NMI’s RESOURCE CENTER for musical theatre writers

…producers, theatres, contests, ideas, feedback, definitions, glossary, insider tips and advice, and free videos

contest listings

insider tips

glosssary of terms

FREE format video

theatres listing

public domain ideas

musicals online

FREE curriculum video

Welcome to the musical theatre writers’ Resource Center.

This is a FREE page hosted by New Musicals Inc.  We’ve gathered in one place lots of info we think will be useful to writers of musical theatre:
  • hundreds of musical theatre contests
  • over 700 theatres and producers where you can submit your work
  • an idea library of thousands of royalty-free public domain stories and plots
  • a glossary of musical theatre terms (with audio/video examples)
  • access to short videos filled with tips and advice from NMI staff
  • access to critical feedback options and format guidelines from NMI

Everything on this main page is available to view for free!

If you want to be put on our mailing list to get NEWS and SPECIAL OFFERS – please use the SUBSCRIBE form at the bottom of this page.

Enjoy!


GLOSSARY OF TERMS


Here are some samples from our Glossary of definitions of musical theatre terms. We will be adding to this over time - as well as adding actual sample scores and sound recordings. Check back often!

      • List song:

        The list song is a song whose prime characteristic is lyric which features a list centered on a topic. Secondary characteristics vary, but might include: rapid tempo or pace, clever rhymes, minimal grammar and a sense of absurdity. But not all list songs are rapid, and some are serious. Often the raison d’etre of a list song is to feature a performer or to show off a clever lyricist. Examples include: “I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General” (Pirates of Penzance); “The Elements” (Tom Lehrer); “Tchaikovsky and Other Russians” (Ira Gershwin); “You’re the Top” (Cole Porter); “My Favorite Things” (The Sound of Music).

      • ASCAP:

        A service organization which collects and distributes royalties on behalf of songwriters in film, television, theatre, etc. www.ascap.org

      • Vocal range:

        Refers to the highest and lowest notes sung by each character.

      • ANMT:

        Academy for New Musical Theatre. The academic branch of New Musicals Inc. They offer classes, workshops, readings and other support for writers studying the craft of musical theatre.

      • Lead sheet:

        A sketch of a song, including melody, lyrics, chord symbols, tempo, and possibly a hint of an introductory groove, on a single staff, without any realization of an accompaniment.

      *** Click to access the full glossary. ***


NEW MUSICALS ONLINE


Here is one of our featured new musical theatre videos:


CONTESTS

FREE LISTING of hundreds of contests for plays and musicals.

Here are some random samples from some upcoming contests/submissions listings:

      • Sewanee Writers’ Conference (July 30)
      • Jewish Ensemble Theatre Festival of New Plays (July 31)
      • ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop in Los Angeles (July 31)
      • Theatre Three One-Act Play Festival (July 31)
      • BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop (August 1)

      *** CLICK TO VIEW ALL THE CONTESTS ***


PRODUCERS & THEATRES

FREE LISTINGS of nearly 700 producers and theatres for potential submission of your work.


Here are some random samples from our listings of theatres and producers:

      • Black Spectrum Theatre (Accepts Plays / )
      • Mercury Theater (CLOSED) (Accepts Musicals / )
      • Dad’s Garage Theatre Co. (Accepts Musicals / Plays / )
      • Chicago Opera Theater (Accepts Musicals / )
      • Berkeley Repertory Theatre (Accepts Musicals / Plays / Young Audience material / )

      *** COMPLETE LIST OF THEATRES/PRODUCERS ***


IMPROVE YOUR CRAFT


New Musicals Inc. offers a whole series of professional online LABS for bookwriters, lyricists, and composers who are serious about improving their craft. This video is a FREE sample of one of the lecture videos from the all new Lyric Lab 1 - Fundamentals.

FREE PROGRESSION HANDOUT


FORMAT LIKE A PRO


Watch this FREE video to learn how to implement the FORMAT GUIDELINES specifically designed by New Musicals Inc. Make sure your script and score look professional and are ready to go into development.

Want more tools to help you get your formatting right?

*** VISIT OUR FORMATTING PRODUCTS PAGE ***



INSIDER TIPS AND ADVICE


Here is one of our videos with insider tips and advice:


NEED SOME FEEDBACK?


Have you written a musical? Are you working on one? NMI has smart, professional, detailed dramaturges who will help you make sure you are on the strongest path to fulfilling the promise of your work. From video and audio feedback packages to one-on-one dramaturgical sessions, we have what you need to take the next step forward. We even have an annual contest that results in a workshop and concert reading in Los Angeles.

"We really did appreciate all your help - you’ve got just the right tone to critique. It’s a matter of 'A Spoonful of Sugar Helps The Medicine Go Down'!”
                    ~~George Stiles
          (Mary Poppins, Honk, Soho Cinders)

*** Check out NMI's Feedback options ***


LIBRARY OF IDEAS (Royalty Free)

FREE ACCESS to a library of 1000+ downloadable royalty-free stories, plays, plots and other inspiring indeas we’ve found in the public domain for you. There’s a brief excerpt of every item in the library, so you can take a quick glance to see whether or not you want to read the whole text. In addition, the NMI staff has made annotations and recommendations for many of the titles in the library about their potential to become musicals. Save hundreds of hours of research and reading!


Here are some random samples from our listings of story ideas in the public domain:

      • A Death In Fever Flat (by George Cronyn)
      • The Fool who Sold Wisdom (by Jean de La Fontaine)
      • The Love-Philtre Of Ikey Schoenstein (by O. Henry)
      • The Severed Hand (by Wilhelm Hauff)
      • Shortshanks (by Sir George Webbe Desent)

      *** LINK TO COMPLETE LIBRARY OF IDEAS ***

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NEWS, SPECIAL OFFERS, and DISCOUNTS!

It had to be you.
It had to be you.
I wandered around
And finally found
The somebody who
Could make me be true.

--Gus Kahn


Rodgers and Hammerstein – 1951. From the New York Public Library collections.



MUSICAL THEATRE ARCHIVES


Here's a sample of items from our vault of historical photos, and musical theatre trivia about events that happened THIS month in the past:

      • July 18, 2003     Hairspray played its first preview in New York.
      • July 15, 1905     Dorothy Fields was born. Lyricist who collaborated with Jimmy McHugh, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Bob Fosse, and Cy Coleman. Among her most famous songs: “The Way You Look Tonight”, “A Fine Romance”, and “Big Spender”. Also bookwriter for Annie Get Your Gun.
      • July 24, 2003     Acclaimed revival of Big River opened at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway. Produced by NAMT member Deaf West Theatre with The Roundabout Theatre Company in association with NAMT member Center Theatre Group, the revival combined hearing and deaf actors.

      *** Click to access the full archives. ***