October 24-25, 2024
Nearly 800 Producers & Presenters Anticipated to Attend Festival at New World Stages following NAMT Fall Conference
New York: National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) is excited to reveal the roster of new musicals for their 36th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which is slated to take place on Thursday, October 24 and Friday, October 25, 2024, at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues).
NAMT News
A Concert Presenting the Winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge
A special concert next week will feature live performances by Broadway artists of the seven winning songs from the 2023-2024 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the the National Alliance for Musical Theatre for high school students to develop and showcase musical compositions that could be a part of a musical theater production.
We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2023-2024 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, a joint initiative by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT). This prestigious program provides high school students with an unparalleled opportunity to develop and showcase their musical compositions, potentially becoming a part of a full-scale musical theater production.
As school bells rang through the halls, we caught up with high school teacher and NAMT Observership alum for Early Career Directors, Irvin Mason Jr., during his free period to ask… what does it mean to be “emerging” anyway?
Irvin was participant in the 2022 Festival of New Musical Observership for Early Career Directors for PUP: A CHEW STORY by Marcus Terrell Smith & Robin Schäfer.
The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) has announced the NAMT Member Theatre and Writer Recipients for the 2023/2024 Writers Residency Grants, part of the Frank Young Fund for New Musicals. The Frank Young Fund is a major funding program to support the development and production of new musicals. Writers Residency Grants encourage collaborations between NAMT Member theatres and writers at the earliest stages of a project.
Only weeks after the debut of his first musical’s concept EP, and fresh from the first read-through of his even newer show, two-time Frank Young Fund for New Musicals Grantee Jesse J. Sanchez not only tunes in with us, but also turns up the volume on his creative spirit.
Pop in your headphones! Join us for a jam session and a journey through the heart of storytelling. Find out why when Jesse plays, the world listens.
October 23rd through October 28th, 2023 declared “NAMT WEEK” in New York City. Presented in conjunction with NAMT’s 2023 Fall Conference and 35th Annual Festival of New Musicals, the Proclamation was presented by Laurie Cumbo, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Just moments before heating up tech rehearsal for their one-night-only concert presented by Prospect Theater Company and National Asian Artists Project, we whisked up a chat with Festival Alumni Jord Liu and Deepak Kumar to get the sweet scoop on their delicious Festival hit, Baked! The Musical!
With rehearsals for the 35th Annual Festival of New Musicals just around the corner, NAMT New Works Assistant Skye Cone Ivey caught up with 2022 Directing Observer Rohan Dhupar.
Featuring performances by JAMES ROSE, LUKE ISLAM, ANNE L. NATHAN, BEN FANKHAUSER, EDDIE KORBICH, NATHAN SALSTONE, JOHN CLAY III, SUSHMA SAHA, SHEREEN PIMENTEL, LIISI LaFONTAINE and more.
New World Stages
October 26-27, 2022
Pershing Square Signature Center
October 24-25, 2023
New York: National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) is proud to announce the keynote speakers and Conference Agenda for the Fall Conference titled “New Musicals on the Horizon,” which takes place on Tuesday, October 24 and Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at NYC’s Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street).
One of the most important musical theatre networking events of the year, the NAMT Fall Conference, “New Musicals on the Horizon,” explores the most pressing issues around new work production and development, as well as the state of the industry more broadly. Just as importantly, it provides a community for leaders of theatres from all over the country and the world to share best practices, brainstorm and support one another.
Featuring Performances by:
Broadway’s TALIA SUSKAUER, JELANI REMY, KATE ROCKWELL, SAMANTHA MASSELL, VERONICA OTIM, ASHLEY BROWN, CHRIS McCARRELL, YVETTE GONZÁLEZ-NACER, NASIA THOMAS, CLAIRE KWON and more.
Songwriters Showcase Includes:
THE FITZGERALDS OF ST. PAUL
Book, Music & Lyrics by Christie Baugher
“SONGS BY AN IMMIGRANT”
Songs with Music & Lyrics by Jaime Lozano
COAL
By Nicholas Connors
And Midday Cabaret Performances Featuring Work by:
Ross Baum, Teresa Lotz, Hayley Goldenberg & Julia Sonya Koyfman, and Hope Villanueva & William Yanesh
New World Stages
October 26-27, 2022
The 35th Annual Festival of New Musicals is upon us! This yearly event is a dazzling showcase of what’s new and groundbreaking in the world of musical theatre. Taking place on October 26 and 27 at New World Stages, this Festival is a focal point for professionals from various corners of the industry, from writers and directors to producers and presenters to educators and artist services providers.
Are you planning to attend? Great! The Festival is not just a celebration but also an exceptional networking opportunity. To make the most out of your experience, here are some essential tips to consider:
New World Stages
October 26-27, 2022
New York: National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) is proud to announce the creative teams for the 35th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 26 and Friday, October 27, 2023, at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues).
