Deadline: December 20, 2021
We are accepting submissions for the 34th Annual (2022) Festival of New Musicals!
Online Info Session: Join NAMT’s New Works Director for an online info session about the application process. He’ll walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
The first webinar is on Monday, November 22 at 12:00 PM ET // 9:00 AM PT. (Click here to register.)
The second webinar is on Tuesday, December 7 at 6:00 PM ET // 3:00 PM PT. (Click here to register.)
2022 FESTIVAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS, PROCESS AND APPLICATION
New this year, we are no longer requiring an endorsement to apply for the Festival!
All writers are eligible to submit an application free of charge. Please review below for full details on the application process.
Please note: NAMT does not accept submissions outside of this process. Please follow the instructions below to submit a musical for the Festival. Materials received outside of the Festival submission process will not be returned.
STEP 1: Is Your Show Eligible?
All writers are eligible to submit an application free of charge. Please review below for full details on the application process.
Please note: NAMT does not accept submissions outside of this process. Please follow the instructions below to submit a musical for the Festival. Materials received outside of the Festival submission process will not be returned.
STEP 1: Is Your Show Eligible?
STEP 6: If You're Selected
You can view a recording of this year’s online information session walking through the application process and providing tips for a successful submission below. This video is not intended as a substitute for reading this entire page.
Now in its 34th year, NAMT’s Festival of New Musicals is the cornerstone of NAMT’s mission to be a catalyst for nurturing musical theatre development and production. Every year, we feature eight musicals in 45-minute presentations for an audience of over 700 industry professionals. We look for new musicals at all stages of development from the broadest possible range of voices.
In the short run, the Festival’s goal is to connect producers with writers, so that our shows can extend their development trajectory. The long-term goal is to expand the musical theatre repertoire and advance the musical theatre art form.
Our 34th Annual Festival of New Musicals will take place on October 20 and 21, 2022.
The objectives of the Festival are to:
You can view a recording of this year’s online information session walking through the application process and providing tips for a successful submission below. This video is not intended as a substitute for reading this entire page.
Now in its 34th year, NAMT’s Festival of New Musicals is the cornerstone of NAMT’s mission to be a catalyst for nurturing musical theatre development and production. Every year, we feature eight musicals in 45-minute presentations for an audience of over 700 industry professionals. We look for new musicals at all stages of development from the broadest possible range of voices.
In the short run, the Festival’s goal is to connect producers with writers, so that our shows can extend their development trajectory. The long-term goal is to expand the musical theatre repertoire and advance the musical theatre art form.
Our 34th Annual Festival of New Musicals will take place on October 20 and 21, 2022.
The objectives of the Festival are to:
- Showcase quality new musicals with a wide range of subject matter, style and concept
- Nurture composers, lyricists and book writers of all identities and backgrounds
- Stimulate networking opportunities for NAMT Members and theatre professionals
- Provide a forum to spark new collaborations and ventures
- Encourage future productions of new musicals
Step 1: Is Your Show Eligible?
In addition, the writers must be available for the Festival and all rehearsals.
Still have questions? Check out the Eligibility FAQ.
- The musical must…
- Be complete and ready for readings, workshops and/or productions.
- Have a demo that is an accurate representation of the music and style of the show.
- Have full underlying rights clearances for any pre-existing material used (music, source material, etc.) in the script.
- Be ready for readings, workshops and/or productions at the time of submission and available for performance in October 2022 at the Festival.
- The musical cannot…
- Already be licensed through a professional licensing house.
- Have been produced on Broadway. [Shows that have had readings, workshops and/or productions (including regional or Off-Broadway) are still eligible.]
- Have already been submitted to the Festival three times. Each show can only be submitted three times for review by the committee.
- Have been presented as one of our main presentations at a Festival (excludes shows presented as part of our complementary programming including concerts and showcases).
In addition, the writers must be available for the Festival and all rehearsals.
Still have questions? Check out the Eligibility FAQ.
