Explore every episode of the podcast New@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1E2 Festival Preview: LIGHTHOUSE with Guest Host Lynne Shankel (Fest '22) | 16 Sep 2024 | 00:20:14 | |
Welcome to an exciting episode of NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers, where we spotlight the emerging voices redefining the future of musical theatre. In this episode, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff from Musical Theatre Radio is joined by special guest co-host Lynne Shankel, alongside the dynamic duo behind the musical LIGHTHOUSE by abs wilson (Book, Lyrics & Story) and Veronica Mansour (Music & Story). LIGHTHOUSE is a pop-country musical that follows Bus, a recent high school graduate trying to escape her Minnesota hometownāand herself. This episode takes you inside the creation of this heartfelt and groundbreaking musical that explores themes of self-discovery, identity, and embracing every version of yourself. We delve into what inspired abs and Veronica to bring LIGHTHOUSE to life, the character of Bus as an unreliable narrator, and how pop-country music enhances the storytelling in this genre-bending piece. Tune in to hear about the creative journey behind LIGHTHOUSE, its development history, and what's next for this Richard Rodgers Award-winning musical. Whether you're a theatre enthusiast, a producer, or just curious about the future of musical theatre, this episode offers a front-row seat to the magic of new work. Don't forget to check out more about LIGHTHOUSE before its debut at the NAMT Festival! Follow NAMT: ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā More about NAMT: ā ā ā https://namt.org/ā ā ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā ā For more information about LIGHTHOUSE, visit https://namt.org/musicals/lighthouse/ For more information on the 36th Annual Festival of New Musicals, visit ā https://namt.org/festivals/2024/ā Follow abs wilson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abs.wilson2 Follow Veronica Mansour on Instagram: ā https://www.instagram.com/veronicamansourr/Follow Lynne Shankel on Instagram: ā https://www.instagram.com/shanktunes | |||
| S1E1 Festival Preview: LEWIS LOVES CLARK with Guest Host Will Lacker (Fest '22) | 16 Sep 2024 | 00:14:09 | |
Welcome to a new episode of NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers, where we spotlight emerging voices in musical theatre. This week, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff from Musical Theatre Radio is joined by co-host Will Lacker (Fest '22) to introduce Mike Ross and Dylan MarcAurele, the creators of Lewis Loves Clark. Lewis Loves Clark is a fast-paced, tragicomic musical that reimagines the famous Corps of Discovery expedition through a modern lens. With a genre-blending score of bluegrass, folk, pop, and show tunes, the musical explores the complex and humorous dynamics between Meriwether Lewis (a closeted alcoholic), William Clark (oblivious yet endearing), Sacagawea (constantly exasperated), and York (who'd rather be birdwatching). In this episode, Mike and Dylan discuss their creative partnership, the inspiration behind Lewis Loves Clark, and the eclectic musical influences that shape the show. Youāll also get a sneak peek into the development process, from the Dramatists Guild Fellowship to the 2023 Richard Rodgers Award. Join us as we dive into the funny, thought-provoking world of Lewis Loves Clark and learn whatās next for this unique new musical. Whether youāre a theatre professional or a fan of musical theatre, this episode offers a front-row seat to a fresh, original work thatās making waves. Don't miss outālearn more about Lewis Loves Clark before its upcoming debut at the NAMT Festival! Follow NAMT: ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā More about NAMT: ā ā https://namt.org/ā ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā For more information on Lewis Loves Clark, visit https://namt.org/musicals/lewis-loves-clark/ For more information on the 36th Annual Festival of New Musicals, visit https://namt.org/festivals/2024/ Follow Mike Ross on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikerosswrites/ Follow Dylan MarcAurele on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dylanmarcaurele Follow Will Lacker on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelackattack/ | |||
| S2E7 Challenge Winners: SYDNEY GRAY with Guest Host ZENIBA NOW | 04 Feb 2025 | 00:26:19 | |
š NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers ā Featuring Sydney Gray In this season of NEW@NAMT, we continue to highlight the winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with NAMT, Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation. These student songwriters had their original songs fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals during Winners Weekend in New York City. š¶ In this episode, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Zeniba Now to welcome Sydney Gray, who wrote the winning song āLittle Miss Heard But Not Seen.ā In this powerful and emotional anthem, we meet Nava Lee, a girl who longs to be more than a shadow moving through life. Fighting against the doubts in her head, Navaās story explores the universal struggle for visibility and acceptance. Sydney shares how āLittle Miss Heard But Not Seenā is part of a full musical she is developing, reflecting on themes of identity and self-expression. Co-host Zeniba Now, who served as Sydneyās program mentor, offers insight into the growth and evolution of Sydneyās song from early drafts to the final orchestrated performance at Winners Weekend. If youāre passionate about storytelling through music and the future of musical theatre, this episode is a must-listen! Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT! š Follow NAMT: ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā More about NAMT: ā https://namt.org/ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit ā https://namt.org/challenge/ā Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: ā https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU?ā Watch āLittle Miss Heard But Not Seenā from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/ZfecFDyJLsk? | |||
| S2E6 Challenge Winners: OWEN YEH-LEE with Guest Host JAIME LOZANO | 04 Feb 2025 | 00:19:38 | |
š NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers ā Featuring Owen Yeh-Lee In this season of NEW@NAMT, we continue to highlight the winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with NAMT, Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation. These student songwriters had their original songs fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals during Winners Weekend in New York City. š¶ In this episode, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Jaime Lozano to welcome Owen Yeh-Lee, who wrote the winning song āSpacetime.ā Inspired by the Chinese folktale of the Moon Goddess Changāe, Spacetime follows Hou Yi as he mourns his wifeās departure to the moon, grappling with loneliness, grief, and despair. Owen shares the inspiration behind his mythologically rich and emotionally charged song, along with insights into his songwriting process, his experience working with Broadway performer Telly Leung, and the lessons he learned about collaboration in musical theatre during Winners Weekend. Co-host Jaime Lozano, who served as Owenās program mentor, reflects on Owenās musical storytelling, cultural influences, and artistic growth throughout the challenge. āØ If youāre passionate about new voices in musical theatre and the future of songwriting, this episode is a must-listen! š Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT! Follow NAMT: ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā More about NAMT: ā ā https://namt.org/ā ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā ā For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit ā ā https://namt.org/challenge/ā ā Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: ā ā https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU?ā ā Watch āSpacetimeā from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/ArlR_KtxlSc? | |||
| S1E5 Festival Preview: PROUD MARYS with Guest Host Justin Huertas (Fest '20) | 30 Sep 2024 | 00:23:55 | |