Now in its 35th year, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre’s FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS is a must-attend event for theatre producers, presenters and developers from around the world. This industry-only festival offers the chance to discover eight new musicals presented in 45-minute concert presentations over two days. As a non-profit organization, NAMT funds the Festival entirely through donations, sponsorships and contributions which underwrite all production costs.
Directors for this year’s Festival include Rebecca Aparicio (Latinx Playwrights Circle), Dev Bondarin (Associate Artistic Director, Prospect Theater Company), Catie Davis (Broadway/Tour: Beetlejuice), Bo Frazier (Chicago: tick, tick…BOOM!), Kimille Howard (Artistic Director, Lucille Lortel Theatre’s NYC Public High School Playwrighting Fellowship), Jess McLeod (Woolly Mammoth BOLD Resident Director), Leora Morris (Alliance Theatre: Ride the Cyclone) and Abbey O’Brien (Broadway: Waitress, Jagged Little Pill).
Music Directors for this year’s Festival include Kurt Crowley (Broadway: Hamilton, Freestyle Love Supreme), Andrea Grody (Broadway: The Band’s Visit), Jesse Kissel (Broadway: Chicago, The Visit), Lily Ling (Broadway: How to Dance in Ohio), Anessa Marie (Off-Broadway: White Girl in Danger), Patrick Sulken (Off-Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors) and Alyssa Kay Thompson (Broadway: 1776).
High School Students Have Access to Even More Free Learning Opportunities
Washington, DC—The Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), is now accepting submissions for the 2023-24 program, an opportunity for high school students to develop and showcase musical compositions that could be a part of a musical theater production. This year, even more resources and constructive critique opportunities will be available for participating students to cultivate their songwriting skills.
Over $100,000 to be Awarded to NAMT Member Organizations
New York City: The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) has announced the 12 Award Recipients for the 2023/2024 Frank Young Fund for New Musicals Project Development & Production Grants and the 10 Award Recipients for the 2023/2024 Impact & Exploration Fund. The Frank Young Fund for New Musicals (FYFNM) is a major funding program to support NAMT member not-for-profit theatres in their collaborations with writers to create, develop and produce new musicals. The Impact & Exploration Fund (I&EF) is designed to help NAMT member theatres pilot new capacity-building programs to advance their missions and build a library of practices and procedures other members can learn from. During the 2023/2024 season, the Funds are awarding $105,000 in grants to NAMT member organizations.
At NAMT, we believe the next industry-defining voice is out there, waiting to be discovered. The Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge is a unique platform for high school students, bridging nascent talent with the luminous world of musical theater.
Over the years, the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students has been a platform for blossoming talents, uncovering exceptional songwriters and bringing their work to the forefront. As we cherish these remarkable alumni moments, we’re also filled with anticipation, looking forward to launching a new season of Songwriting Challenge! Dive into the legacy, and experience the musical tales that have left an indelible mark.
NAMT News
Songs of Summer: Meet the Songwriters
Step into the creative minds of NAMT Festival Alumni: Jacinta Clusellas, Andrea Daly, Robi Hager, Martin Storrow and Melvin Tunstall III. Each of these writers has paved their own paths, captivating audiences with their unique voices. Their work gives us a glimpse into the ever-evolving world of musical theatre.
Get to know a little more about these fabulous writers and join us at Joe’s Pub on July 31st!
In the weeks leading up to NAMT’s “Songs of Summer” concert at Joe’s Pub, we caught up with Olivier Award-nominated Music Director, Arranger, Composer and NAMT Festival artist Andrea Grody as she mused about music. Photo by Jacq Harriet.
National Alliance for Musical Theatre
announces lineup for the
FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS
35th Annual Festival to play New World Stages following NAMT Fall Conference
October 26-27, 2022
New York: National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Betsy King Militello, Executive Director) is thrilled to reveal the roster of new musicals for their 35th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which returns in person and takes place on Thursday, October 26 and Friday, October 27, 2023, at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues).
Free Registration for industry members is now open at www.namt.org/festival. The general public can also receive passes to the Festival through a donation to NAMT. There is also a day-of standby line for the general public for free admission (based on availability).
On a rainy afternoon in both New York & Seattle, we sat down with Neen Williams-Teramachi while they made their last preparations for an upcoming reading of the new musical Yoko’s Husband’s Killer’s Japanese Wife, Gloria.
On the heels of exciting announcements for all, NAMT alumni writers Brandon James Gwinn & EllaRose Chary met with NAMT Member and Diversionary Theatre’s Executive Artistic Director Matt Morrow to discuss their collaborative process, insights from their career in queer theatre and their future projects.
Header: Rehearsal for BLACKOUT at the 34th Annual Festival of New Musicals. Photo by Ric Kallaher.
NAMT’s upcoming 35th Annual Festival of New Musicals received an unprecedented 575 submissions this year. As the Spring comes to a close, NAMT Members and colleagues chime in on lessons learned from a competitive year in new musical submissions. Here are your 2023 Submission Tips!
In honor of Mother’s Day, Shannon Burkett (Fest ’22) pens a guest piece inviting us into her world that unveils a harmony in the intersection of art, adolescents, and advocacy.