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Musical Theatre West’s New Works Reading Festival

Musical Theatre West’s New Works Reading Festival, started in 2021, seeks to further the art form of musical theatre by providing a space for new works in the form of an annual festival.

Congratulations to our two selected pieces for Fall 2024: Sueños and The Pelican! These two new musicals had invite-only readings as a part of our festival on November 14 & 15, 2024 in Long Beach. If you’re interested in getting involved with the program or in submitting for the 2025 New Works Reading Festival, fill out the form here.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CREATIVES

Please read the following to make sure our reading festival can provide what you are looking for in the developmental journey of your piece:

  • All rehearsals will take place at the MTW rehearsal hall at 4350 E. 7th St, Long Beach, CA 90804
  • Performances will take place at a local Long Beach venue
  • Readings will be produced and cast with local talent
  • Readings have minimal production elements (sound for amplification and lights for visibility)
  • Selected writers may choose to be paired with a Director, Music Director, and Stage Manager, or may utilize their own creative team
  • Transportation and lodging are not available
  • Gas stipends will be provided for all cast members, writers, and creative teams

While non-local writers are welcome to submit, MTW’s New Works Reading Festival is not a workshop or incubator, and at this time we aren’t able to provide anything more than 29 hours of rehearsal and reading time in Long Beach with a modest cast of local actors and piano accompaniment. We hope to continue to grow this program in order to further the future of musical theatre!

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

MTW strives to represent the diverse community of Long Beach that we service in all areas of our company, and encourages writers who represent various race, ethnicity, socioeconomic backgrounds, gender identity, age, physical ability, LGBTQIA+, and diverse viewpoints, to submit.

PAST FESTIVAL SELECTIONS

2024
2023
  • Broken Ground
    • Book & Lyrics by Christine Toy Johnson
    • Music & Lyrics by Jason Ma
  • The Dark Lady
    • Music by Veronica Mansour
    • Book & Lyrics by Sophie Boyce
  • Māyā
    • Music & Book by Cheeyang Ng
    • Book & Lyrics by Eric Sorrels
2022
  • Hay Fever: A New Musical
    • Book & Lyrics by David Howard
    • Music by Bret Simmons
  • Missing Peace
    • Book, Music & Lyrics by Kalani Queypo & Kyle Puccia
  • América Tropical
    • Book by Gina Gallego
    • Book & Lyrics Joel S. Bailey
    • Music by Jan Roper
2021