It's the next episode of NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers, where we highlight emerging voices in musical theatre! This week, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Justin Huertas to interview the creators of Proud MarysāJennifer Paz (Book & Lyrics) and Anthony Fedorov (Music & Lyrics). Proud Marys is a seriocomedy that follows three daughters in a religious Filipino-American family who shake up tradition when they all become pregnant out of wedlock at the same time. The musical busts open the myth of the model minority Asian-American family, exploring issues of reproductive health, family dynamics, and cultural expectations through a blend of pop and Latin pop, with elements of Filipino Rondalla. In this episode, Jennifer and Anthony share their personal inspirations for the story, including Jenniferās own experiences with family planning, and how they combined diverse musical styles to reflect the themes of the show. From its beginnings as a TV pilot to a genre-bending musical, Proud Marys offers a bold and thought-provoking look at family, womenās health, and the choices we make in life. Be sure to check out more about Proud Marys before it takes the stage at the NAMT Festival! Follow NAMT: ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā ā ā ā More about NAMT: ā ā ā ā ā ā https://namt.org/ā ā ā ā ā ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā ā ā ā ā For more information about Proud Marys, visit ā ā ā ā https://namt.org/musicals/proud-marys/ For more information on the 36th Annual Festival of New Musicals, visit ā ā ā ā https://namt.org/festivals/2024/ā ā ā ā Follow Jennifer Paz on Instagram: ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/jenniferpazofficial/ Follow Anthony Fedorov on Instagram: ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/anthonyfedorovmusic/ ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Justin Huertas on Instagram: ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/justinwritesmusicals/ | |||
| S1E4 Festival Preview: HELSINKI with Guest Host Martin Storrow (Fest '22) | 23 Sep 2024 | 00:14:07 | |
Time for the next episode of NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers, where we explore the creative journeys of emerging talents in musical theatre. This week, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Martin Storrow to interview Barrett Riggins (Music & Lyrics) and Graham Techler (Book & Lyrics), the minds behind the dark romantic comedy Helsinki. Helsinki tells the story of a down-on-her-luck waitress and a struggling factory worker who find love amidst the bleak landscape of 1990s Finland. Their shy romance is tested by both the harsh economic conditions and emotional turmoil of the time. Set against Finlandās economic depression following the collapse of the Soviet Union, this absurdly deadpan, romantic comedy asks: Can lifeās ālosersā find and keep the love they deserve? In this episode, Barrett and Graham share insights into their creative process, how they blend dark comedy with romantic songwriting, and why Helsinkiās setting plays a crucial role in the story. We also dive into the developmental history of the show and whatās next for Helsinki as it makes its way to the NAMT Festival. Whether youāre a fan of offbeat musicals or looking for a fresh take on the romantic comedy genre, this episode offers a front-row seat to a unique new work that balances humor, love, and melancholy. ā Be sure to check out more about Helsinki before it takes the stage at the NAMT Festival!Ā ā Follow NAMT: ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā ā ā More about NAMT: ā ā ā ā ā https://namt.org/ā ā ā ā ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā ā ā ā For more information about Helsinki, visit ā https://namt.org/musicals/helsinki/ For more information on the 36th Annual Festival of New Musicals, visit ā ā ā https://namt.org/festivals/2024/ā ā ā Follow Barrett Riggins on Instagram: ā https://www.instagram.com/barrettadamriggins/ Follow Graham Techler on Instagram: ā ā https://www.instagram.com/gr8h8m_t3chl3r/ ā ā ā ā Follow Martin Storrow on Instagram: ā https://www.instagram.com/martinstorrow/ | |||
| S1E3 Festival Preview: IN CLAY with Guest Hosts Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie (Fest ā19) | 23 Sep 2024 | 00:18:42 | |
Welcome to another exciting episode of NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers, where we highlight emerging talents transforming the world of musical theatre. In this episode, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-hosts Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie from Hi, My Name is Ben (Fest ā19) as they interview the creative team behind the one-woman musical In ClayāRebecca Simmonds (Book & Lyrics) and Jack Miles (Music & Lyrics). In Clay is set in a Parisian apartment in 1938 and follows the story of ceramist Marie Cazin as she awaits the arrival of her estranged childhood friend, now a celebrated artist, Henrietta Tirman. As Marie reflects on her life devoted to art, we are taken on an emotional journey through her memories, joys, and heartaches. In this episode, Rebecca and Jack discuss what drew them to the life of Marie Cazin, how they crafted a compelling narrative with a single performer, and why they chose jazz to underscore the story. Weāll also explore the developmental journey of In Clay, which has garnered critical acclaim, including multiple Off West End Award nominations, and its upcoming American debut. Whether you're a theatre professional or a fan of innovative storytelling, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at a show that blends history, artistry, and music in a captivating way. ā Be sure to learn more about In Clay before it hits the NAMT Festival stage!ā Follow NAMT: ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā ā More about NAMT: ā ā ā ā https://namt.org/ā ā ā ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā ā ā For more information about In Clay, visit https://namt.org/musicals/in-clay/ For more information on the 36th Annual Festival of New Musicals, visit ā ā https://namt.org/festivals/2024/ā ā Follow Rebecca Simmonds on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beccalouisesimmonds/ Follow Jack Miles on Instagram: ā https://www.instagram.com/jackhasthisnowā Follow Claire McKenzie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clairemckmusic/ | |||
| S2E5 Challenge Winners: GWENDELLYN DOERFLER with Guest Host ANESSA MARIE SCOLPINI | 28 Jan 2025 | 00:14:36 | |
š NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers ā Featuring Gwendellyn Doerfler In this season of NEW@NAMT, we continue to showcase the winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with NAMT, Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation. These student songwriters had their original songs fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals during Winners Weekend in New York City. š¶ In this episode, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Anessa Marie Scolpini to welcome Gwendellyn Doerfler, who wrote the winning song āThe Cost.ā The song takes us on an emotional journey to 1970s Nashville, where dreams and doubts collide. Through this heartfelt country ballad, Gwendellyn explores the courage it takes to chase a dream, even when youāre unsure if the choice is right. Gwendellyn shares how āThe Costā began as a personal school project and evolved into a universal anthem for dreamers everywhere. Co-host Anessa Marie Scolpini, who orchestrated the song, offers insight into the creative process and the emotional impact of hearing the song performed live by Desi Oakley at Winners Weekend. If youāre passionate about storytelling through music and the future of musical theatre, this episode is a must-listen! Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT! š Follow NAMT: https://linktr.ee/namtpics Follow Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ More about NAMT: https://namt.org/ More about Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit https://namt.org/challenge/ Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU? Watch āThe Costā from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/vksgCRdnLIk? | |||
| S2E4 Challenge Winners: LUISA PARAGUASSU with Guest Host JESSE J. SANCHEZ | 28 Jan 2025 | 00:18:51 | |
š NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers ā Featuring Luisa Paraguassu In this special season of NEW@NAMT, we continue to spotlight the winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with NAMT, Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation. These emerging songwriters had their original works fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals during Winners Weekend in New York City. š¶ In this episode, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Jesse J. Sanchez to welcome Luisa Paraguassu, who wrote the winning song āTalk Pretty.ā The song explores the deeply personal experience of feeling disconnected from oneās heritage due to language barriers. Inspired by Luisaās own multicultural background, āTalk Prettyā tells the story of Mariana, a second-generation Brazilian-American, and her struggle to connect with her grandmother, Iara, who only speaks Portuguese. Luisa shares how āTalk Prettyā came to life through a spontaneous writing session, the emotional impact of hearing her song fully orchestrated for the first time, and how she reclaimed her dream of pursuing music as a career through the Songwriting Challenge. Co-host Jesse J. Sanchez, who orchestrated the song, adds insight into the creative process and the powerful themes behind Luisaās work. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about storytelling, identity, and the future of musical theatre. Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT! š Follow NAMT: https://linktr.ee/namtpics Follow Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ More about NAMT: https://namt.org/ More about Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit https://namt.org/challenge/ Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU? Watch āTalk Prettyā from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/Os8V2O4DuOA? | |||
