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!

      • The Complete Rhyming Dictionary and Poet’s Craft Book:

        by Clement Wood. New York, Doubleday & Company, 1936, 1991

      • The Musical from the Inside Out:

        by Stephen Citron. Chicago, Elephant Paperbacks, 1997.

      • Thrust stage:

        A stage that extends into the performing area so that the audience is seated around three sides.

      • BMI:

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

      • Professionalism:

        At NMI, we try to treat our members as professionals. Some would say that the difference between a professional and an amateur is a paycheck. But here are some more useful ways of thinking about the differences:

        Professionals arrive for rehearsals a few minutes ahead of time; amateurs allow themselves to be late.

        Professionals show up prepared; amateurs show up unprepared.

        Professionals take responsibility for their work ethic and creative process; amateurs often look for someone to blame.

        Professionals seek out constructive feedback; amateurs get defensive and think of feedback as criticism and judgment.

        (etc.  You get the idea.)

      *** 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:

      • Baltimore Playrights Festival (April 30)
      • ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop in Los Angeles (April 30)
      • Jewish Ensemble Theatre Festival of New Plays (April 30)
      • Theatre Three One-Act Play Festival (April 30)
      • The Kleban Prize in Musical Theatre (May 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:

      • Taproot Theatre (Accepts Musicals / Plays / Young Audience material / )
      • Omaha Theater Company at the Rose (Accepts Musicals / Plays / Young Audience material / )
      • Penobscot Theatre Company (Accepts Musicals / Plays / )
      • RoaN Productions (Accepts Musicals / Plays / )
      • Adventure Stage Chicago (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:

      • The Rainmaker (by Ambrose Bierce)
      • The Lancer’s Wife (by Guy de Maupassant)
      • The Debaters (by Ambrose Bierce)
      • The Wreck (by Guy de Maupassant)
      • The Witch’s Steed (by Ambrose Bierce)

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

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What we did with your perfume,
Remember, darling?
The condition of the room
When we were through.

--Stephen Sondheim


Oscar Hammerstein II, Agnes De Mille, Armina Marshall, Richard Rodgers, Theresa Helburn and Lawrence Langner, celebrating the 4th anniversary of Oklahoma! on Broadway . 1947. Photographer: Mancuso, Ben . From the Billy Rose Theater Collection, New York Public Library



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:

      • April 28, 1941     Ann-Margaret was born today. She made her musical debut playing a R&H ingenue in the 1962 remake of State Fair. She also sexed it up in musicals like Viva Las Vegas and Bye Bye Birdie.
      • April 1, 1929     Jane Powell was born today. She was launched to fame in Royal Wedding playing Fred Astaire’s sister. Her most memorable role came from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
      • April 26, 1970     Company opened on Broadway today.

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