Step 2: Compile Your Information
Please note the following deadlines for the 34th Annual Festival of New Musicals:
December 20, 2021: Early Deadline for All Submissions
January 10, 2022: Late Deadline for All Submissions (late fees apply)
Shows submitted by the early deadline require no fee for submission. Shows submitted after the early deadline will be charged a late fee, which must be paid by credit card on the submission portal.
Gather Your Information
You will need information on the writers, agents, production/development history and more. This document outlines everything you will need to fill out the application, but you should read this entire page before prepping your materials as there is vital information throughout and our process may change from year to year.
As a reminder, as of this year, we are no longer requiring an endorsement to apply for the Festival!
You may save and return to your application without having to complete it all in one sitting.
Still have questions?
Step 3: Fill Out the Online Application: Work Samples
You will be asked to upload a PDF of the script and a PDF of a 20-page excerpt when you fill out the online application. All script submissions must adhere to the following or your application could be rejected:
The full script and excerpt must include:
- Title page (which should only have the title on it and absolutely no other information)
- Brief synopsis (1/2 page or less)
- Character breakdown (1 page or less)
- Track listings for the demo included
- Unattributed author’s note, if applicable (1/2 page or less)
- e.g. a note about script vs. demo lyrics, or special instructions or how to read internal script notation
- Numbered pages
- Demo track numbers must be included in the script where each track is to be played when reading (see page 4 of the sample script; please note, formatting does not need to be copied exactly).
- The complete script (all scenes, songs and lyrics are on the page)
The full script and excerpt cannot include:
- Writer information
- Agent information
- Production history
- Previous cast information
- Award information
20-Page Excerpt Guidelines
In round one of Festival evaluations, our Festival Screening Subcommittee only reads 20 pages of each script–writers are given the opportunity to choose the 20 pages that they feel best showcases your work. These excerpts must:
Include the introductory pages required in the full script before your selected 20 pages, adhering to the guidelines above.
Be directly pulled from the script without any alterations. Please do not splice together different sections or reformat in any way.
In the application, you will have an opportunity to provide a 50 word introduction to the cut for the subcommittee. Use this intro wisely!
We recommend that you submit the first 20 pages of your script **unless you have a show that is not structured like a traditional book musical.**
Submissions that do not adhere to these script guidelines will be subject to immediate rejection.
View a sample script to get a sense of our suggested layout of the first few pages and examples of how to embed track numbers that correspond to your demo. You DO NOT need to match the exact formatting of this script in order to submit to the Festival.
Demo Track Guidelines
You will be asked to upload individual tracks (up to 20) to the application matching the sequence of the script. You will also be asked to upload a .zip file of the entire demo. These two versions are for the ease of use of the committee. If you have more than 20 tracks, please upload the first 20 and we will pull the rest from the .zip file. Your show does not need 20 tracks to apply; you may have fewer. When possible, please take your name and your performers’ names off of any tracks, including in metadata.
The recording should be a significant representation of the songs in the show that accurately highlights the breadth and depth of the score and lyrics. We recommend including at least 50% of the songs in the musical (not including reprises and recitatives).
The demo should be a recording of good quality with a clear piano (or appropriate instrumentation) and clear vocals. We also recommend that the singers on the recording be the appropriate vocal types for their respective roles.
Step 4: Fill Out the Online Application: Supporting Materials
Proof of Rights
If the musical contains any copyrighted material, please submit a signed letter from the authors and underlying rights representative stating that underlying rights have been secured. Alternatively, please submit a copy of your contract with all financial information redacted. In order to be eligible for the Festival, we must see:
Length of agreement and standards for renewals/extensions (the length of the agreement or option to extend should extend past the Festival by at least 18 months)
Definition of all parties involved
An indication of whether this will be the sole theatrical version permitted of the piece
Clauses indicating who has artistic control over the piece and what approvals are needed at what stages
Still have questions? Check out the Supporting Materials FAQ.