1. Act as a launching pad for new musicals
2. Nurture composers, lyricists and book writers
3. Expand the musical theatre repertoire
4. Advance the art of musical theatre
5. Support and encourage new works that are diverse in ethnicity, subject matter, style and concept
6. Discover new work and new voices

Step 1: BE SURE YOUR MUSICAL MEETS OUR CRITERIA
Any new musical can be submitted for consideration as long as it meets the criteria below:

The musical must...

1. Be a new musical that is ready for the wide exposure that the Festival can bring it, and the writers must be ready for the hard work necessary before and after the Festival.
2. Be complete (book, music and lyrics) and be ready for readings, workshops and/or productions.
3. Be endorsed by one of the following (shows written by NAMT Alumni Writers can skip this criterion):
1. NAMT member (click here to view a list of current NAMT members)
2. Any professional theatre company (a company that has been actively producing theatre for at least 2 years, has an operating budget of at least $50,000 and compensates its artists)
3. Theatrical literary agent
4. Commercial producer (any producer with a proven track record of producing musical theatre)
4. Have a demo ready to submit that is an accurate representation of the music and style of the show. 
5. Have full underlying rights clearance of any pre-existing material used (music, source material, etc.) in the script. 
6. Be available for readings, workshops and/or production at the time of submission and available for performance in the fall of 2012 at the Festival.

The musical cannot...

1. Already be licensed.
2. Have been performed in a commercial Off Broadway production, major commercial national tour or in any Broadway theater.  Shows that have had any other reading, workshop and/or production (including regional or not-for-profit Off Broadway productions) are eligible for submission. 
3. Have already been submitted to the Festival twice.  Each show will be considered only two times.

1. NAMT member (click here to view a list of current NAMT members)
2. Any professional theatre company (a company that has been actively producing theatre for at least 2 years, has an operating budget of at least $50,000 and compensates its artists)
3. Theatrical literary agent
4. Commercial producer (any producer with a proven track record of producing musical theatre)

Everyone—with the exception of NAMT Festival Alumni Writers who may submit on their own—must have a Letter of Endorsement; a writer/writing team cannot submit a show on his/her/their own. The endorsing organization will have neither an obligation to support the presentation financially nor any right of ownership of or control over the presentation if selected for the Festival. But endorsing organizations should only endorse shows that they have fully read, listened to and are willing to advocate for as a show on par with the best shows they have ever seen at the Festival.

Based on type, each endorsing organization, agent or producer has a cap on the number of applications it can endorse each year.  Those caps along with required application fees are listed below:

1. NAMT member: 3 musicals, no application fee required
2. Other professional theatres or commercial producers: 1 musical, $75 application fee required
3. Theatrical literary agent: 2 musicals per agent (not agency), $75 application fee required per submission
4. NAMT Alumni Writer: 2 musicals per writer, no application fee required

The fee can be paid upon completion of the online application by credit card or a check can be mailed when you submit the demo and supporting materials (outlined in Step 3).  Anyone can pay the fee; it does not need to come from the endorsing organization.

1. The script must include a title page, a brief synopsis (1/2 page or less), a character breakdown, track listings for the CD included and unattributed author's note (if applicable)
2. All pages must be numbered.
3. The CD track numbers must also be embedded in the script alongside the moments in the libretto when the track is to be played (see page 4 of the sample script).
4. The script must be in PDF format and will be uploaded during the application process.
5. The script should contain no writer information, no agent information, no production history, no previous cast information and no award information anywhere in the script. It should be purely the script as outlined above with no additional information.
6. Mailed scripts will not be accepted.

Step 4: TO COMPLETE YOUR SUBMISSION, MAIL IN THE FOLLOWING:
After you successfully complete the online application, please submit the following by mail or in person by the deadline. Single packages are preferred, but the Letter of Endorsement may arrive under separate cover if necessary.

1. A copy of the email confirmation you will receive after the online application is completed (sent to the primary contact as designated on the online application)
2. A Letter of Endorsement from the endorsing organization that you listed in the online application. (Not required of Festival Alumni Writers)
3. A $60 Festival administrative fee per musical submitted $75 if submitted between January 20 and February 2, if the endorsing organization is a literary agency or a non-NAMT member theatre or producer. You can pay by credit card at the end of the application or mail in a check after the application is submitted, along with your supplemental materials.
4. A short organizational summary (1/2 page) of the endorsing organization, if not a NAMT member.
5. A signed letter from the authors and underlying rights representative stating that underlying rights have been secured in the case where the musical is based on copyrighted material. The letter must state that the rights are secured through full production and not just for the submission process or for the Festival. If the musical is wholly original, please submit a signed letter from the creators stating as such.  Writers working with properties in the public domain should submit a letter stating when the work was copyrighted and that it is now in the public domain. 
6. 4 copies of a good-quality CD with the sequence of the recording matching the sequence of the script. The recording should be a significant representation of the songs in the show that accurately highlights the scope and depth of the score and lyrics. At least 50% of the songs in musical (not including reprises and recitatives) is recommended. Please only submit single CDs, not double discs.
1. 4 copies of the CD should be sent in and only the name of the show should appear on the CD and on the jacket or liner.  No writer or performer information should be included anywhere on the CD.
2. CD track numbers must be included in the script, corresponding to each song on your CD. If possible, please include a list of tracks with the CD on the jacket or in the case.
3. Do NOT e-mail CD tracks.

Do NOT submit: DVDs, press clippings, marketing or other promotional materials

To receive confirmation of receipt of materials, please include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. 
Due to the large volume of submitted material, NAMT is unable to return any materials.

Submission Deadlines: (postmarked or in person)
January 19, 2012: Non-NAMT member professional theatre organizations and theatrical agents
February 2, 2012: Late Submission deadline for Non-NAMT Members (fee raises to $75/application)
February 23, 2012: NAMT member theatres and Festival Alumni Writers

If you have any further questions about the Festival or of the submission process, please contact Festival Producing Director Branden Huldeen at branden@namt.org or 212-714-6668 x14.