversary Concerts will have everything audiences have come to love about UPLIFT — hits from musical theatre, animated films and movie musicals; interactive audience moments; interviews; and, of course, show-stopping performances.
We’ve assembled a dream line-up of West End and international talent — truly some of my favourite performers to work with. The concerts are performed live at the Phoenix Arts Club and streamed simultaneously on Zoom for our global audience, blending both experiences to create something uniquely hybrid and deeply connected.
And my favourite part? Our iconic intermission dance break — a theatre-wide dance party that bursts through the screen and into homes around the world. If you’re a musical theatre fan, this is definitely a concert series for you!
How do you approach selecting what songs and artists to feature in one of the concerts?
Curating a set list for UPLIFT is one of my favourite parts of the process. I see it as shaping a musical journey — one that flows with intention and heart. Each concert needs to feel cohesive yet full of surprises, moving seamlessly from joy to reflection and back again. I love weaving together those well-loved songs that everyone knows with new or unexpected choices that make people sit forward and listen in a different way.
Curating a set list for UPLIFT is one of my favourite parts of the process. I see it as shaping a musical journey — one that flows with intention and heart. Each concert needs to feel cohesive yet full of surprises, moving seamlessly from joy to reflection and back again. I love weaving together those well-loved songs that everyone knows with new or unexpected choices that make people sit forward and listen in a different way.
I work closely with each performer to find material that not only showcases their voice but also their spirit — songs that feel true to who they are. Every artist involved in UPLIFT comes through personal recommendation; we look for performers who are outstanding in their craft and, above all, generous in heart. That combination creates something really special on stage — and the audience can feel it.
I spent around fifteen years in business and marketing, working with major global brands and learning how to lead projects, bring people together and deliver results — all skills that now serve me daily as a producer. But after years in that very structured career path, I realised something was missing creatively.
In 2017 I carved out time to start singing lessons again, and it completely changed the course of my life. Within six months, I was singing in a way I’d only ever dreamed of — it felt like discovering a new language of personal expression. That’s really where this journey began — rediscovering my voice as a performer, and eventually finding new ways to combine that with my love of producing and bringing people together.
In 2017 I carved out time to start singing lessons again, and it completely changed the course of my life. Within six months, I was singing in a way I’d only ever dreamed of — it felt like discovering a new language of personal expression. That’s really where this journey began — rediscovering my voice as a performer, and eventually finding new ways to combine that with my love of producing and bringing people together.
Now, my professional and creative worlds have merged beautifully. Between producing, performing and presenting, my life has become entirely centred around musical theatre — and I couldn’t be happier about that.
How vital was the training you then went on to do at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama?
I’d been performing from a very young age — everything from competitions and concerts to Shakespeare, as well as radio presenting when I was in Australia — but during my corporate years, that creative part of me was on pause. When I began singing again, it felt as though all those instincts and experiences came rushing back. But now I had the maturity and focus to really develop the craft.
As I researched musical theatre courses, the Diploma in Musical Theatre at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama kept appearing in my online searches— it felt meant to be. I learned so much from my cohort of ten classmates and my tutors. It was a transformative time - I was finally doing what I had always longed to do, and I cherished every moment.
I’d been performing from a very young age — everything from competitions and concerts to Shakespeare, as well as radio presenting when I was in Australia — but during my corporate years, that creative part of me was on pause. When I began singing again, it felt as though all those instincts and experiences came rushing back. But now I had the maturity and focus to really develop the craft.
As I researched musical theatre courses, the Diploma in Musical Theatre at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama kept appearing in my online searches— it felt meant to be. I learned so much from my cohort of ten classmates and my tutors. It was a transformative time - I was finally doing what I had always longed to do, and I cherished every moment.
Our final project was a workshop of a new musical written by Adam Gerber and Ellis Kerkhoven, which was my first introduction to the world of new musical theatre — which has since become a huge passion of mine. So the training was absolutely vital, not only for my growth as a performer, but also for shaping the producer I’ve become.
Born of lockdown, UPLIFT continues into its 5th year, how do you reflect on the journey with it so far?
When I started UPLIFT, I never imagined the joy it would bring or the impact it would have. What began as a small online concert to lift spirits has grown into a worldwide community, — including those stuck at home, in remote areas, or in places where there isn’t much access to musical theatre. That sense of connection has been incredibly heartwarming.
When I started UPLIFT, I never imagined the joy it would bring or the impact it would have. What began as a small online concert to lift spirits has grown into a worldwide community, — including those stuck at home, in remote areas, or in places where there isn’t much access to musical theatre. That sense of connection has been incredibly heartwarming.
For performers, UPLIFT has offered both opportunity and encouragement. It’s a space where emerging artists can grow, and seasoned performers can reconnect with the pure joy of the art form. Watching performers of all levels collaborate, support one another, and create something magical together has been profoundly special.
Most of all, UPLIFT has been an encouragement to me. It carried me through the pandemic and supported me while I navigated family illness. After every concert, I leave a personal voice message for each performer, thanking and celebrating them — and it fills me with joy to be part of their journeys.
The show won a WhatsOnStage Angel Award, that must have been a lovely moment of celebration?
I never imagined UPLIFT would grow into something that touched people all around the world. So, to sit at home watching the WhatsOnStage Angel Awards and hear my name called out was truly memorable.
