New@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre

In Season 3 of NEW@NAMT, we're spotlighting Artistic Leaders at NAMT Member Organizations — the people shaping the future of new musicals behind the scenes.

🎙️ This week, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff and co-host Skye Cone Ivey welcome Michael Fling, Associate Artistic Director at Goodspeed Musicals. Michael oversees Goodspeed’s celebrated new works programs, including the Festival of New Musicals, the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Grove, and the GoodWorks Commissioning Program.

In this episode, Michael shares his journey from directing stages across the country to leading Goodspeed’s extensive new work development, and how the theatre’s rich history with launching new musicals influences its approach today. We dive into what types of artists and stories Goodspeed prioritizes, how Goodspeed supports emerging writers, and what Michael sees as the future for musical theatre development.

🎶 Plus: rapid-fire questions about Michael’s favorite musicals, composers, and first theatre memories!

✨ If you’re passionate about new musicals, artist development, and what it takes to build the next generation of theatre, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

🎭 It’s time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT!

Follow NAMT: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/namtpics⁠⁠⁠

Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/⁠⁠⁠

More about NAMT: ⁠⁠⁠https://namt.org/⁠⁠⁠

More about Musical Theatre Radio: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/⁠⁠

More about Goodspeed Musicals:

https://www.goodspeed.org/

Follow Goodspeed Musicals:

https://www.instagram.com/goodspeedmusicals/

More about Michael Fling:

https://michaelfling.com/

Follow Michael Fling: https://www.instagram.com/michaelfling/

🎭 NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers – Featuring Sydney Gray

In this season of NEW@NAMT, we continue to highlight the winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with NAMT, Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation. These student songwriters had their original songs fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals during Winners Weekend in New York City.

🎶 In this episode, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Zeniba Now to welcome Sydney Gray, who wrote the winning song “Little Miss Heard But Not Seen.” In this powerful and emotional anthem, we meet Nava Lee, a girl who longs to be more than a shadow moving through life. Fighting against the doubts in her head, Nava’s story explores the universal struggle for visibility and acceptance.

Sydney shares how “Little Miss Heard But Not Seen” is part of a full musical she is developing, reflecting on themes of identity and self-expression. Co-host Zeniba Now, who served as Sydney’s program mentor, offers insight into the growth and evolution of Sydney’s song from early drafts to the final orchestrated performance at Winners Weekend.

If you’re passionate about storytelling through music and the future of musical theatre, this episode is a must-listen!

It’s time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT! 🎭

Follow NAMT: ⁠https://linktr.ee/namtpics⁠

Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/⁠

More about NAMT: ⁠https://namt.org/⁠

More about Musical Theatre Radio: ⁠https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/⁠

For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit ⁠https://namt.org/challenge/⁠

Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: ⁠https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU?⁠

Watch “Little Miss Heard But Not Seen” from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/ZfecFDyJLsk?

🎭 NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers – Featuring Owen Yeh-Lee

In this season of NEW@NAMT, we continue to highlight the winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with NAMT, Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation. These student songwriters had their original songs fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals during Winners Weekend in New York City.

🎶 In this episode, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Jaime Lozano to welcome Owen Yeh-Lee, who wrote the winning song “Spacetime.” Inspired by the Chinese folktale of the Moon Goddess Chang’e, Spacetime follows Hou Yi as he mourns his wife’s departure to the moon, grappling with loneliness, grief, and despair.

Owen shares the inspiration behind his mythologically rich and emotionally charged song, along with insights into his songwriting process, his experience working with Broadway performer Telly Leung, and the lessons he learned about collaboration in musical theatre during Winners Weekend.

Co-host Jaime Lozano, who served as Owen’s program mentor, reflects on Owen’s musical storytelling, cultural influences, and artistic growth throughout the challenge.

✨ If you’re passionate about new voices in musical theatre and the future of songwriting, this episode is a must-listen!

🎭 It’s time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT!

Follow NAMT: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/namtpics⁠⁠

Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/⁠⁠

More about NAMT: ⁠⁠https://namt.org/⁠⁠

More about Musical Theatre Radio: ⁠⁠https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/⁠⁠

For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit ⁠⁠https://namt.org/challenge/⁠⁠

Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU?⁠⁠

Watch “Spacetime” from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/ArlR_KtxlSc?

🎭 NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers – Featuring Gwendellyn Doerfler

In this season of NEW@NAMT, we continue to showcase the winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with NAMT, Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation. These student songwriters had their original songs fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals during Winners Weekend in New York City.

