Our Story

UPLIFT Musical Theatre began with a simple but powerful idea: to lift spirits through the joy of musical theatre, and to create a space for connection — whether from a theatre seat or a laptop on the other side of the world..  

Our founder, Kristie Winsen, completed her musical theatre studies at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama in 2019 and was poised to begin her performing career when the pandemic brought live theatre to a halt. After taking part in a few online concerts, she decided to create something more regular — a concert series on Zoom to lift the spirits of her friends and family. She invited fellow musical theatre graduates and some West End professionals to join her. Within a year, UPLIFT had grown into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching audiences in over 25 countries.

As the pandemic lifted and live performances began to return, both of Kristie’s parents were diagnosed with terminal cancer. She stepped away from both performing and growing UPLIFT in order to care for them. Now, as UPLIFT celebrates its five-year anniversary, Kristie returns with a renewed sense of purpose and even more reason to keep lifting spirits through musical theatre.

UPLIFT has always been about more than the music. It’s a celebration of performers — offering encouragement during the pandemic when live work disappeared, creating space for graduates just starting out, and giving seasoned artists a way to reconnect with the joy of the art form. Every invitation to perform is wrapped in care and encouragement.

Audiences, too, have found lasting connection — from those stuck at home, to people in remote areas, to countries where musical theatre is less accessible. With online entry by donation and free tickets available for those who need them most, UPLIFT has remained committed to welcoming everyone.

Building on the success of the online concerts, UPLIFT Live in London was launched at The Theatre Cafe in London’s West End — a joyful, interactive concert featuring musical theatre favourites, exclusive interviews, audience participation, and UPLIFT's iconic intermission dance break — all streamed live to a global audience. Watch the trailer.

UPLIFT Together is a live-only concert format, where performers come together to sing ensemble numbers and debut unique musical medleys — including the fan-favourite UPLIFT Princess Medley, first performed live at the Wandsworth Arts Fringe.

Now five years in, UPLIFT continues to grow — with a vibrant international community, an ever-expanding list of performers, and the same heartfelt mission it started with: to lift spirits through musical theatre.