Theatres and Theatre Companies
Where New Musicals are Welcome
"Musical Writerzine" profiles theatres that stage new musicals
See the issues of our Musical Writerzine for interviews with theatre directors about their interests in new musicals. See the "Growing Stages" column in each issue. Submission details are included.
Where to See New Musicals
The following theatres stage new musicals. They are not likely to accept unsolicted scripts without an agent, but it is helpful for anyone writing musicals to see new shows.
The York Theatre - New York City
Yorktheatre.org from their history: The York Theatre Company is the only theatre in New York City - and one of very few in the world - dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. For over three decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both new and neglected classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim, multiple awards and nominations, and acclamation from artists and audiences alike.
Manhattan Theatre Club - New York City
MTC-NYC.org ...Manhattan Theatre Club has grown in three decades from a prolific Off-Off Broadway showcase into one of the country's most acclaimed theatre organizations. One of the only institutions in the U.S. solely dedicated to producing new plays and musicals, MTC develops and presents works of the highest quality by both established and emerging American and international playwrights.
Theatreworks - San Francisco Bay area
Theatreworks ...TheatreWorks deepens its commitment to the creation and development of new works with the New Works Initiative. Broadly defined, this program includes traditional and non-traditional musicals, plays with music, and plays with soundscapes. The program encompasses staged readings, workshops, special events, and main stage world premieres. They do not take unsolicited material.
The Old Globe - San Diego
The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 15 plays and musicals. Their aim is to create "theatrical experiences of the highest professional standards." It has become a testing ground for new shows. The Old Globe
Northlight - Chicago
Northlight Theatre mounts new musicals and is a good place to see them in the midwest. www.northlight.org/ . They have staged works in progress from such major writers as Stephen Schwartz, John Caird, Paul Gordon, Scott Frankel, Michael Korie, and others. From their submissions policy: "Northlight Theatre does not accept unsolicited scripts. However, in an effort to support the local artistic community, we do accept unsolicited ten-page samples exclusively from writers living in Illinois."
Other Regional Theatres
See our issues of Musical Writerzine and
Festivals
New musicals are often tested in the context of a festival. See Festivals
Getting your musical produced
See Musical Writerizine 18 -"Five tips for Getting Your Musical Produced." by Kathy Evans, for ideas on getting your show seen.
Comment from Stephen Schwartz
Stephen Schwartz answers a question from a British writer about getting a show mounted: I don't know exactly how it works in London, but what one would try to do here in the States is invite as many potential producers and backers as possible to a reading.
Would it be possible to reassemble the cast who did your first well-received workshop for a day or so for such a purpose? If that's not possible, you could send the script and a CD of selections from the score to potential producers or agents, though sending unsolicited material is I admit a bit of a longshot.
I think it's mostly a matter of trying to get your work heard and seen in any way you can think of; if it's good, people will begin to get excited about it, and through the mysterious alchemy of networking, something may come of that. This is sort of what happened for me with my first show, PIPPIN, which I dragged around New York with me, playing it for anyone wno would listen, when I first got out of university. Above all, persevere!
To send suggestions, comments, or questions write to carol@musicalschwartz.com