🎶 In this episode, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Anessa Marie Scolpini to welcome Gwendellyn Doerfler, who wrote the winning song “The Cost.” The song takes us on an emotional journey to 1970s Nashville, where dreams and doubts collide. Through this heartfelt country ballad, Gwendellyn explores the courage it takes to chase a dream, even when you’re unsure if the choice is right.

Gwendellyn shares how “The Cost” began as a personal school project and evolved into a universal anthem for dreamers everywhere. Co-host Anessa Marie Scolpini, who orchestrated the song, offers insight into the creative process and the emotional impact of hearing the song performed live by Desi Oakley at Winners Weekend.

If you’re passionate about storytelling through music and the future of musical theatre, this episode is a must-listen!

It’s time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT! 🎭

Follow NAMT: https://linktr.ee/namtpics

Follow Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/

More about NAMT: https://namt.org/

More about Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/

For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit https://namt.org/challenge/

Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU?

Watch “The Cost” from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/vksgCRdnLIk?

🎭 NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers – Featuring Luisa Paraguassu

In this special season of NEW@NAMT, we continue to spotlight the winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with NAMT, Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation. These emerging songwriters had their original works fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals during Winners Weekend in New York City.

🎶 In this episode, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Jesse J. Sanchez to welcome Luisa Paraguassu, who wrote the winning song “Talk Pretty.” The song explores the deeply personal experience of feeling disconnected from one’s heritage due to language barriers. Inspired by Luisa’s own multicultural background, “Talk Pretty” tells the story of Mariana, a second-generation Brazilian-American, and her struggle to connect with her grandmother, Iara, who only speaks Portuguese.

Luisa shares how “Talk Pretty” came to life through a spontaneous writing session, the emotional impact of hearing her song fully orchestrated for the first time, and how she reclaimed her dream of pursuing music as a career through the Songwriting Challenge. Co-host Jesse J. Sanchez, who orchestrated the song, adds insight into the creative process and the powerful themes behind Luisa’s work.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about storytelling, identity, and the future of musical theatre.

It’s time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT! 🎭

Follow NAMT: https://linktr.ee/namtpics

Follow Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/

More about NAMT: https://namt.org/

More about Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/

For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit https://namt.org/challenge/

Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU?

Watch “Talk Pretty” from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/Os8V2O4DuOA?

🎭 NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers – Featuring Tabitha Moore

In this special season of NEW@NAMT, we’re shining a spotlight on the winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with NAMT, Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation. These student songwriters had their original songs fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals during Winners Weekend in New York City.

🎶 In this episode, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Tim Huang to welcome Tabitha Moore, whose winning song “What Did Love Do to You?” is a pop-infused duet exploring the boundaries set between two people and the importance of embracing individuality. Tabitha shares the story behind her song, from its humble beginnings on ukulele to a fully orchestrated piece inspired by Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature.”

With insights from orchestrator Teresa Lotz and program mentor Tim Huang, Tabitha reflects on the journey of developing her song, the magic of hearing it come to life during Studio Day, and the connections she made with other winners during Winners Weekend.

If you’re curious about the future of musical theatre, this episode is packed with inspiration, creativity, and a glimpse into the next generation of musical storytellers.

It’s time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT! 🎭

Follow NAMT: https://linktr.ee/namtpics

Follow Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/

More about NAMT: https://namt.org/

More about Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/

For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit https://namt.org/challenge/

Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU?

Watch “What Did Love Do to You?” from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/1VU2a9pztVI?

🎭 NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers – Season 2 Continues!

In this special season of NEW@NAMT, we’re spotlighting the winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation. Each episode features a conversation with a winning student songwriter and their professional mentors, offering a unique glimpse into the next generation of musical theatre creators.

🎶 In this episode, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Dylan Glatthorn to welcome songwriter Ale Fonseca, whose original song “Overthinking” is from her one-act musical Sonder. Ale, a Miami native and Berklee College of Music student, shares the journey of writing “Overthinking”, a song about Kelly, an aspiring musician struggling to balance her career ambitions with her personal relationships.

With insightful contributions from orchestrator Teresa Lotz and program mentor Zeniba Now, Ale reflects on the process of collaborating with professional musicians, what it was like to hear her song fully orchestrated for the first time, and her experience at Winners Weekend in New York City.

Whether you’re a producer, theatre fan, or curious about the future of musical theatre, this episode is packed with creativity, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of “Overthinking”.

It’s time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go on NEW@NAMT! 🎭

Follow NAMT: https://linktr.ee/namtpics

Follow Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/

More about NAMT: https://namt.org/

More about Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/

For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit https://namt.org/challenge/

Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU?

Watch “Overthinking” from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/Hi1VjSaZpec?

