The Festival
The Newport NewWorks Musical Theater Festival is more than just a gathering of talented artists—it’s a creative community dedicated to the development of new musicals.
Each summer, we bring together a diverse group of artists for a two-week residency focused on collaboration, innovation, and artistic growth in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island. The festival provides an inclusive space where both emerging and established theatermakers can refine their work with the support of industry professionals.
What To Expect
Each summer, the Newport NewWorks Musical Theater Festival selects up to three unproduced musicals from a competitive pool of submissions nationwide. These chosen works enter a two-week, artist-driven residency in the inspiring coastal setting of Newport, Rhode Island. During this time, creative teams collaborate with industry-leading directors, dramaturgs, musicians, and actors in an intensive and dynamic rehearsal process.
The residency culminates in two public, script-in-hand staged readings, offering a unique opportunity to obtain audience feedback as an integral part of the development process. To maintain the festival’s focus on development, all submissions must remain unproduced professionally through the time of their participation in the festival.
During the festival, artists enjoy the inspiring oceanside setting of Newport, Rhode Island. Housing and a weekly stipend are provided for the entire duration, allowing you the freedom to focus fully on your work. Artists are welcome to attend rehearsals and presentations of their peers, building a supportive community of fellow creators—writers, composers, and theatermakers—whose relationships will last long after the festival concludes.