Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students

MEET THE 2025 sTUDENT WINNERS

about the program

The Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), is a unique educational and professional development opportunity for high school students all across the country to write and showcase musical compositions that could be part of a musical theater production. A submission is one song.

The Songwriting Challenge has an interactive submission process. All Draft 1 submissions will receive feedback from industry professionals — including NAMT members and Festival of New Musicals Alumni Writers, among others. Students may revise their submission for the Draft 2 competitive round, where a group of Winning Songs will be selected, and the Winning Songwriters will be invited to attend Winners Weekend on June 13-17, 2025 in NYC!

Throughout the Fall Semester leading up to the Draft 1 submission deadline, students are invited to participate in free, online educational events and workshops led by professional musical theatre writers, with a focus on the foundations of songwriting. In the Spring Semester before the Draft 2 deadline, educational programs will focus on the art of rewriting, and offer students the opportunity to workshop and revise their songs with the help of the pros and their peers. All programs are free and open to all high school students in the U.S. to participate.

Previous Guest Artists for the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge have included Joey Contreras (In Pieces), Anna K. Jacobs (Teeth), Rob Rokicki (Broadway’s The Lightning Thief) and many more.

Announcing the Winners of the 2024-2025 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students

• “Dancing Through a Dream” by Leela Kumar – 11th Grade from Marlboro, NJ
• “Fall” by Sydney Gray – 12th Grade from Fairhope, AL
• “Fool” by Judah Brown – 11th Grade from Tulsa, OK
• “Hello World” by Karsten Wallace – 11th Grade from Madison, AL
• “Older” by Gwendellyn Doerfler – 12th Grade from Dewitt, MI
• “Second Chances” by Elaina Stuppler – 11th Grade from Portland, OR
• “The Way Iamb” by Sadie Shapiro – 12th Grade from Scotch Plains, NJ
• “Why Not?” by Ali Lewis – 12th Grade from Cincinnati, OH

Listen now to the 2025 Winning Songs!

about the nea

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), established in Congress in 1965, is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. The NEA’s primary activities include grantmaking to nonprofit arts organizations, public arts agencies and organizations, colleges and universities, federally recognized tribal communities or tribes, and individual writers and translators. Grant applications are reviewed by panels of arts experts and individuals from across the country. NEA funding is appropriated by Congress annually.

UPCOMING Events

Check out recordings of past Challenge events at the NAMT Songwriting Resource Center.

Online Re-Watch Event: Challenge Accepted! 2025

Friday, August 15, 7pm ET

Weren’t able to join us in NYC or tune into the livestream in June? Now is your chance to relive the magic of Challenge Accepted! A Concert Presenting the Winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge during our special online re-watch event.

2025 finalists

Meet the Finalists for the 2025 Songwriting Challenge for High School Students! The following students were selected as Finalists this year, with their original compositions showcasing remarkable talent in music, lyrics, style, tone & character. Congratulations!

2025 Honorable mentions

In addition to the Finalists, the following students’ work has been recognized with Honorable Mentions for their outstanding contributions to this year’s Songwriting Challenge. Their songs captivated the Feedback Team and stood out for their creativity and originality. Congratulations!

songwriting Challenge 2024-2025

The Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge is open to High School Students from all 50 states, Washington D.C. and U.S. Territories. Learn more about Eligibility & Guidelines. 

Winners weekend

Winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge will be invited to attend Winners Weekend in NYC from June 13-17, 2025. All lodging and travel expenses covered for Winners and one Chaperone. Learn more about Winners Weekend.

submit your song

Submissions are closed for the 2024-2025 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge. Learn more about Submitting to the Songwriting Challenge for High School Students!

can’t get enough

Learn all about 2024’s Student Winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, and how they wrote their Winning Songs! You can also listen to the Draft 2 demos of their Winning Songs, and hear how those songs transformed when they were performed live in concert for Challenge: Accepted!

LEarn More

Visit the NEA’s website to learn more about the program and hear submissions from previous finalists!

Stay Informed:

Sign up here to receive email updates about the Songwriting Challenge (and other NAMT news, too!). Check out all Challenge Events here.

Are you a participant in the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students? Even if not, are you a songwriter working on something new? Unlock the secret to elevating your songwriting skills! Click now to access exclusive tools and guidance at the Writing is Rewriting Resource Center, and transform your musical theater dreams into reality.

This page was last updated on 08/12/2025