🎭 Welcome to NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers!

This season, we’re thrilled to bring you NEW@NAMT Season 2, featuring the talented winners of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students presented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, and the NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation.

Each episode takes you inside the creative process with these inspiring young songwriters as they share their original songs, stories, and experiences from Winners Weekend in New York City, where their work was fully orchestrated and performed live by Broadway professionals.

Join host Jean-Paul Yovanoff from Musical Theatre Radio, alongside a rotating cast of Songwriting Challenge Program Mentors and Orchestrators as guest co-hosts. Together, they guide conversations with these emerging voices, providing insight into the future of musical theatre.

🎶 In our first episode of Season 2, we talk to Isabella Nguyen & Maya Johnson, winners of the Songwriting Challenge for their original song “Live Before Life’s Gone” from their musical Less Than Perfect. Along with co-hosts Joey Contreras (Program Mentor) and Teresa Lotz (Orchestrator), we dive into their songwriting journey, the development of their musical, and the exciting highlights of Winners Weekend.

Whether you're a producer, a theatre lover, or simply curious about the next generation of musical theatre creators, NEW@NAMT gives you a front-row seat to the future of musical theatre.

It’s time to lower the lights, raise the curtain, and LX1 Go! 🎭

Follow NAMT: https://linktr.ee/namtpics

Follow Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/

More about NAMT: https://namt.org/

More about Musical Theatre Radio: https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/

For more information on the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, visit https://namt.org/challenge/

Watch Challenge Accepted! Featuring the Winning Songs: https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU?

Watch “Live Before Life’s Gone” from the Winning Concert: https://youtu.be/7ia5ebFAdrU?

Time for another episode of NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers, where we spotlight the creative minds behind the next big musicals. This week, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-hosts Jord Liu and Deepak Kumar from Baked! The Musical as they interview the team behind The Brass Teapot: Tim Macy, Ramaa Mosley, Chaz Cardigan, and Erik Kaiko.

Based on the 2012 indie cult film, The Brass Teapot is a magical, mischievous dark musical comedy with a driving alt-pop-rock score. The story follows a couple who discover a mysterious brass teapot that generates money when they feel pain. As their greed grows, the musical asks the big question: How far would you go to hurt the ones you love if it meant you’d want for nothing?

In this episode, the creators share the development journey of adapting the film into a musical, how the alt-pop-rock score enhances the darkly comedic themes, and the opportunities for theatrical magic that the show offers. With its unique blend of humor, magic, and moral questions, The Brass Teapot is sure to captivate audiences at the NAMT Festival and beyond.

Be sure to check out this episode and follow the journey of The Brass Teapot as it makes its way to the NAMT Festival.

Follow NAMT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/namtpics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

More about NAMT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://namt.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

More about Musical Theatre Radio: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more information about The Brass Teapot, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://namt.org/musicals/the-brass-teapot/

For more information on the 36th Annual Festival of New Musicals, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://namt.org/festivals/2024/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Ramaa Mosley on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ramaamosley/

Follow Chaz Cardigan on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/chazcardigan/

Follow Erik Kaiko on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/okiak/

Follow Jord Liu on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jord_takes_pictures_of_a_cat/

Follow Deepak Kumar on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/_kumarde/

Welcome to another episode of NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers, where we spotlight emerging talents in the world of musical theatre. This week, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff is joined by co-host Nikki Lynette as they interview Be Steadwell, the creator of the musical Dear Ex.

Dear Ex tells the story of a queer Black woman navigating the heartbreak of a major breakup. Through a series of letters to her ex, Be stumbles through the stages of grief, exploring themes of self-love, addiction, and healing. Set to a vibrant pop and soul score, Dear Ex features an all BIPOC, queer, and trans cast and brings a deeply personal, universal tale of love and loss to life.

In this episode, Be shares the inspiration behind this Black, queer, falling-out-of-love story, the musical influences that shaped the score, and why centering marginalized voices in love stories is crucial. Be also discusses a unique dream for the show: creating a community choir with the audience at every performance.

Join us for a conversation filled with heart, healing and hope. Don't miss Dear Ex as it makes its way to the NAMT Festival.

Follow NAMT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/namtpics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Musical Theatre Radio: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/musicaltheatreradio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

More about NAMT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://namt.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

More about Musical Theatre Radio: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.musicaltheatreradio.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For more information about Dear Ex, visit ⁠https://namt.org/musicals/dear-ex/

For more information on the 36th Annual Festival of New Musicals, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://namt.org/festivals/2024/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Be Steadwell on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/besteadwell/

Follow Nikki Lynette on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nikkilynette/