Festival Line Producer Residency
For Emerging Leaders in Musical Theatre

Program Overview:

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) Festival Line Producer Residency offers an exceptional opportunity for early to mid-career professionals to engage in the production aspects of new musical development. This part-time position reports to the NAMT New Works Director, Festival Producers and General Manager for the 36th Annual Festival of New Musicals, scheduled for October 24-25, 2024. The contract will commence on or about August 20 and end on November 3, 2024, or upon completion of the assigned duties. As a temporary position with no benefits, the Line Producer Residency aims to foster the professional growth of individuals from underrepresented groups in the theatre field.

Program Goals:

This program is designed to cultivate professional development within the production aspects of musical theatre. The primary goals are as follows:

· Front Row Experience: Line Producers will gain invaluable first-hand exposure to the production process of new musicals, working closely with Festival Producers, the General Manager and creative teams.

· Skill Development: Participants will immerse themselves in the techniques and best practices employed by experienced producers, learning to manage the logistical and administrative needs of theatrical productions. By participating in all aspects of the Festival, including pre-production, rehearsals and performances, Line Producers will enhance their ability to balance multiple schedules, work under pressure and communicate effectively in high-stakes environments.

· Networking Opportunities: Line Producers will attend (as time allows) select NAMT Fall Conference panels, enabling them to network with industry leaders and peers from around the globe. NAMT will also facilitate show-seeing experiences and direct contact networking opportunities with Broadway Producers. The Festival is one of the largest networking and professional development events in the nation for the musical theatre field. This residency provides an opportunity to engage with high-profile artists and industry leaders, expanding professional networks and career opportunities.

· Support and Mentorship: Line Producers will receive guidance and mentorship from seasoned professionals, fostering a supportive environment for growth and learning. Line Producers will also be given complimentary NAMT Membership for one year, allowing access to a host of member opportunities for networking and creative development.

Process:

Each Line Producer will oversee the pre-production, rehearsal and performances for staged readings of four new musicals that will all share the same stage at New World Stages.

Pre-production Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: 

• Work      closely with the Festival Producers & General Manager to ensure a      great pre-production, rehearsal and presentation process. Act as liaison      between creative teams on four assigned musicals and the Festival Producers      & General Manager on any/all administrative and producing needs,      including (but not limited to) cast onboarding, information collection,      tracking paperwork, prompting artists and teams to complete tasks and      ordinary rehearsal coordination requests.

· Attend all key dates, including, but not limited to: All Rehearsals (TBD, October 13-23), Site Visits, Festival Staff Meetings, Official Festival Production Meetings (via Zoom), Festival Load-in (est. October 20), sound check date (October 21), performance dates (October 24 & 25), Load-out (Monday, October 28). 

• Keep      up-to-date contact sheets and a Festival-wide contact sheet.

Festival Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Assist      Festival Producers & General Manager with load-in and load-out of Festival      equipment.
• Serve      as the venue coordinator for four productions/events in assigned venue.      Act as the on-site contact for creative teams at Festival to confirm that      entire teams are present, as well as ready to perform, in consultation      with the Festival Producers & General Manager. 
• Manage      stage changeovers between presentations, and usher talent off/onstage while      tracking and completing the setting up/breaking down of equipment.
• Attend      a Post-Festival post-mortem meeting.

Required Skills: 

• Knowledge of standard      AEA staged reading guidelines and policies.
• Experience      balancing multiple schedules for concurrent events. 
• Flexible      schedule October 10-30th.
• Working well      under pressure. Strong communication skills. Maturity and professionalism      to represent NAMT to well-known or high-profile artists.
• Willingness to      get your hands dirty and pitch in when needed. Ability to lift equipment      up to 50 lbs and walk up to 100 ft unassisted, as needed.
• Savvy with      online communication forums via Google Docs, Zoom, Slack, as well as other      methods that may be necessary (WhatsApp, texting, etc) and readily      available with planning to communicate as necessary using any of the      above. 

Key Dates: 

• Applications      Due: July 26th
• Interviews:      End of July
• Beg      Aug 20th: 5 to 10 hours per week. 
• Post Labor      Day: 10 to 15 hours per week.
• October 13-23:      Rehearsal Coverage (anticipate up to 35 hrs/week)
• October 21      & 24-25: Full Days
• October 28-November      3: Load out and wrap up as needed,      exact times TBD upon mutually agreed upon scheduling

Compensation:

Fee: 

Line Producers will be paid a $2,000 flat fee and will not receive social security and unemployment insurance benefits. No health benefits or paid time-off are included. Payment will be issued $500.00 upon signing the contract, $500.00 on September 1, $500.00 on October 1 and $500.00 upon completion of the Festival and post-mortem meeting. 