| S2E3 Challenge Winners: TABITHA MOORE with Guest Host TIMOTHY HUANG | 21 Jan 2025 | 00:16:05 | |
š NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers ā Featuring Tabitha Moore In this special season of NEW@NAMT, weāre shining a spotlight on the winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with NAMT, Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation. These student songwriters had their original songs fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals during Winners Weekend in New York City. š¶ In this episode, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Tim Huang to welcome Tabitha Moore, whose winning song āWhat Did Love Do to You?ā is a pop-infused duet exploring the boundaries set between two people and the importance of embracing individuality. Tabitha shares the story behind her song, from its humble beginnings on ukulele to a fully orchestrated piece inspired by Michael Jacksonās āHuman Nature.ā With insights from orchestrator Teresa Lotz and program mentor Tim Huang, Tabitha reflects on the journey of developing her song, the magic of hearing it come to life during Studio Day, and the connections she made with other winners during Winners Weekend. If youāre curious about the future of musical theatre, this episode is packed with inspiration, creativity, and a glimpse into the next generation of musical storytellers. Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT! š Follow NAMT: https://linktr.ee/namtpics Follow Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ More about NAMT: https://namt.org/ More about Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit https://namt.org/challenge/ Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU? Watch āWhat Did Love Do to You?ā from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/1VU2a9pztVI? | |||
| S2E2 Challenge Winners: ALE FONSECA with Guest Host DYLAN GLATTHORN | 21 Jan 2025 | 00:14:23 | |
š NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers ā Season 2 Continues! In this special season of NEW@NAMT, weāre spotlighting the winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation. Each episode features a conversation with a winning student songwriter and their professional mentors, offering a unique glimpse into the next generation of musical theatre creators. š¶ In this episode, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Dylan Glatthorn to welcome songwriter Ale Fonseca, whose original song āOverthinkingā is from her one-act musical Sonder. Ale, a Miami native and Berklee College of Music student, shares the journey of writing āOverthinkingā, a song about Kelly, an aspiring musician struggling to balance her career ambitions with her personal relationships. With insightful contributions from orchestrator Teresa Lotz and program mentor Zeniba Now, Ale reflects on the process of collaborating with professional musicians, what it was like to hear her song fully orchestrated for the first time, and her experience at Winners Weekend in New York City. Whether youāre a producer, theatre fan, or curious about the future of musical theatre, this episode is packed with creativity, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of āOverthinkingā. Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT! š Follow NAMT: https://linktr.ee/namtpics Follow Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ More about NAMT: https://namt.org/ More about Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit https://namt.org/challenge/ Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU? Watch āOverthinkingā from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/Hi1VjSaZpec? | |||
| S2E1 Challenge Winners: ISABELLA NGUYEN & MAYA JOHNSON with Guest Hosts TERESA LOTZ & JOEY CONTRERAS | 14 Jan 2025 | 00:42:26 | |
š Welcome to NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers! This season, weāre thrilled to bring you NEW@NAMT Season 2, featuring the talented winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation. Each episode takes you inside the creative process with these inspiring young songwriters as they share their original songs, stories, and experiences from Winners Weekend in New York City, where their work was fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals. Join host Jean-Paul Yovanoff from Musical Theatre Radio, alongside a rotating cast of Songwriting Challenge Program Mentors and Orchestrators as guest co-hosts. Together, they guide conversations with these emerging voices, providing insight into the future of musical theatre. š¶ In our first episode of Season 2, we talk to Isabella Nguyen & Maya Johnson, winners of the Songwriting Challenge for their original song āLive Before Lifeās Goneā from their musical Less Than Perfect. Along with co-hosts Joey Contreras (Program Mentor) and Teresa Lotz (Orchestrator), we dive into their songwriting journey, the development of their musical, and the exciting highlights of Winners Weekend. Whether you're a producer, a theatre lover, or simply curious about the next generation of musical theatre creators, NEW@NAMT gives you a front-row seat to the future of musical theatre. Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go! š Follow NAMT: https://linktr.ee/namtpics Follow Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ More about NAMT: https://namt.org/ More about Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit https://namt.org/challenge/ Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU? Watch āLive Before Lifeās Goneā from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU? | |||
| S1E8 Festival Preview: THE BRASS TEAPOT with Guest Hosts Deepak Kumar & Jord Liu (Fest '22) | 07 Oct 2024 | 00:28:36 | |
Time for another episode of NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers, where we spotlight the creative minds behind the next big musicals. This week, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-hosts Jord Liu and Deepak Kumar from Baked! The Musical as they interview the team behind The Brass Teapot: Tim Macy, Ramaa Mosley, Chaz Cardigan, and Erik Kaiko. Based on the 2012 indie cult film, The Brass Teapot is a magical, mischievous dark musical comedy with a driving alt-pop-rock score. The story follows a couple who discover a mysterious brass teapot that generates money when they feel pain. As their greed grows, the musical asks the big question: How far would you go to hurt the ones you love if it meant youād want for nothing? In this episode, the creators share the development journey of adapting the film into a musical, how the alt-pop-rock score enhances the darkly comedic themes, and the opportunities for theatrical magic that the show offers. With its unique blend of humor, magic, and moral questions, The Brass Teapot is sure to captivate audiences at the NAMT Festival and beyond. Be sure to check out this episode and follow the journey of The Brass Teapot as it makes its way to the NAMT Festival. Follow NAMT: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā More about NAMT: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://namt.org/ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā For more information about The Brass Teapot, visit ā ā ā ā https://namt.org/musicals/the-brass-teapot/ For more information on the 36th Annual Festival of New Musicals, visit ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://namt.org/festivals/2024/ā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Ramaa Mosley on Instagram: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/ramaamosley/ Follow Chaz Cardigan on Instagram: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/chazcardigan/ Follow Erik Kaiko on Instagram: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/okiak/ Follow Jord Liu on Instagram: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/jord_takes_pictures_of_a_cat/ Follow Deepak Kumar on Instagram: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/_kumarde/ | |||
| S1E7 Festival Preview: DEAR EX with Guest Host Nikki Lynette (Fest '22) | 07 Oct 2024 | 00:11:15 | |
