ASCAP/Grow A Show Workshop Returning to Lied Center

Following the marked success of its first American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) 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, 2015. The workshop seeks new musical theatre works with the potential to be developed and produced into full-scale productions. The Lied Center is currently accepting submissions from musical theatre playwrights and composers from across the country. Submissions must be received by Friday, May 1, 2015 to be considered.

The Lied Center and ASCAP have signed renowned Broadway industry experts to serve as workshop panelists, lending their expertise to the selected emerging writers. Panelists include the co-creator of Ice Age and regular panelist for the Dreamworks/ASCAP New Musicals Workshop, Kevin Bannerman, and Steven Lutvak, who made his Broadway debut in 2013 as composer and co-lyricist of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, which won the Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Tony Award for Best Musical. One of Broadway's brightest rising stars, Lutvak was recently featured in Time Magazine'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 Center. "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 theatre. 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 ASCAP/Grow A Show New Musical Theatre Workshop, the Lied Center will also host an evening of Broadway music on the Lied stage featuring workshop panelists performing alongside University of Nebraska-Lincoln performing arts students on Sept. 10. The student concert will be produced and directed by Alisa Belflower, Associate Producer in Musical Theatre Development with the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

Each year, playwrights and composers submit new musical theatre works for development at workshops hosted by ASCAP. Other workshop locations include New York and Los Angeles. The Lied Center is only the second Midwest location to be selected to host the ASCAP New Musical Theatre Workshop, along with Chicago.

According to Michael Kerker, Vice President of ASCAP's Musical Theatre Division, "The Lied Center provides a safe and friendly place to develop new work. 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."

Instructions for Submission:

Please submit the following materials electronically. **Submissions will not be returned.**

· Six (6) songs from your musical

· Lyric sheets for each of the 6 songs

· A brief description of each song, function of the song, and its plot placement

· A brief synopsis of the musical (1 page or less)

· Brief biographical information for each composer, lyricist and book writer

· Contact information (Email address, phone number, and mailing address)

Please note:

1. Submit 6 songs only. If you send us a full recording, we will only listen to the first 6 songs.

2. Submissions do not need to be produced in a studio. We are looking for talent and potential, not production values.

3. If selected, up to 50 consecutive minutes of your musical will be performed in the workshop for constructive feedback from Broadway-experienced professionals. The 50-minute selection must include book and songs.

4. If your musical is selected, you will be notified via phone by July 13, 2015.

5. Please do not call to ask if you have been selected.

Please send submissions to:

Becky Boesen

Creative Services Specialist

Lied Center for Performing Arts

rboesen2@unl.edu | 402.472.3215

About the Lied Center for Performing Arts - The Lied Center for Performing Arts is a state-of-the-art performing arts facility. The Lied Center, opened in 1990, is Nebraska's "Home for the Arts." The facility offers major regional, national and international events designed to attract, entertain and inspire a statewide audience. The Lied Center and its programs are made possible through the generous 2014/2015 season support of Christina Hixson and the Lied Foundation Trust, Friends of Lied, Ameritas and Union Bank & Trust Company. The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported Lied Center programs through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature; the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. For more information visit www.LiedCenter.org.

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