Newport, Rhode Island, has long been celebrated as a hub of musical excellence. The city is home to some of the most iconic festivals in American music history, including the Newport Jazz Festival, which began in 1954 and helped shape the modern jazz movement by hosting legends like Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and John Coltrane. The Newport Folk Festival, founded in 1959, also made history, most notably with Bob Dylan's groundbreaking performance in 1965 when he famously went electric. Additionally, the Newport Classical Music Festival (formerly the Newport Music Festival) has been a summer tradition since 1969, showcasing world-class classical performances in the city’s historic mansions.

Despite this rich musical legacy, one key genre has been notably absent: musical theater. The establishment of the Newport NewWorks Festival aims to fill that gap by providing a platform for new, innovative works to be developed and performed. This festival brings a fresh dimension to Newport’s artistic landscape, adding a critical piece to the musical mosaic, and making Newport an even more comprehensive destination for diverse musical experiences.