Welcome to another episode of NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers, where we spotlight emerging talents in the world of musical theatre. This week, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Nikki Lynette as they interview Be Steadwell, the creator of the musical Dear Ex. Dear Ex tells the story of a queer Black woman navigating the heartbreak of a major breakup. Through a series of letters to her ex, Be stumbles through the stages of grief, exploring themes of self-love, addiction, and healing. Set to a vibrant pop and soul score, Dear Ex features an all BIPOC, queer, and trans cast and brings a deeply personal, universal tale of love and loss to life. In this episode, Be shares the inspiration behind this Black, queer, falling-out-of-love story, the musical influences that shaped the score, and why centering marginalized voices in love stories is crucial. Be also discusses a unique dream for the show: creating a community choir with the audience at every performance. Join us for a conversation filled with heart, healing and hope. Don't miss Dear Ex as it makes its way to the NAMT Festival. Follow NAMT: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā More about NAMT: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://namt.org/ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā ā ā ā ā ā ā For more information about Dear Ex, visit ā https://namt.org/musicals/dear-ex/ For more information on the 36th Annual Festival of New Musicals, visit ā ā ā ā ā ā https://namt.org/festivals/2024/ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Be Steadwell on Instagram: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/besteadwell/ Follow Nikki Lynette on Instagram: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/nikkilynette/ | |||
| S1E6 Festival Preview: MEDUSA with Guest Host Shannon Burkett (Fest '22) | 30 Sep 2024 | 00:15:00 | |
Welcome to another episode of NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers, where we spotlight emerging talents reshaping the future of musical theatre. This week, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Shannon Burkett to interview Parisa Shahmir, the creator of the musical Medusa. Medusa is a folk-inspired retelling of the ancient Greek myth, reclaiming the narrative of Medusa and giving her the space to become the heroine of her own story. As Medusa embarks on a journey orchestrated by Hermes at the will of Zeus, she discovers the only power she has is her voice. This raw, powerful musical weaves together themes of strength, courage, and truth as it challenges the classical portrayal of Medusa as a monster and villain. In this episode, Parisa discusses her inspiration for reimagining Medusaās story, how she integrates folk music with Middle Eastern influences, and the themes of female empowerment and reclamation that run throughout the show. We also explore the developmental history of Medusa, from its early conception in 2023 to its current stage of growth, and whatās next for the show at the NAMT Festival and beyond. Be sure to follow the journey of Medusa before it takes the stage at the NAMT Festival! Follow NAMT: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā ā ā ā ā More about NAMT: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://namt.org/ā ā ā ā ā ā ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā ā ā ā ā ā For more information about Medusa, visit https://namt.org/musicals/medusa/ For more information on the 36th Annual Festival of New Musicals, visit ā ā ā ā ā https://namt.org/festivals/2024/ā ā ā ā ā Follow Parisa Shahmir on Instagram: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/itsparisamusic/ Follow Shannon Burkett on Instagram: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/shannonaburkett/ | |||
| S3E8 Associate Artistic Director DEV BONDARIN from PROSPECT MUSICALS | 24 Jun 2025 | 00:29:33 | |
On this episode of NEW@NAMT: Arts Leaders, we sit down with Dev Bondarin, Associate Artistic Director at Prospect Musicals, the New York-based company known for its commitment to boundary-pushing new work. Hosts Jean-Paul Yovanoff and Skye Cone Ivey talk with Dev about her dual roles as director and curator, and how she helps shape Prospectās celebrated musical theatre lab, which commissions writers around a central theme each season. šļø Dev shares insights from directing at Prospect and beyond, and reflects on what makes collaborative development processes thrive. She also discusses her work on NAMTās Festival Committee ā including directing a presentation in the 35th Annual Festival of New Musicals ā and how national community has influenced her approach to new work. āØ Plus: why membership organizations matter more than ever, whatās giving her hope about the future of musicals, and the opening number sheāll never get out of her head. A must-listen for fans of innovative musical theatre and the people who champion it. Follow NAMT:Ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio:Ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā More about Prospect Musicals: https://www.prospectmusicals.org/ Follow Prospect Musicals: https://www.instagram.com/prospectmusicals More about Dev Bondarin: Follow Dev Bondarin: https://www.instagram.com/devbondarin | |||
| S3E7 Artistic Producer KIAN KLINE-CHILTON from DIVERSIONARY THEATRE | 10 Jun 2025 | 00:49:45 | |
In this energizing episode of NEW@NAMT: Arts Leaders, hosts Jean-Paul Yovanoff and Skye Cone Ivey sit down with Kian Kline-Chilton, Associate Artistic Director at Diversionary Theatre in San Diego, one of the nationās oldest and most vital LGBTQ+ theatres. šļø Kian shares their path into producing and directing, their passion for uplifting queer narratives, and how Diversionary builds community through radically inclusive new work. They also talk about directing back-to-back shows at Diversionary and Cygnet Theatre and founding Patchwork Theatre Company to amplify immersive artists in the region. š¶ Plus, Kian reflects on their work with NAMTās Festival Committee and how national collaboration plays a role in spotlighting the stories that matter most right now. š” If youāre passionate about identity-driven theatre, artistic community building, and the future of new musicals, this episode is full of insight and heart. Follow NAMT:Ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio:Ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā ā ā ā ā More about Diversionary Theatre Follow Diversionary Theatre: https://www.instagram.com/diversionarysd/ More about Kian Kline-Chilton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kian-kline-chilton-9b428a133 Follow Kian Kline-Chilton: | |||
| S3E6 Associate Artistic Director & Director of New Work ELISSA ADAMS from THEATER LATTĆ DA | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:37:04 | |
š NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers ā Featuring Elissa Adams (Theater LattĆ© Da) In this Season 3 episode of NEW@NAMT: Arts Leaders, hosts Jean-Paul Yovanoff and Skye Cone Ivey sit down with Elissa Adams, Associate Artistic Director & Director of New Work at Minneapolisās Theater LattĆ© Da ā one of the nationās most vibrant homes for innovative musical theatre. šļø With a career spanning La Jolla Playhouse, Childrenās Theatre Company, Sundance Theatre Lab, and now LattĆ© Da, Elissa shares deep insight into commissioning and dramaturgy, how to build meaningful partnerships with artists, and why Minneapolis is fertile ground for musical theatre development. š¶ Elissa also discusses Theater LattĆ© Daās NEXT Festival, the values behind its curation, and how her work on NAMTās Festival Committee continues to shape the national landscape for new musicals. āØ Plus: her favorite opening number, whatās giving her hope about the future of the form, and the cast recording track sheāll never skip. If you care about bold storytelling, dramaturgical rigor, and the future of new musicals, this episode is full of wisdom you wonāt want to miss. Follow NAMT: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā ā ā ā ā More about Theater LattĆ© Da: Follow Theater LattĆ© Da: https://www.instagram.com/theaterlatteda/ More about Elissa Adams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissa-adams-69367aa/ Follow Elissa Adams: https://www.instagram.com/elissa.adams612/ | |||
| S3E5 Associate Artistic Director MICHAEL BAXTER from THE MUNY | 27 May 2025 | 00:35:27 | |
