Following the success of its first American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers event in 2013, the Lied Center for Performing Arts announces the return of the ASCAP/Grow A Show New Musical Theatre Workshop, Sept. 9-11.
The workshop seeks new musical theater works with the potential to be developed into full-scale productions. The Lied Center is accepting submissions from musical theater playwrights and composers from across the country. Submissions must be received by May 1.
The Lied Center and ASCAP have signed Broadway industry experts to serve as workshop panelists, lending their expertise to the selected emerging writers. Panelists include Kevin Bannerman, the co-creator of “Ice Age” and regular panelist for the Dreamworks/ASCAP New Musicals Workshop, and Steven Lutvak, who made his Broadway debut in 2013 as composer and co-lyricist of the award-winning “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.” One of Broadway’s rising stars, Lutvak was recently featured in Time’s “People to Watch” column. Actress, singer and Broadway legend Karen Morrow returns to Lincoln as a celebrity panelist after teaching a master class, serving on the panel and performing in the Lied Center’s first workshop in 2013.
“We are so proud and excited to welcome ASCAP back to the Lied Center,” said Bill Stephan, executive director of the Lied. “This event provides a very rare opportunity for students and community members to witness the creative process and magic that goes into the creation of the new musical theater. This unique event brings Broadway’s freshest emerging talent to Lincoln. Who knows, we may be getting the first look at the next ‘Les Miserables’ or ‘Wicked’!”
As part of the workshop, the Lied Center will host an evening of Broadway music on the Lied stage featuring workshop panelists working alongside UNL performing arts students on Sept. 10. The student concert will be produced and directed by Alisa Belflower, associate producer in musical theater development with the Lied Center.
Each year, playwrights and composers submit new musical theater works for development at workshops hosted by ASCAP. Other workshop locations include New York and Los Angeles. Lincoln is only the second Midwest city to be selected to host the New Musical Theatre Workshop, along with Chicago.
“The Lied Center provides a safe and friendly place to develop new work,” said Michael Kerker, vice president of ASCAP’s Musical Theatre division. “Lincoln is the perfect venue for emerging writers to take risks before their musical is ready for opening night. The last ASCAP workshop at the Lied Center attracted up-and-coming playwrights and composers from all over the country and garnered national attention. We expect this year to be no different.”
Full instructions for submission are available at http://liedcenter.org/news. Send entries to Becky Boesen, the creative services specialist at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, 301 N. 12th St.
For more information, contact Boesen at rboesen2@unl.edu or 402-472-3215.
