National Alliance for Musical Theatre Receives $60,000 Grant

The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded a $60,000 Art Works grant to the National Alliance for Musical Theatre to support NAMT's Fall Conference and 24th Annual Festival of New Musicals taking place in the fall of 2012. This significant contribution supports core components of NAMT's mission including nurturing the development and production of new musicals as well as providing educational and informational resources to our 150 members.

Executive Director Betsy King Militello stated, "The NEA's support is so crucial to the work we do in the field of musical theatre for both the industry and the artists. We are honored by and grateful for this Art Works grant."

In October, NAMT hosted their 2011 fall events. The 23rd Annual Festival of New Musicals brought eight new shows to an audience of over 600 industry attendees at New World Stages. This two-day festival continues to be an important and successful event for showcasing new musicals: over 75% of Festival alumni writers have developed their musicals further, secured representation and/or received commissions as a direct result of our Festival. Past Festivals have launched such notable musicals as The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, The Drowsy Chaperone, Iron Curtain, It Shoulda Been You, Kingdom, Meet John Doe, Ordinary Days, Thoroughly Modern Millie, See Rock City & Other Destinations, The Story of My Life, Striking 12 and Vanities.

The Fall Conference, a gathering of NAMT's membership of leading musical theatre producers, kicked off with a keynote address from the legendary director and producer Harold Prince. With his words as an anchor for the following two days, attendees discussed the health of the field and the development of new works with industry experts.