The 22nd Annual Festival of New Musicals will take place on October 18th and 19th, 2010 in New York City. This year’s online application for submitting a musical can be found here.

Submission Deadlines:
February 4th: Non-NAMT Member Professional Theatre Organizations and Theatrical Agents
February 18th: NAMT Member Theatres and Festival Alumni Writers

2010 FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESS

Step 1: BE SURE YOUR MUSICAL MEETS THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

1. Any writer may submit a musical, as long as the submission includes a letter of support from a NAMT Member or any other professional theatre organization or an agent.   The organization who writes the introductory cover letter is the “submitting organization.”  The submitting organization has no obligation to financially support the presentation if it is selected for the Festival.
2. All applications must include this letter, the only exception being Alumni Festival Writers.  (A professional theatre organization is defined as being incorporated for a minimum of two years, having an operating budget of at least $50,000, and providing compensation to actors).   
3. There is a $60 Administrative Fee for Non-NAMT Member Professional Theatre Organizations and Literary Agencies to submit to the Festival.  There is no Administrative Fee for submissions from NAMT Member Theatres and Alumni Festival Writers.
4. If the submitting organization is a Non-NAMT Member Professional Theatre Organization, you will be required to include a brief (up to 100 words) organizational summary with your submission package. 
5. Musicals which have been previously produced by the Festival, have received a 1st class commercial production in New York City, have already been submitted to the Festival twice, or are currently in a licensing catalogue are not eligible for submission.
6. There are restrictions as to the number of scripts different organizations or people can submit:
   1. NAMT Members can submit 3 musicals, at no fee
   2. NAMT Member Developmental Organizations can submit 5 Musicals, at no fee
   3. NAMT Festival Alumni Writers can submit 2 musicals, at no fee
   4. Non-NAMT Member professional theatre producing organizations can only submit 2 musicals for a fee of $60 per musical
   5. Theatrical Literary Agents can submit up to 3 musicals for a fee of $60 per musical
7. Submitted musicals must have a complete book and piano/vocal score. (The score should not be included with the submission, only a CD of the music).
8. Submitted musicals must be available for production at the time of submission.
9. The Festival is comprised of a diverse cross-section of musical theatre pieces. Although there are no criteria for style or subject matter, the Committee seeks to showcase pieces of the highest possible quality. Typically, pieces that are chosen for presentation have had previous development or production at professional theatres.

Step 2: FILL OUT THE ONLINE APPLICATION FORM FIRST, AND THEN MAIL IN ALL OF THE REMAINING SUBMISSION DOCUMENTS LISTED IN STEP 3 ALONG WITH YOUR SUBMISSION CONFIRMATION FORM, BY THE APPROPRIATE POSTMARK DEADLINE:

February 4, 2010 - Non-NAMT Member Professional Theatre Organizations and Literary Agencies (include the $60 registration fee per musical submitted)

February 18, 2010 - NAMT Members and Alumni Festival Writers (no registration fee required)

Please click here to open a PDF overview of the online application if you would like to gather information before you begin.

Step 3: EVERY SUBMISSION IS REQUIRED TO MAIL IN THE FOLLOWING:

1. A copy of the email confirmation you will receive after the online portion of the submission is completed
2. A letter of support/recommendation from the submitting organization that you listed in Part 2 of the online application. (Not required of Alumni Festival writers)
3. A $60 Festival Administrative Fee per musical submitted, if the submitting organization is a Non-NAMT professional theatre organization or literary agency. Checks should be made payable to the National Alliance for Musical Theatre.
4. A short bio for each writer.
5. A short organizational summary of the submitting organization if not a NAMT member.
6. 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).
7. For script submissions you can either E-mail in a PDF of your script (option 1) or mail in your script (option 2).
8. All script submissions must adhere to the following: 
   1. The script must include a title page, a brief synopsis (700 characters or less), a character breakdown and a CD
1. Track listing at the beginning of each script.  All pages must be numbered. 
2. The CD Track numbers must also be embedded in the script alongside the moments in the libretto when the track is to be played
3. OPTION 1:  E-Mail Submissions
   1. E-mail one pdf of your script with no writer information or agent information included anywhere in the script. 
   2. Do NOT email audio files, those must be sent in separately on an audio CD
   3. The script must be in PDF format and e-mailed to festival@namt.org
4. OPTION 2:  Mail Submissions
   1. Four (4) copies of the typed script:
   2. Only 1 copy of the script must have the authors' names included on the title page only.  The other 3 copies should have no writer or agent information on any page.
   3. All copies must be clipped with a binder clip; no binders, staples, wire or spirals.
   4. Copies may be single-sided or double-sided.
9. 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)
1. Only 1 copy of the CD must have the Authors' names on it.
2. CD track numbers must be included in the script, corresponding to each song on your CD.
3. Do NOT e-mail CD tracks.
10. Do NOT mail:  DVDs, Press Clippings, Marketing or other promotional materials

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

Step 4: THE FESTIVAL COMMITTEE SELECTS THE FESTIVAL PRESENTATIONS
Note: Only the "Application Primary Contact" that you list on the application will be notified of the results via mail no later than mid-July.

All submissions are reviewed by the Festival Committee, a group comprised of NAMT members (artistic directors and producers) who are at the forefront of new musical development and production around the country. The names of the writers and submitting organizations are not disclosed to the Festival Committee during the evaluation process. Due to the volume of submitted material, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre will be unable to provide feedback regarding why a particular piece was or was not selected for the Festival.

