NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) exists to revitalize one of America’s greatest art forms by introducing a diverse audience to the vibrancy of contemporary musical theater, and by discovering, supporting and promoting new musical theater artists, producers and projects.

NYMF’s largest program, the annual new works festival that bears its name, takes place over three weeks in the fall. It combines an economy of scale with a supportive professional environment in order to empower new musical theater artists.  Each season, approximately 30 productions play in repertory alongside a number of readings, concerts, educational seminars and other special events. The festival is curated to maximize stylistic, thematic and cultural diversity.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival is the largest annual musical theatre event in America. Since its inception in 2004, the New York Musical Theatre Festival has proven a remarkably effective launching pad, with over 40 shows transferring to successful productions on Broadway, off-Broadway, regionally, on tour, and around the world.

NYMF’s ability to consistently attract the participation of well-known actors, directors and other established members of the theater industry has also created an environment rich with mentorship opportunities, and made the festival a launching point for talented new performers, directors, choreographers, designers, producers and writers.

Beyond the festival, NYMF's other programs assist writers at all stages of development and experience.

Each year, more than 400 musicals are submitted by writers to The Next Link Project, which provides a dozen writing teams with the training, tools, and professional resources. Each of the 12 Next Link shows, selected through a double-blind evaluation process by a jury of leading artists, receives one-on-one creative support from professional dramaturgs; introductions to industry contacts and to potential collaborators and producers, and educational seminars focused on the entrepreneurial skills writers need in order to advance their careers and their projects. They are also awarded production slots in NYMF’s fall festival, along with additional production subsidies to help underwrite the cost of mounting their shows.

NYMF serves as an advocate for alumni artists and a liaison to a growing network of regional theaters, producers and service organizations around the world.  NYMF occasionally commissions works by alumni artists -- some of which are developed and presented at the festival under the “Born at NYMF” banner.