Program areas at NAMT
NEW WORKS PROGRAMS Festival of New Musicals: Our most highly attended event, the annual Festival showcases presentations of eight new musicals before an industry-only audience with the experience and resources to move the work forward. A total of 846 people attended. NAMT assumes the costs of producing and marketing the Festival, handles all administration and logistics, and takes no royalty stake in future productions. Since 1989, the Festival has introduced musical theatre producers to over 300 musicals and over 500 writers from around the world. More than 85% of these works have gone on to subsequent readings, workshops, productions, tours, licensing, or cast album recordings as a direct result of the Festival. The Festival also featured the return of the Directing Observership Program, giving Observers a chance to be a part of rehearsals, creative meetings, and writer Q&As at the Fall Conference. In addition to the eight featured shows, the Festival included the Songwriters Showcase, where four writing teams presented their shows-in-progress through song selections and a brief Q&A. Additionally, the Midday Cabarets provided an informal opportunity during lunch for four other writing teams to showcase their musical theatre work. Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students: The 2023-24 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, a partnership between NAMT and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), successfully provided high school students with the opportunity to develop and showcase their original musical compositions. Throughout the program, students participated in online workshops, received constructive critiques from experienced musical theater professionals, and engaged in group coaching sessions to refine their songs. The Challenge culminated in the selection of winning writers and writing teams in Spring 2024, who were invited to New York City for mentorship and a concert performance of their songs in June. This initiative helped foster the next generation of musical theater songwriters and highlighted NAMT's commitment to nurturing young talent. Frank Young Fund for New Musicals (FYFNM): Over the past year, the Frank Young Fund awarded 20 grants totaling $80,000 to NAMT member not-for-profit theatres. Since its inception in 2008, the Fund has awarded 221 grants totaling $885,500 to support new work at every stage of development, from writer residencies to full productions, with selections made by a panel of experienced musical theatre professionals. Impact & Exploration Fund (I&EF): NAMT's Impact & Exploration Fund (formerly the Innovation & Exploration Fund) is designed to help NAMT member theatres pilot new capacity-building programs to advance their missions. Areas of exploration may include (but are not limited to) technology, accessibility, audience development, education, and artistic innovation. Grant recipients must report the results of their funded programs to the rest of the membership, helping others who may be considering similar innovations. This past year, nine I&EF grants were awarded, totaling $20,000 to member not-for-profit theatres. In 2024, NAMT will celebrate reaching $1 million in awards to member organizations through granting programs, including the Frank Young Fund for New Musicals (formerly the National Fund for New Musicals), the Impact & Exploration Fund, and the Producer-Writer Initiative (2004-2008).
MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS Conferences: Both educational and inspiring, our national conferences are opportunities for member organizations to interact, collaborate, and share ideas on the latest trends in musical theatre. The 2023 Fall Conference was held in New York, NY on October 24 & 25, 2023, and was entitled "New Musicals on the Horizon." The agenda featured a keynote address by Michael Kaiser, along with panels on the state of the industry, recovery benchmarks, new business models, and future programming. Additional sessions covered topics such as board support, accessibility, and artist support, with more concurrent discussions announced during the event. The conference also included networking opportunities, such as a cocktail party and the NAMT Annual Membership Meeting. The 2023 Spring Conference, entitled "Marketing & Development Should Be Friends!" was held in Oklahoma City, OK on April 3-5, 2024. The conference featured a mix of panels, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities focused on marketing, fundraising, and collaboration in the arts. Highlights included a keynote with Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, discussions on audience loyalty, advocacy, and social media marketing, as well as case studies on local collaborations and early-career professionals. Attendees participated in sessions tailored to their career stages, dined at local restaurants, and toured the First Americans Museum. Webinars: NAMT continues to offer the Knowledge Exchange webinar series, which builds on discussions from our conferences and provides a forum for staff at all levels of our member organizations to share resources and exchange information. NAMT's FY24 webinars covered a range of topics, from funding opportunities and submission processes to new resources for musical theatre creators and educators. Highlights included sessions on the Impact & Exploration Fund, converting patrons into donors, and introducing the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for high school students. All NAMT webinars are archived on our website for continued member access. NAMT News & Notes: NAMT News & Notes provides topical industry information to all members and Festival alumni writers. It is sent monthly via email. The Table Read: Launched in April 2023, NAMT's New Works Department newsletter, The Table Read, features articles on and interviews with NAMT Festival/Grantee writers and NAMT members, as well as new interactive media inclusions like New Works Department Spotify playlists and more video and audio content. The Table Read has a readership of ~7,500, with an average open rate of 54% and an average click rate of 10%. Website: NAMT's website, www.namt.org, remains our primary communication tool with members, donors, writers, prospects, and the industry at large. It includes Festival information, updates on other NAMT programs, member information, and more. Some sections require a login and are limited to members or Festival alumni writers, including a detailed member directory, member production histories, a complete directory of Festival and Frank Young Fund for New Musicals shows and their writers, and discount offers and corporate partnerships. The website also includes our Set & Costume Registry, through which members can earn revenue by renting sets, costumes, props, and orchestrations. Since 2019, we have expanded our web-based resources to include the New Musicals Map, an interactive tool that allows members and the public to keep abreast of new musical development happening worldwide; the Impact & Exploration Guide, a compilation of case studies, videos, and grant reports outlining valuable lessons and best practices from NAMT members and other experts; and EDI and Anti-Racism Resources shared among our members and other partners. The site also houses recordings of webinars and online town halls and serves as a central hub for information, upcoming events, member benefits, and all things NAMT. In FY24, NAMT implemented a redesign of our homepage and main navigation menus to drive engagement and improve clarity. Research Services: NAMT conducts industry surveys on subjects such as salaries, benefits, and royalties, sharing the findings with our members.