Deadline: January 12, 2021
SOUND BITES is an Annual 10-Minute Musical Festival, which showcases ten 10-minute musicals, all in one evening. Any 10-minute piece that can be performed, has a beginning, middle, and end story arch, and includes music qualifies! Now in its seventh year, SOUND BITES offers an opportunity for talented musical theatre writers, composers, and lyricists to present their work in front of audiences and industry professionals. We at Theatre Now strive to provide an experience that fosters community, service, growth, innovation, and diversity among the writing teams and musical selections. Through an open submission process, Theatre Now selects the finalists for presentation in New York City each spring. It has become an annual event and continues not only to grow larger each year but past selections have gone on to be part of New York Musical Festival Next Link Project, City Theatre’s Short Play Festival in Miami, FL, and The Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival.
Due to COVID-19 SOUND BITES 7.0 that was originally scheduled for April 22, 2020 was cancelled and rescheduled for May 3, 2021. Eight of the 10-minute musicals were chosen for the April performance and will appear in the rescheduled May date. We will add an additional 2 musicals for a total of 10. Therefore we are only accepting two musicals from this submission.
When's the deadline to submit and is there a fee to submit?
Deadline is on January 12th, 2021, and there are no fees to submit!
Who chooses the musicals?
A group of diverse industry 12 professional adjudicators that includes producers, literary managers, directors, professional performers, and writers from previous SOUND BITES guided by our Theatre Now staff members. We guide the committee to consider artistic quality, uniqueness and diversity of the pieces so the evening represents a wide range of styles and types of musicals. BIPOC writers, LGBTQ+ writers, and writers with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
When & where is SOUND BITES?
Monday, May 3rd, 2021 at 7pm at Merkin Hall At Kaufman Music Center in New York City.
What's the time commitment?
From the First meeting on January 24th through the last meeting on May 9th.
Click here for more info.
Do I need to live in the NYC area to participate?
No, however if chosen, as writer, you would need someone to represent you and attend all required meetings if you do not live in the area.
How much does it cost?
As Theatre Now is an artist service organization, and as the Producer of SOUND BITES, we cover the majority of your expenses and costs. We're the only short musical theatre festival that offer artists honorariums and rehearsal reimbursements for each piece. That said, there are some out-of-pocket costs depending on your show's requirements (cast & creative team size, number of rehearsals, size of rehearsal space, etc.) and personal choice. Most of these costs relate to specific set-dressing, props and costumes for your show and additional personnel such as musicians.
Submissions require a letter of recommendation. What should that include?
Your letter should be written by a theatre professional who can talk about the piece itself or you as a theatre artist.
Ready to submit your show?
Submissions are now open for SOUND BITES 7.0. We are looking for two more teams to join the other eight teams already chosen.
Have more questions? Please email us at soundbites@tnny.org
SOUND BITES is an Annual 10-Minute Musical Festival, which showcases ten 10-minute musicals, all in one evening. Any 10-minute piece that can be performed, has a beginning, middle, and end story arch, and includes music qualifies! Now in its seventh year, SOUND BITES offers an opportunity for talented musical theatre writers, composers, and lyricists to present their work in front of audiences and industry professionals. We at Theatre Now strive to provide an experience that fosters community, service, growth, innovation, and diversity among the writing teams and musical selections. Through an open submission process, Theatre Now selects the finalists for presentation in New York City each spring. It has become an annual event and continues not only to grow larger each year but past selections have gone on to be part of New York Musical Festival Next Link Project, City Theatre’s Short Play Festival in Miami, FL, and The Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival.
Due to COVID-19 SOUND BITES 7.0 that was originally scheduled for April 22, 2020 was cancelled and rescheduled for May 3, 2021. Eight of the 10-minute musicals were chosen for the April performance and will appear in the rescheduled May date. We will add an additional 2 musicals for a total of 10. Therefore we are only accepting two musicals from this submission.
When's the deadline to submit and is there a fee to submit?
Deadline is on January 12th, 2021, and there are no fees to submit!
Who chooses the musicals?
A group of diverse industry 12 professional adjudicators that includes producers, literary managers, directors, professional performers, and writers from previous SOUND BITES guided by our Theatre Now staff members. We guide the committee to consider artistic quality, uniqueness and diversity of the pieces so the evening represents a wide range of styles and types of musicals. BIPOC writers, LGBTQ+ writers, and writers with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
When & where is SOUND BITES?
Monday, May 3rd, 2021 at 7pm at Merkin Hall At Kaufman Music Center in New York City.
What's the time commitment?
From the First meeting on January 24th through the last meeting on May 9th.
Click here for more info.
Do I need to live in the NYC area to participate?
No, however if chosen, as writer, you would need someone to represent you and attend all required meetings if you do not live in the area.
How much does it cost?
As Theatre Now is an artist service organization, and as the Producer of SOUND BITES, we cover the majority of your expenses and costs. We're the only short musical theatre festival that offer artists honorariums and rehearsal reimbursements for each piece. That said, there are some out-of-pocket costs depending on your show's requirements (cast & creative team size, number of rehearsals, size of rehearsal space, etc.) and personal choice. Most of these costs relate to specific set-dressing, props and costumes for your show and additional personnel such as musicians.
Submissions require a letter of recommendation. What should that include?
Your letter should be written by a theatre professional who can talk about the piece itself or you as a theatre artist.
Ready to submit your show?
Submissions are now open for SOUND BITES 7.0. We are looking for two more teams to join the other eight teams already chosen.
Have more questions? Please email us at soundbites@tnny.org