In this episode of NEW@NAMT: Arts Leaders, we speak with Michael Baxter, Associate Artistic Director at The Muny, Americaās oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre. Hosts Jean-Paul Yovanoff and Skye Cone Ivey explore Michaelās unique journey from performer to choreographer to leader at one of the most iconic stages in the country. šļø Michael opens up about what it means to program a season at such an enormous scale, what makes The Muny a singular theatrical experience, and why casting is about so much more than talent. āØ We also talk about his work expanding the Muny Teens program, his love of mentorship, and how his role on NAMTās Festival Committee helps bridge the gap between emerging work and established institutions. Plus: reflections on staging Come From Away under the stars, what keeps him hopeful about the future of musicals, and the revival heās dying to see. Whether youāre looking for insight into casting, programming, or regional leadership in musical theatre, this conversation is a must-listen. Follow NAMT: ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā ā ā ā More about The Muny: Follow The Muny: https://www.instagram.com/themuny/ More about Michael Baxter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-baxter-59bab11b8/ Follow Michael Baxter: | |||
| S3E4 Associate Artistic Director CAT BRINDISI from ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE | 20 May 2025 | 00:41:01 | |
In this Season 3 episode of NEW@NAMT: Arts Leaders, we sit down with Cat Brindisi, Associate Artistic Director at Asolo Repertory Theatre and a longtime champion of bold, fresh musical theatre. šļø Hosts Jean-Paul Yovanoff and Skye Cone Ivey explore Catās journey from co-founding 7th House Theater in Minneapolis to serving on NAMTās New Works Committee, and now stepping into artistic leadership at one of Floridaās most influential regional theatres. š” Cat shares how Asolo Rep supports new musical development, what excites her about the future of the form, and how collaboration is central to every process she leads. š¶ We also dig into her work as a director, her evolving creative process, and why saying āyesā to an Interim leadership role can change your entire path. āØ Plus: Her favorite composer, the first musical she ever fell in love with, and the cast recording track she never skips. Whether you're building a new musical from scratch or reimagining the canon, this episode is full of insight, inspiration, and heart from a leader helping push the field forward. More about NAMT: ā ā ā ā ā ā https://namt.org/ā ā ā ā ā ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā ā ā ā ā More about Asolo Rep: Follow Asolo Rep: https://www.instagram.com/asolorep/ More about Cat Brindisi: Follow Cat Brindisi: | |||
| S3E3 Associate Artistic Director BRANDON IVIE from VILLAGE THEATRE | 13 May 2025 | 00:37:38 | |
In Season 3 of NEW@NAMT, weāre spotlighting the Associate Artistic Directors and Artistic Producers helping shape the future of musical theatre at NAMT Member Organizations. šļø This week, hosts Jean-Paul Yovanoff and Skye Cone Ivey sit down with Brandon Ivie, Associate Artistic Director at Village Theatre in Seattle and the Drama Desk-nominated director of Lizard Boy. With a career that has spanned Broadway, regional theatres, Off-Broadway and international stages, Brandon shares what it means to develop new musicals from the ground up, the power of collaboration with artists like Justin Huertas, and how Village Theatre supports writers through workshops, residencies, and second productions. š¶ Hear Brandon talk about the Off-Broadway run of Lizard Boy at Prospect Theater Company, why regional theatre is critical to new work development, and what he thinks the industry needs most to support artists. āØ Plus: His favorite opening number of all time, the most underrated musical, and the show that made him fall in love with the form. š If you love new musicals, bold storytelling, and the behind-the-scenes heroes who help bring them to life, this oneās for you. Follow NAMT: ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā ā ā More about Village Theatre: Follow Village Theatre: https://www.instagram.com/village_theatre/ More about Brandon Ivie: https://www.brandoniviedirector.com/ Follow Brandon Ivie: | |||
| S3E2 Artistic & New Works Associate AMBER WALLACE from OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE | 06 May 2025 | 00:43:51 | |
In Season 3 of NEW@NAMT, weāre spotlighting Artistic Leaders at NAMT Member Organizations ā the people driving the future of new musicals behind the scenes. šļø This week, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff and co-host Skye Cone Ivey sit down with Amber Wallace, Artistic and New Works Associate at Ogunquit Playhouse. With over a decade of experience championing new works and emerging artists, Amber has helped bring to life major premieres like My Best Friend's Wedding, Mr. Holland's Opus, The Nutty Professor, and The Da Vinci Code. Sheās also produced over 100 developmental projects at The York Theatre Company, including the beloved Musicals in Mufti series. In this episode, Amber shares her journey from early theatre days to producing new musicals at the regional and national level, discusses how regional theatres like Ogunquit help shape the new works landscape, and explores what excites her most about where musical theatre is heading. āØ Plus: rapid-fire favorites, including her favorite opening number and the first musical she ever fell in love with! š¶ If you care about the behind-the-scenes champions of new musicals, this is a conversation you donāt want to miss. š Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT! Follow NAMT: ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā ā More about NAMT: ā ā ā ā https://namt.org/ā ā ā ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā ā ā More about Ogunquit Playhouse: https://www.ogunquitplayhouse.org/ Follow Ogunquit Playhouse: https://www.instagram.com/ogunquitplayhouse/ More about Amber Wallace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-wallace-387819126/ Follow Amber Wallace: https://www.instagram.com/amberwallaceee/ | |||
| S3E1 Associate Artistic Director MICHAEL FLING from GOODSPEED MUSICALS | 29 Apr 2025 | 00:52:47 | |
In Season 3 of NEW@NAMT, we're spotlighting Artistic Leaders at NAMT Member Organizations ā the people shaping the future of new musicals behind the scenes. šļø This week, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff and co-host Skye Cone Ivey welcome Michael Fling, Associate Artistic Director at Goodspeed Musicals. Michael oversees Goodspeedās celebrated new works programs, including the Festival of New Musicals, the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Grove, and the GoodWorks Commissioning Program. In this episode, Michael shares his journey from directing stages across the country to leading Goodspeedās extensive new work development, and how the theatreās rich history with launching new musicals influences its approach today. We dive into what types of artists and stories Goodspeed prioritizes, how Goodspeed supports emerging writers, and what Michael sees as the future for musical theatre development. š¶ Plus: rapid-fire questions about Michaelās favorite musicals, composers, and first theatre memories! āØ If youāre passionate about new musicals, artist development, and what it takes to build the next generation of theatre, you wonāt want to miss this conversation. š Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT! Follow NAMT: ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā More about NAMT: ā ā ā https://namt.org/ā ā ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā ā More about Goodspeed Musicals: Follow Goodspeed Musicals: https://www.instagram.com/goodspeedmusicals/ More about Michael Fling: Follow Michael Fling: https://www.instagram.com/michaelfling/ | |||
| S5E7 Challenge Winners: ELAINA STUPPLER with Guest Host AMANDA FREEDMAN | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:18:09 | |
š Welcome to NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers! This season, weāre thrilled to bring you NEW@NAMT Season 5, featuring the talented winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation and the Biller Family Foundation. Each episode takes you inside the creative process with these inspiring young songwriters as they share their original songs, stories, and experiences from Winners Weekend in New York City, where their work was fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals. Join host Jean-Paul Yovanoff from Musical Theatre Radio, alongside a rotating cast of Songwriting Challenge Program Mentors, Orchestrators and Artists as guest co-hosts. Together, they guide conversations with these emerging voices, providing insight into the future of musical theatre. š¶ In this episode, we chat with Elaina Stuppler about her song āSecond Chancesā. Alongside co-host and NAMT Program Assistant, Amanda Freedman, Elaina shares about the real-life person that inspired her song, working with professionals over Winners Weekend, and offers advice for current participants of the Musical Theatre Songwriting Challenge for High School Students.Ā Whether you're a producer, a theatre lover, or simply curious about the next generation of musical theatre creators, NEW@NAMT gives you a front-row seat to the future of musical theatre. Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go! š Follow NAMT: ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā More about NAMT: ā ā https://namt.org/ā ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā ā For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit ā ā https://namt.org/challenge/ā ā Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: ā ā ā ā https://youtu.be/sgVucNmcEnQ?si=XYWEpexOwqhHwjjZā ā Ā ā Watch āFallā from the Winning Concert: ā https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeX-qsy_2lU&t=27s | |||
