Spring New Works Summit 2025

Ease into the day with a casual networking coffee reception. Grab a cup or bring your own, connect with fellow attendees and kickstart conversations before diving into the sessions ahead.

Whether you’re applying to a festival, residency, grant or development program, how you present yourself and your musical can make all the difference. In an industry flooded with talent and opportunity seekers, how do you make your submission rise to the top? This session offers practical strategies and honest insights on how to craft a compelling identity—for both you and your project. From bios to loglines, script excerpts to artist statements, learn what resonates with curators… and what turns them off.

Featuring:
Cara Reichel, Prospect Musicals (NY) + THE OSCAR MICHEAUX PROJECT (Fest ’24)
Anika Chapin, Signature Theatre (DC)
Christine Toy Johnson, Asian American Theatre Artists Collective (NY)
Veronica Mansour, LIGHTHOUSE (Fest ’24)

Licensing and publishing aren’t just about distribution after a show is complete—they can also be powerful tools in audience development during the creative process. This session dives into how Licensors and Publishers think about marketing, artist positioning and long-tail development. Learn what these organizations look for, how marketing works from the publisher’s side, and how to make your work appealing and accessible to both audiences and future producers.

Featuring:
Adam Gwon, STRING (Fest ’14)
Steph Cowan, Broadway Licensing Global
Lauren Grajewski, Harper Collins Publishing
Amy Rose Marsh, Concord Theatricals
Liz Ulmer, Sony Music Publishing

For those in the early stages of their careers, this session offers candid conversations with rising composers, lyricists, playwrights, directors and administrators. Attendees will discuss how they’ve navigated industry entry points, built relationships and found visibility amid the noise. Expect a mix of practical advice, lessons learned and a look at the resources available to those starting out.

Facilitated by:
Hayley Goldenberg, Festival Emerging Artist (Fest ’22)
Julia Sonya Koyfman, Festival Emerging Artist (Fest ’24)
Irvin Mason Jr., Festival Emerging Artist (Fest ’22)

For artists with an established body of work, this conversation explores the nuances of navigating the industry mid-career. How do you maintain momentum while developing new projects? What opportunities exist beyond traditional pipelines? How can you leverage past successes into future visibility? Panelists will share insights on audience growth, career longevity and strategic decision-making.

Facilitated by:
Andrea Daly, LEGENDALE (Fest ’15)
Timothy Huang, AMERICAN MORNING (Fest ’15)

Not every path to an audience starts on stage. This session explores creative development strategies that live beyond traditional routes through music, podcasting, film, television and more. Hear from artists and creatives who have used “offstage” mediums to gain traction, test ideas or build fanbases in spaces where theatre hasn’t always reached—sometimes leading right back to the theatre, and sometimes not. Perfect for artists looking to grow their visibility beyond the back row.

Featuring:
Caley Beretta, Disney Theatrical Productions
Jennifer Apple, Empowered Artist Collective Podcast
Christopher Dimond, THE NOTEWORTHY LIFE OF HOWARD BARNES (Fest ’14) + DANI GIRL (Fest ’11)
Jaime Lozano, DESAPARECIDAS (FYFNM ’24)

How can musical theatre artists cultivate a fanbase before their work is even on stage? This conversation unpacks the evolving digital landscape, offering insight into content creation, audience engagement, and online community-building for musical theatre artists. Learn from those who have successfully built visibility through platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube—and discover how to craft a digital presence that fuels both creative and career growth.

Featuring:
Braley Degenhardt, Atlantic Theater Company (NY)
Joey Contreras, IN PIECES + MTSC ’24
Cara Rose DiPietro, Actor & Influencer
Natalie Wilson, Circle in the Square Theatre School (NY) + FYFNM ’17

Wrap up the day with a casual networking reception, where attendees can continue conversations, connect with panelists and forge new collaborations. Small bites and non-alcoholic beverages provided for registered attendees. Cash bar available.