If your show is chosen as one of the 20 finalists, you will have to disclose to NAMT staff if you already have a commercial option on your piece, an attached commercial producer, or any other contractual agreement.

Step 5: IF YOU ARE SELECTED

1. You will pay no further fees to NAMT.
2. NAMT does not take a percentage of future royalties
3. NAMT will pay a small stipend to you, your actors, and your creative team; and provide all other rehearsal and production needs as set by the Festival staff.
4. You will be provided with a handbook for writers that will guide you through the entire festival process, including rules, regulations and deadlines.
5. You will receive artistic support from a NAMT consultant to create a 45-minute version of your piece for presentation.
6. You will sign an Author's Agreement that requires that NAMT receives credit in the billing for future productions.
7. The Author's Agreement also stipulates that you will not sign any contract in regards to your show from the time you receive notification of your selection until 30 days after the completion of the Festival. This requirement allows our NAMT members time to discuss the development options for Festival shows. And it also leaves your show open to possibilities from all attendees – over 600 theatre industry professionals.
8. You will also become a NAMT Festival Alumni writer joining a group of over 330 past Festival Writers and invitations to future Alumni events like roundtables and conferences. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS PROCESS

What is the goal of NAMT’s Festival of New Musicals?
NAMT’s Festival of New Musicals is the cornerstone of NAMT’s mission to nurture the creation, development, and production of new musicals.  We present eight musicals in 45 minute staged readings before an invited audience of theatre industry professionals with the experience and resources to move these shows forward.  In the short run, the Festival’s goal is to connect producers with writers, so that their shows can continue their development trajectory.  The long-term goal is to expand the musical theatre repertoire, bringing new musical theatre to thousands of audience members on stages around the world.

What are the objectives of the Festival?
The objectives of the Festival are to:
•Act as a launching pad for new musicals by supporting high-quality, professional, abridged version to an audience of musical theatre professionals with a proven track record to develop and produce new work;
•Discover new work and new voices;
•Support and encourage new works that are diverse in ethnicity, subject matter, style and concept;
•Expand the musical theatre repertoire.

What costs are covered?
NAMT covers the following costs for each presentation: performance venue, all technical equipment, writer stipend, actor fees, director fee, musical director fee, band fees, stage manager fee, rehearsal space/supplies, script copying, and the program insert for the Festival presentation. NAMT will help cover partial costs for writer travel (if residing outside of New York City), but does not pay for travel or housing for any other artists involved in the presentation.

My musical has already had a full production and is being considered for future productions at regional theatres. Does this disqualify it from submission?
Musicals which have received a 1st class commercial production in New York City or are currently in a licensing catalogue are not eligible for submission. Your musical is still eligible if it has had a production at a regional theatre or is under consideration for a production.

How do I know if my musical is right for the Festival?
The Festival is comprised of a diverse cross-section of musical theatre pieces. Although there are no criteria for style or subject matter, the Committee is seeking to showcase pieces of the highest possible quality and a range of styles and subjects. Typically, pieces that are chosen for presentation have had previous development or production at professional theatres. Click here to see the shows presented at the festival over the past few years. 

Can I submit my musical if I do not use original music?
Although musicals that do not use original music (i.e. revues or books written around music in the public domain) are not restricted from submitting, the Festival is intended to be a showcase for new voices and new talent.

How is the Festival funded?
The Festival is funded solely through sponsorships, grants, and donations contributed by government agencies, foundations, organizations and individuals.

Does the recording I submit with my musical have to be a professional demo?
The recording should be on 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 of the show. A standard submission includes a high-quality demo with a clear piano and vocals (it is not necessary to submit a recording of the full orchestrations).   For the sake of clarity, it is also recommended that the singers on the recording match the vocal types needed for the characters as well as genders.

Should my musical be selected, am I required to provide the cast or are there some core actors in NYC that are used to do the staged readings?
If your musical does not have an artistic team, the NAMT staff and our casting consultant will work with you to find the director and cast that best suits your piece.  The NAMT staff works closely with each show to find the best creative team and cast possible. 

What does NAMT expect once my musical is chosen?
NAMT takes no future royalties, and does not encumber the piece in any way. We require acknowledgement in future productions and/or publications. Also, you may not sign any contractual agreements on your show between the time it is selected until 30 days after the Festival, if no prior contract has been signed.

Why are the staged readings 45 minutes?
The Festival is a marketplace for new musicals and the audience is made up of theatre professionals looking for new talent and new shows to produce.  In order to get the most theatre professionals to come to the Festival, we have found that presenting eight 45-minute showcases over two days garners the highest attendance levels.  In October 2008, we had more than 600 industry professionals attend the Festival, and 6 of the 8 shows found future productions ranging from regional workshops to Broadway-bound productions or have a commercial producer now attached, thanks to the Festival.

If my musical is not chosen will my materials be returned?
Due to the high volume of submissions received, NAMT will not be able to return any materials submitted to the Festival for consideration.

If you have any further questions about the Festival or of the Submission process, please contact Festival Artistic Director Branden Huldeen at branden@namt.org or 212-714-6668 ext. 14.

This year’s online application for submitting a musical can be found here.