Incubator Reading Series Announces Call For New Musical Submissions

Musical Theatre Artists of Pittsburgh announces its Open Call for Submissions of new, unproduced musicals due by midnight, July 15 to be considered for two separate Incubator public readings to be held between October 2018 and January 2019. The Incubator readings are aimed at helping creative teams move their work forward by putting it in front of an audience. MTAP is eager to connect with local artists working in any style, so long as story, character, lyrics and original music are central to the work. There is no fee to submit work and artists new to MTAP are encouraged to apply. Interested writers and writer/composer teams are invited to contact MTAPgh@gmail.com for an application form and more details or visit www.mtap.weebly.com.

MTAP's Incubator readings allow a public audience to become involved in the early stages of a new musical's long and often arduous journey toward full production. Creative teams benefit by working with a director and music director, along with the artistic and production team. The collaboration often helps to illuminate or clarify the storytelling or song intention as the team prepares the work for presentation. Two Incubator readings will take place between October 2018 and January 2019, and the public submission period begins June 15, 2018 and ends at midnight on July 15. All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of local artists working in some aspect of musical theatre.

The Incubator was launched in July, 2015 with an encore presentation from Dear Boy by members Jeanne Drennan (book and lyrics) and David Berlin (music), followed in November with a reading of Kitty, with book by John Keating and music and lyrics by Sandra Lowell. Since then, there have been four Incubator readings selected by a review panel and two member produced readings. In getting work in front of an audience, these readings build on the success of the biennial showcase, Hot Metal Musicals, which was presented with the cooperation of Pittsburgh CLO in 2015 and 2017 to standing room crowds at the Cabaret Theater in Theater Square.

MTAP welcomes new members, including performing talent, bookwriters, librettists, lyricists, composers, musicians, managers and producers. Please visit MTAP.weebly.com or email MTAPgh@gmail.com for more information about how to get involved.

MTAP's focus is new musicals, and it seeks to foster collaboration between musical theatre artists in the region and create opportunities for the development, presentation, and production of new musical theatre. MTAP is an inclusive organization, and prospective members, whether writers, composers, musicians, performers, managers or producers, are always welcome at meetings, which are held monthly at the Wightman School Community Building in Squirrel Hill. Visit http://mtap.weebly.com/ for more information, including dates of meetings and bios of some of MTAP's active members. MTAP-Musical Theatre Artists of Pittsburgh is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit service organization.

MTAP gratefully acknowledges the support of the Heinz Endowment's Small Arts Initiative, whose support makes these readings possible. The Heinz Endowments is devoted to the mission of helping our region prosper as a vibrant center of creativity, learning, and social, economic and environmental sustainability. Core to its work is the vision of a just community where all are included and where everyone who calls southwestern Pennsylvania home has a real and meaningful opportunity to thrive.

Email mtapgh@gmail.com for details.
Submit by: Sunday, July 15, 2018 by midnight
Cost: Free
Details: Full musicals or a single, complete act may be submitted. Ideal submissions have a script, score/sheet music for the songs and a demo of 4-6 songs with vocals. For more details or to discuss your materials or eligibility email mtapgh@gmail.com.