| S5E8 Challenge Winners: SYDNEY GRAY with Guest Host JAIME LOZANO | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:20:57 | |
š Welcome to NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers! This season, weāre thrilled to bring you NEW@NAMT Season 5, featuring the talented winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation and the Biller Family Foundation. Each episode takes you inside the creative process with these inspiring young songwriters as they share their original songs, stories, and experiences from Winners Weekend in New York City, where their work was fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals. Join host Jean-Paul Yovanoff from Musical Theatre Radio, alongside a rotating cast of Songwriting Challenge Program Mentors, Orchestrators and Artists as guest co-hosts. Together, they guide conversations with these emerging voices, providing insight into the future of musical theatre. š¶ In the final episode of this season, we talk to Sydney Gray a two-time winner of the Songwriting Challenge, about her song āFallā from her musical Anavaly. Alongside co-host Jaime Lozano, Sydney shares how she approached Winners Weekend a second time around, how she interprets feedback, and offers advice for current participants of the Musical Theatre Songwriting Challenge for High School Students.Ā Whether you're a producer, a theatre lover, or simply curious about the next generation of musical theatre creators, NEW@NAMT gives you a front-row seat to the future of musical theatre. Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go! š Follow NAMT: ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā More about NAMT: ā https://namt.org/ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit ā https://namt.org/challenge/ā Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: ā https://youtu.be/sgVucNmcEnQ?si=XYWEpexOwqhHwjjZĀ Watch āFallā from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/Fm7KWdrliug?si=WZ81Sx1v2gUyAQ4dĀ | |||
| S4E7 Festival Preview: PARTICLE Featuring NAMT Festival Writers AUTUMN REESER, SELDA SAHIN & DEREK GREGOR | 07 Oct 2025 | 00:22:21 | |
NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers ā Featuring Selda Sahin, Autumn Reeser & Derek Gregor (PARTICLE) On this episode of NEW@NAMT, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff and returning co-host Dev Bondarin dive into the boundary-breaking new musical PARTICLE with creators Selda Sahin, Autumn Reeser, and Derek Gregor ā a multidimensional coming-of-age story set in the high-stakes world of elite online gaming. At the center of PARTICLE are 17-year-old twins, Cora and Seth, whose paths diverge as Cora rises through the Interglow championship ranks and Seth struggles with being left behind. Through a lens of quantum physics, gaming avatars, and a synth-driven score, PARTICLE explores what it means to stay connected across digital and emotional realms ā and the transcendent power of love. š” Written over Zoom during the pandemic and inspired by both online culture and real-life sibling bonds, PARTICLE offers a heartfelt, genre-defying look at identity, grief, and the possibilities of virtual worlds. The musical has been developed with Michigan State University, Nazareth College, Missouri State, and Broadway Unlocked. Follow NAMT:Ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio:Ā More about Particle: ā https://namt.org/musicals/particle/ā Follow Autumn: https://www.instagram.com/autumn_reeser/ Follow Selda & Derek: https://www.instagram.com/seldaandderek/ | |||
| S4E6 Festival Preview: ROJA Featuring NAMT Festival Writers JAIME LOZANO & TOMMY NEWMAN | 30 Sep 2025 | 00:24:25 | |
NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers ā Featuring Jaime Lozano & Tommy Newman (ROJA) This week on NEW@NAMT, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff and co-host Jen Bender talk with composer/lyricist duo Jaime Lozano and Tommy Newman about their magical new musical ROJA, a reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood steeped in the rich folklore, sounds, and soul of Northern Mexico. In this nuevo musical, 14-year-old Roja embarks on a miraculous desert journey after rescuing a mischievous, magical coyote who offers her the chance to see her father again. š« Inspired by Mexican folk music and Mestizo storytelling, ROJA is a heartfelt coming-of-age story about family, transformation, and the power of myth ā crafted by two fathers who are also longtime collaborators. š¶ Jaime and Tommy reflect on their artistic partnership (which began in 2009), their shared desire to celebrate joyful Latine narratives, and how ROJA evolved from a series of late-night texts into a shape-shifting musical that blends theatricality, campfire intimacy, and acoustic soul. ROJA has been developed with the Forestburgh Playhouse, The New Group, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, and supported by the Pipeline Arts Foundation. The creators are now seeking producing partners who believe in telling Latine stories with joy, depth, and cultural authenticity. Follow NAMT:Ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio:Ā More about ROJA: https://namt.org/musicals/roja/ Follow Jaime: https://www.instagram.com/jaimelozano/ Follow Tommy: | |||
| S4E5 Festival Preview: ALICE BLISS Featuring NAMT Festival Writers JENNY GIERING, ADAM GWON & KAREN HARTMAN | 30 Sep 2025 | 00:29:16 | |
NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers ā Featuring Karen Hartman, Jenny Giering & Adam Gwon (Alice Bliss) What happens when a teenage girl tries to hold her world together while her father is deployed to war? In this episode of NEW@NAMT, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-hosts Elissa Adams and Liz Ulmer to welcome the writers of Alice Bliss, a heart-stopping and surprisingly funny new musical about family, resilience, and growing up on the edge of a war no one asked for. Set in 2007 in upstate New York, Alice Bliss follows 15-year-old Alice as she juggles school, first love, and deepening family tension after her father is deployed to Iraq. Her quiet rebellion? Trying to be perfectāso maybe, just maybe, she can keep him safe. š š¶ Writers Karen Hartman, Jenny Giering, and Adam Gwon discuss the rich development journey of the piece, from its origins as a cut character in another musical (Crossing Brooklyn) to a one-woman show (Alice Unwrapped), to Laura Harringtonās acclaimed novel, and finally to this hauntingly intimate musical. Together, they explore themes of loss, agency, and the often-unseen toll war takes on women and girls left behind. With a harmonic score and a cast of characters ranging from a Civil War-obsessed little sister to a trio of women who embody a community forever changed by conflict, Alice Bliss is a story for anyone who has ever waited, wondered, or carried the weight of someone elseās battle. š Developed with support from Playwrights Horizons, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, and more, Alice Bliss is now looking for its world premiereāideally in a community with strong ties to military families who may see themselves reflected in this deeply human story. Follow NAMT:Ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio:Ā More about ALICE BLISS: https://namt.org/musicals/alice-bliss/ Follow Adam: https://www.instagram.com/gwonster/ Follow Jenny: https://www.instagram.com/jennylynngiering/ Follow Karen: | |||
| S4E4 Festival Preview: THE KING OF HARLEM Featuring NAMT Festival Writers JOHN-MICHAEL LYLES & DAVID GOMEZ | 23 Sep 2025 | 00:20:58 | |
NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers ā Featuring Jenn Grinels (Wakeman) Follow NAMT:Ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio:Ā More about THE KING OF HARLEM: https://namt.org/musicals/the-king-of-harlem/ Follow David: https://www.instagram.com/gomez_zdavid/ Follow John-Michael: | |||
| S4E3 Festival Preview: WAKEMAN Featuring NAMT Festival Writer JENN GRINELS | 23 Sep 2025 | 00:21:28 | |
NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers ā Featuring Jenn Grinels (Wakeman) In this episode of NEW@NAMT, we sit down with powerhouse singer-songwriter Jenn Grinels, whose new folk-rock musical Wakeman brings to life the astonishing true story of Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, a 19th-century figure who defied convention, enlisted in the Union Army disguised as a man, and left behind a legacy captured in 33 riveting letters. šļø Host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Sonia Desai (Center Theatre Group) as they speak with Jenn about Wakemanās journey from overlooked historical footnote to fully realized stage heroine. Jenn shares how she meticulously dissected and categorized each sentence of Wakemanās surviving lettersāpreserving their original language and layering in a stirring folk-Americana score inspired by Brandi Carlile, big harmonies, and honest storytelling. š” The musical unearths questions about identity, gender, survival, and legacyāand leans into ambiguity where history leaves gaps. Jenn reflects on Wakemanās life, the countless women who disguised themselves to fight in the Civil War, and her own discovery of the project. š¶ Developed through Village Theatre, Circle in the Square Theatre School, the Tower Theatre Foundation, and more, Wakeman is a deeply personal and musically rich journey into an often-unseen corner of American history. Follow NAMT:Ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio:Ā More about WAKEMAN: https://namt.org/musicals/wakeman/ Follow Jenn: | |||
| S4E2 Festival Preview: SOFT MAGICAL TOFU BOY(S) Featuring NAMT Festival Writer KEVIN WONG | 16 Sep 2025 | 00:17:53 | |
NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers ā Featuring Kevin Wong of Soft Magical Tofu Boy(s)
Follow NAMT:Ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio:Ā More about SOFT MAGICAL TOFU BOY(S): https://namt.org/musicals/soft-magical-tofu-boys Follow Kevin: | |||
| S4E1 Festival Preview: FINN Featuring NAMT Festival Writers CHRIS NEE, CHRISTOPHER DIMOND & MICHAEL KOOMAN | 16 Sep 2025 | 00:26:37 | |
NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers ā Featuring the Team Behind FINN Created by Chris Nee, Michael Kooman & Chris Dimond Book and Lyrics by Chris Dimond & Chris Nee Music by Michael Kooman
WritersĀ Chris Nee,Ā Christopher Dimond, andĀ Michael KoomanĀ share the origin story of FINN, which began with a NAMT connection and led to a Kennedy Center commission, national acclaim, and viral success after its planned tour was canceled during the Trump-era political shift. FINN became a symbol of artistic resistance, culminating in a star-studded Town Hall concert and a groundswell of industry support. Ā The trio opens up about writing theatre for young audiences, finding universality through specificity, and crafting a musical they wish theyād seen as kidsāone that centers joy, identity, and inclusivity. Youāll also hear about their Emmy-nominated work across animation, their dynamic musical style (including cinematic orchestration options), and what theyāre hoping comes next. Follow NAMT:Ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio:Ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā More about FINN: https://namt.org/musicals/finn Follow FINN: https://www.instagram.com/finnmusical | |||
| S5E6 Challenge Winners: JUDAH BROWN with Guest Host TERESA LOTZ | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:17:26 | |
š Welcome to NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers! This season, weāre thrilled to bring you NEW@NAMT Season 5, featuring the talented winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation and the Biller Family Foundation. Each episode takes you inside the creative process with these inspiring young songwriters as they share their original songs, stories, and experiences from Winners Weekend in New York City, where their work was fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals. Join host Jean-Paul Yovanoff from Musical Theatre Radio, alongside a rotating cast of Songwriting Challenge Program Mentors, Orchestrators and Artists as guest co-hosts. Together, they guide conversations with these emerging voices, providing insight into the future of musical theatre. š¶ In this episode, we are joined by Judah Brown about his song āFoolā from his musical Feathered. Alongside, co-host Teresa Lotz, Judah discusses collaborating with Teresa to create orchestrations, connecting with other young musical theatre writers, and what it feels like to be "in the room where it happens". Whether you're a producer, a theatre lover, or simply curious about the next generation of musical theatre creators, NEW@NAMT gives you a front-row seat to the future of musical theatre. Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go! š Follow NAMT: ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā More about NAMT: ā https://namt.org/ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit ā https://namt.org/challenge/ā Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: ā https://youtu.be/sgVucNmcEnQ?si=XYWEpexOwqhHwjjZĀ Watch āFoolā from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/JmNyMCg-qIQ?si=s0eCgr5FvyWgnFcIĀ | |||
| S5E5 Challenge Winners: ALI LEWIS with Guest Host FLORENCIA CUENCA | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:15:58 | |
š Welcome to NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers! This season, weāre thrilled to bring you NEW@NAMT Season 5, featuring the talented winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation and the Biller Family Foundation. Each episode takes you inside the creative process with these inspiring young songwriters as they share their original songs, stories, and experiences from Winners Weekend in New York City, where their work was fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals. Join host Jean-Paul Yovanoff from Musical Theatre Radio, alongside a rotating cast of Songwriting Challenge Program Mentors, Orchestrators and Artists as guest co-hosts. Together, they guide conversations with these emerging voices, providing insight into the future of musical theatre. š¶ In this episode, we talk to Ali Lewis about her song āWhy Not?ā from her musical The Lost and Found and collaborating with co-host Florencia Cuenca. Ali shares what it was like to visit New York City for the first time, working with Florencia as the performer for her winning song, andĀ the importance of experimenting in her writing process.Ā Whether you're a producer, a theatre lover, or simply curious about the next generation of musical theatre creators, NEW@NAMT gives you a front-row seat to the future of musical theatre. Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go! š Follow NAMT: ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā More about NAMT: ā https://namt.org/ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit ā https://namt.org/challenge/ā Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: ā https://youtu.be/sgVucNmcEnQ?si=XYWEpexOwqhHwjjZĀ Watch "Why Not?" from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/EOshZd7Sg8I?si=cIm-bNhZRH9I2ECdĀ | |||
| S5E4 Challenge Winners: KARSTEN WALLACE with Guest Host TIMOTHY HUANG | 24 Mar 2026 | 00:14:57 | |
š Welcome to NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers! This season, weāre thrilled to bring you NEW@NAMT Season 5, featuring the talented winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation and the Biller Family Foundation. Each episode takes you inside the creative process with these inspiring young songwriters as they share their original songs, stories, and experiences from Winners Weekend in New York City, where their work was fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals. Join host Jean-Paul Yovanoff from Musical Theatre Radio, alongside a rotating cast of Songwriting Challenge Program Mentors, Orchestrators and Artists as guest co-hosts. Together, they guide conversations with these emerging voices, providing insight into the future of musical theatre. š¶ In this episode, we are joined by Karsten Wallace to hear more about his song āHello Worldā. Alongside co-host Timothy Huang, Karsten shares how his songwriting blends technology and contemporary musical theatre, his favorite moments from Winners Weekend and how he values feedback in his writing process. Whether you're a producer, a theatre lover, or simply curious about the next generation of musical theatre creators, NEW@NAMT gives you a front-row seat to the future of musical theatre. Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go! š Follow NAMT: ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā More about NAMT: ā https://namt.org/ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit ā https://namt.org/challenge/ā Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: ā https://youtu.be/sgVucNmcEnQ?si=XYWEpexOwqhHwjjZĀ Watch āHello Worldā from the Winning Concert:Ā https://youtu.be/gbfaRUeCx0k?si=3yB8yOgjIMfJcxW4Ā | |||
| S5E3 Challenge Winners: LEELA KUMAR with Guest Host ANDREA DALY | 24 Mar 2026 | 00:20:36 | |
