5th Avenue Theatre's New Works Program Seeks Writers and Composers; Deadline 6/1

The 5th Avenue Theatre New Works Program is seeking Seattle-based musical theater writers and composers for the 2015-2017 cycle of its Seattle Writers Group. The Seattle Writers Group is a selective experience for professional musical theatre writers looking to practice & deepen their craft with the guidance, support, and infrastructure that The 5th Avenue Theatre offers.

"At The 5th, we are committed to the support and development of our rich community of writers," said Director of New Works Ian Eisendrath. "The Writers Group will have not only the benefit of peer-to-peer development, but the guidance and counsel of The 5th Avenue Theatre's creative expertise."

The new cycle will begin September 15, 2015 and includes bi-weekly meetings in a supportive and collegial atmosphere exploring the craft and challenges of musical theater writing, guided by New Works Director Ian Eisendrath and Artistic & Music Associate Albert Evans. Members of the group will have extensive access to 5th Avenue creative and administrative resources and support and will showcase their work to an invited audience at the end of the first year. The program culminates at the two-year mark with 29-hour readings of completed musicals by the Seattle Writers Group teams. Members receive a $250 annual stipend to allay travel costs.

For writers interested in applying to the 2015-2017 5th Avenue Seattle Writers Group, please prepare & submit the following materials by June 1, 2015:

· A statement of interest in the group, outlining your goals and intent

· A theatrical resume

· A 7 to 10-page writing sample from book writers, or 2 demo tracks with accompanying sheet music or lyric pages from composers/lyricists

Please submit all material and direct any questions to New Works Associate Makaela Pollock at mpollock@5thavenue.org.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is one of the nation's leading producers and creators of new work, having premiered 17 original Broadway-caliber musicals since 2001. But The 5th's commitment to new musicals runs deeper than the fully realized productions audiences see onstage. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Bill Berry and The Alhadeff Family Director of New Works and Music Supervisor Ian Eisendrath, The 5th Avenue Theatre's New Works Program fosters the creation of new musicals in each phase of development, from the smallest kernel of an idea to a main stage production, through writer's retreats, table readings, and workshops. The New Works Program creates specially-crafted development programs for each show that comes under its care, and is committed to creating a positive and safe environment that supports the unique needs of each project.

The New Works mission is to advance the art form of musical theater through the creation and production of the next generation of musicals; to support and respond to the specific needs of individual projects throughout each phase of development; and to create integrated, dynamic partnerships between The 5th Avenue Theatre and writers of new musicals in Seattle, across the country, and around the world.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is acclaimed as one of the nation's leading musical theater companies and is especially renowned for its production and development of new works. Since 2002, the Seattle-based company has produced 17 new musicals. To date, nine (including the sensational hit Disney's Aladdin) have moved on to Broadway premieres, earning a combined 15 Tony Awards, including two for Best Musical (Hairspray and Memphis). The 5th Avenue Theatre is also known for its world class, critically acclaimed productions of musicals chosen from both the contemporary canon and the Golden Age of Broadway.

Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, this exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. Today, under the leadership of Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong, Managing Director Bernadine C. Griffin and Producing Artistic Director Bill Berry, this non-profit theater company attracts an annual attendance of more than 300,000, including over 25,000 subscribers -- one of the largest theater subscriptions in North America.

In addition to its main stage productions, The 5th Avenue Theatre is also committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its extensive educational outreach programs. For more information about The 5th Avenue Theatre, its season and its programs, visit www.5thavenue.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.