I never imagined UPLIFT would grow into something that touched people all around the world. So, to sit at home watching the WhatsOnStage Angel Awards and hear my name called out was truly memorable.
It felt particularly meaningful because the award recognised not just the theatrical performances, but the sense of community and connection that UPLIFT has created. To have something that began as an act of kindness and a desire to bring people together end up being celebrated in this way — for both theatre and community — was incredibly rewarding. And, of course, the announcement itself was delivered in that very showbiz style I’d always imagined if I ever won an award, which made the moment all the more magical.
You also host HORIZONS at CrazyCoqs which celebrates emerging musicals, what can you tell me about this project and the shows you've seen come through this?
HORIZONS is a beautiful annual evening every January at the Crazy Coqs. We’re currently preparing for VOL #3! Every year we feature four composers or songwriting teams and we weave together songs from those composers throughout the show. The concert series came out of my own journey of discovering new musical theatre…I wondered why more musical theatre fans weren’t discovering these amazing new songs!
HORIZONS is a beautiful annual evening every January at the Crazy Coqs. We’re currently preparing for VOL #3! Every year we feature four composers or songwriting teams and we weave together songs from those composers throughout the show. The concert series came out of my own journey of discovering new musical theatre…I wondered why more musical theatre fans weren’t discovering these amazing new songs!
Every year, we bring together a fresh, stellar cast of performers who move the audience with their delivery of new material. We’ve featured a whole range of songs throughout the concerts - but one special moment was seeing Shaylyn Gibson perform Jordan Li Smith’s “Spouses of Astronauts” from his new musical 73 Seconds because it was the very first time the song had ever been performed for an audience.
You also work as General Manager at Aria Entertainment which oversees major Off West End musicals including the forthcoming Ballad Lines. How excited are you for that project to land?
Working with Katy Lipson at Aria Entertainment is a real privilege — she’s an incredible champion of new musical theatre. Through my role as General Manager, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to a range of exciting Off West End projects, supporting writers and creative teams as their work comes to life. I’m deeply passionate about new musicals, so it’s incredibly rewarding to help bring fresh stories — like Ballad Lines — to the stage.
Working with Katy Lipson at Aria Entertainment is a real privilege — she’s an incredible champion of new musical theatre. Through my role as General Manager, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to a range of exciting Off West End projects, supporting writers and creative teams as their work comes to life. I’m deeply passionate about new musicals, so it’s incredibly rewarding to help bring fresh stories — like Ballad Lines — to the stage.
What was the first piece of theatre you remember having a big impact on you?
I grew up in a smaller town in Australia, and for my eighth birthday my parents took me to Sydney to see Cats. It was also their anniversary, and we stayed in a nice hotel and went to a fancy restaurant for dinner — so I’m not quite sure who the trip was really for! But for me, it was absolutely life-changing. Until that time, I’d never seen singing, acting, and dancing woven together at such a professional level, and it unlocked something in me.
I grew up in a smaller town in Australia, and for my eighth birthday my parents took me to Sydney to see Cats. It was also their anniversary, and we stayed in a nice hotel and went to a fancy restaurant for dinner — so I’m not quite sure who the trip was really for! But for me, it was absolutely life-changing. Until that time, I’d never seen singing, acting, and dancing woven together at such a professional level, and it unlocked something in me.
After that, the Bell Shakespeare Company’s touring productions became a huge source of inspiration whenever they came to my hometown. I remember playing Katherina in The Taming of the Shrew at school and going to see Bell Shakespeare’s production during that time. John Bell, the founder and director, was sitting at the back of the audience and generously spent some time with me talking about the role — that had a profound impact on me as a teenager.
What keeps you inspired?
I continue to be inspired daily working in this beautiful industry, but what moves me most is watching people sing. When you see someone sing, I believe you glimpse the most open and heartfelt part of who they are, and that never fails to thrill me. I hope I never lose that joy — and that’s why UPLIFT means so much to me. It’s all about giving space for those moments.
I continue to be inspired daily working in this beautiful industry, but what moves me most is watching people sing. When you see someone sing, I believe you glimpse the most open and heartfelt part of who they are, and that never fails to thrill me. I hope I never lose that joy — and that’s why UPLIFT means so much to me. It’s all about giving space for those moments.
You spin many plates within the industry but simply, what does musical theatre mean to you?
It’s the artform of my heart. It’s been that way since I was eight, and I hope it will be until I’m eighty. There’s just something about the combination of storytelling, music, and emotion that feels like home to me.
It’s the artform of my heart. It’s been that way since I was eight, and I hope it will be until I’m eighty. There’s just something about the combination of storytelling, music, and emotion that feels like home to me.
Where can readers catch one of your projects?
You can join UPLIFT Musical Theatre on Wednesday 5 November at the Phoenix Arts Club — or be part of the global audience tuning in live on Zoom. The series continues in 2026, with performances on Sunday 15 February and Thursday 23 April. Plus, keep an eye out for the next HORIZONS concert at the Crazy Coqs, planned for January 2026.
You can join UPLIFT Musical Theatre on Wednesday 5 November at the Phoenix Arts Club — or be part of the global audience tuning in live on Zoom. The series continues in 2026, with performances on Sunday 15 February and Thursday 23 April. Plus, keep an eye out for the next HORIZONS concert at the Crazy Coqs, planned for January 2026.
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