š Welcome to NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers! This season, weāre thrilled to bring you NEW@NAMT Season 5, featuring the talented winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation and the Biller Family Foundation. Each episode takes you inside the creative process with these inspiring young songwriters as they share their original songs, stories, and experiences from Winners Weekend in New York City, where their work was fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals. Join host Jean-Paul Yovanoff from Musical Theatre Radio, alongside a rotating cast of Songwriting Challenge Program Mentors, Orchestrators and Artists as guest co-hosts. Together, they guide conversations with these emerging voices, providing insight into the future of musical theatre. š¶ In this episode, we talk to Leela Kumar about her song āDancing Through A Dreamā from her musical of the same name. Alongside co-host Andrea Daly, Leela discusses her writing process, collaborating with other young musical theatre writers, and what it felt like to hear her song live for the first time during Winners Weekend.Ā Whether you're a producer, a theatre lover, or simply curious about the next generation of musical theatre creators, NEW@NAMT gives you a front-row seat to the future of musical theatre. Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go! š Follow NAMT: ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā More about NAMT: ā https://namt.org/ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit ā https://namt.org/challenge/ā Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: ā https://youtu.be/sgVucNmcEnQ?si=XYWEpexOwqhHwjjZĀ Watch āDancing Through A Dreamā from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/zed3S31e2uc?si=MSJ2hF9663debSFRĀ | |||
| S5E2 Challenge Winners: SADIE SHAPIRO with Guest Host FAYE CHIAO | 17 Mar 2026 | 00:16:41 | |
š Welcome to NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers! This season, weāre thrilled to bring you NEW@NAMT Season 5, featuring the talented winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation and the Biller Family Foundation. Each episode takes you inside the creative process with these inspiring young songwriters as they share their original songs, stories, and experiences from Winners Weekend in New York City, where their work was fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals. Join host Jean-Paul Yovanoff from Musical Theatre Radio, alongside a rotating cast of Songwriting Challenge Program Mentors, Orchestrators and Artists as guest co-hosts. Together, they guide conversations with these emerging voices, providing insight into the future of musical theatre. š¶ In this episode, we are joined by Sadie Shapiro to hear more about her song āThe Way Iambā. Alongside co-host Faye Chiao, Sadie dives into the process of writing her winning song, her personal monthly songwriting challenge, and what she learned from bringing her song to life at Winners Weekend.Ā Whether you're a producer, a theatre lover, or simply curious about the next generation of musical theatre creators, NEW@NAMT gives you a front-row seat to the future of musical theatre. Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go! š Follow NAMT: ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā More about NAMT: ā https://namt.org/ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit ā https://namt.org/challenge/ā Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: ā https://youtu.be/sgVucNmcEnQ?si=XYWEpexOwqhHwjjZĀ Watch āThe Way Iambā from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/N4Lo9Sze38Q?si=jlZ9TAklwkE-rxf5Ā | |||
| S5E1 Challenge Winners: GWEN DOERFLER with Guest Host DYLAN GLATTHORN | 17 Mar 2026 | 00:15:56 | |
š Welcome to NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers! This season, weāre thrilled to bring you NEW@NAMT Season 5, featuring the talented winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation and the Biller Family Foundation. Each episode takes you inside the creative process with these inspiring young songwriters as they share their original songs, stories, and experiences from Winners Weekend in New York City, where their work was fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals. Join host Jean-Paul Yovanoff from Musical Theatre Radio, alongside a rotating cast of Songwriting Challenge Program Mentors, Orchestrators and Artists as guest co-hosts. Together, they guide conversations with these emerging voices, providing insight into the future of musical theatre. š¶ In our first episode of this Season, we talk to Gwen Doerfler, a two-time winner of the Songwriting Challenge, about her song āOlderā from her musical 25. Alongside co-host Dylan Glatthorn, Gwen reflects on the inspiration behind her winning song, her experience collaborating with mentors and performers during Winners Weekend and offers advice for current participants of the Musical Theatre Songwriting Challenge for High School Students.Ā Whether you're a producer, a theatre lover, or simply curious about the next generation of musical theatre creators, NEW@NAMT gives you a front-row seat to the future of musical theatre. Itās time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go! š Follow NAMT: ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/ā More about NAMT: ā https://namt.org/ā More about Musical Theatre Radio: ā https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/ā For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit ā https://namt.org/challenge/ā Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: ā https://youtu.be/sgVucNmcEnQ?si=XYWEpexOwqhHwjjZĀ Watch āOlderā from the Winning Concert: ā https://youtu.be/8orf2ly1DZw?si=FbvE8vIqe9UvdrFMĀ | |||
| New@NAMT: Live! | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:52:50 | |
On this special edition episode of New@NAMT: Live! we're bringing you to Songwriters Showcase at the 37th Annual Festival of New Musicals. Host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by new works alumni of the Festival of New Musicals, Frank Young Fund for New Musicals & Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students. š©µ But first: a few inspiring words from NAMT's New Works Director, Frankie Dailey. šļøTimothy Huang (Festival Writer, 2015) shares his thoughts on the importance of mentorship and "Just Another Sunday" from his musical Birthright with Dylan Glatthorn on keys and Sean Berry on guitar. šļøTabitha Moore (Winner, 2024 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students) shares her experience at Winners Weekend and "A Connection" from her musical Cherry, performed by Latoya Edwards with Dylan Glatthorn on keys. šļøAndrew Strano and Yuriko Shibata, the writers of Kusama (Grantee, 2025 Writers Residency Grant of the Frank Young Fund for New Musicals) alongside Tom Morrissey,the Founding Producing Artistic Director of Theatre Now New York speak about developing their musical with the support of the Frank Young Fund for New Musicals. They share a song from Kusama performed by Evan Michael Smith with Dylan Glatthorn on keys. āØ Plus: a special announcement from TImothy Huang! Follow NAMT:Ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio:Ā For more information on the Annual Festival of New Musicals visit: https://namt.org/festivals/ For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students visit: ā https://namt.org/challenge/ For more information on the Frank Young Fund for New Musicals visit: ā ā https://namt.org/fyfnm/ | |||
| S4E8 Festival Preview: LOVE IS DEAD Featuring NAMT Festival Writers BRETT RYBACK & JEFF LUPPINO-ESPOSITO | 07 Oct 2025 | 00:14:44 | |
NEW@NAMT: Love Is Dead ā Featuring Jeff Luppino-Esposito & Brett Ryback Weāre closing out Season 3 of NEW@NAMT with a hilariousāand slightly hauntedānew musical. In this episode, hosts Jean-Paul Yovanoff and Adam Immerwahr talk with writing team Jeff Luppino-Esposito & Brett Ryback about their musical Love Is Dead, a romantic comedy about a heartbroken woman and the sexy ghost who just might haunt her back to life. šļø Jeff and Brett share how they met at the concessions stand of New World Stages (really), how their quirky pop-forward score draws from both Ben Folds and Alan Menken, and why they believe musical comedy can be just as emotionally resonant as dramaāespecially when thereās a Sony Discman puppet involved. āØ Plus: how In Strange Woods and This Used to Be a Disco paved the way for their musical-theatre-meets-rom-com sensibility, what theyāve learned about writing for modern audiences, and whatās next for Love Is Dead after its Festival debut. Three actors. One ghost. Infinite laughs. Follow NAMT:Ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā https://linktr.ee/namtpicsā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā Follow Musical Theatre Radio:Ā More about LOVE IS DEAD: ā https://namt.org/musicals/love-is-dead/ā Follow Brett: https://www.instagram.com/btryback/ Follow Jeff: | |||