Membership: 

Line Producers will receive a complimentary one-year Individual Associate Membership to the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (value: $475). Associate Membership is a limited personal membership designed for individual theatre professionals who do not meet criteria for organizational membership (i.e. agents, casting directors, investors, musical theatre writers whose work has been produced by professional producing organizations or published by professional publishers/licensing houses, press and other theatre professionals) at the discretion of the membership committee and Board of Directors. Line Producers may utilize their Individual Associate Membership to the fullest extent. 

Show & Tell Producer Meetings: 

Line Producers will join NAMT Staff to attend a performance of an open Broadway or Off-Broadway musical and enjoy dinner with the Producer of the attended show after the performance moderated by NAMT Staff. NAMT will coordinate all elements of Show & Tell Producer Meetings as Line Producer & Broadway Producer schedules allow and seating inventory dictates. Line Producers will be invited to two (2) Show & Tell Events. These events are at no cost to the Line Producer, including tickets and the meal. 

FAQ: 

Who is eligible to apply for this program?
The program is open to theatre-makers with a focus in producing. We encourage candidates to apply who identify as professionals of color, professionals with disabilities, women professionals, and LGBTQIA+ professionals. Non-US citizens are welcome to apply.

Do I need to live in New York City?
While most of the pre-production work takes place online, Line Producers must be able to be on the ground in New York City from October 10th until October 28th. NAMT does not provide travel or housing assistance for Festival participants. 

How will the final Line Producers be selected?
Once the applications have closed, NAMT staff will review applications and schedule short interviews with semi-finalists. Interviews will be held at the end of July and will be conducted by NAMT’s Festival Producers & General Manager. 

Who has participated in the NAMT Festival in the past?
NAMT has a huge alumni circuit of Festival artists. Directors such as Stephen Brackett, Stafford Arima, Christopher Ashley, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Sarna Lapine, Lonny Price, Rebecca Taichman, Schele Williams, Victoria Bussert, Jerry Dixon, Kent Gash, Kent Nicholson, Peter Rothstein, May Adrales, Sherri Barber, Sam Buntrock, Marlo Hunter. Music Directors such as Andrea Grody, Patrick Sulken, Kurt Crowley, Anessa Marie, Lily Ling, as well as writers such as Heather Christian, Shannon Burkett, David Hein, Irene Sankoff, Anna K. Jacobs, Michael R. Jackson, Ross Baum, Angelica Chéri, Bekah Brunstetter, Melis Aker, Tatiana Pandiani and Jacinta Clusellas. 

Do I have to be a member of NAMT to apply for this program?
No! This program is open to all early to mid-career professionals with an interest in producing. 

Festival Creative Assistantship
For Emerging Leaders in Musical Theatre

Program Overview:
The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) Festival Creative Assistantship offers a distinctive opportunity for early-career professionals to participate as departmental assistants in the development of new musicals. This is a reimagining of the NAMT Festival Observership for Early-Career Directors. Now in its seventh year, this program, which is dedicated to supporting the next generation of leaders in musical theatre, provides eight early-career theatre-makers from underrepresented groups the opportunity to be a part of the NAMT Festival process from start to finish. 

Each Festival musical will be matched with a Creative Assistant that focuses in one of three categories: Directing, Script or Music. The Creative Assistantship is facilitated by NAMT’s New Works Associate, and one assistant will be assigned to each of the participating projects of the Festival of New Musicals in an intern capacity and to support the relevant department of that creative team. They will be added to creative conversations including casting, rehearsals and the other needs for a staged reading presentation. Creative Assistants are expected to be present for all rehearsals, sound check and presentations for their Festival musical in October in New York City. Creative Assistants also conduct onstage interviews with their Festival Writers at the Fall Conference Meet the Writers Preview Event. Creative Assistants will begin in late August. The Festival is October 24-25 and rehearsals take place for 20-hours as scheduled between October 13-23. 

Program Goals:
This program aims to foster diversity, equity and professional growth within the departmental aspects of the musical theatre industry by focusing on three specialized areas: Directing, Script & Music. 

• Each of the eight Festival shows will be matched with a Creative Assistant that focuses in one of these three categories: Directing, Script & Music. 
• Creative Assistants will have the opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to the new musical development process.  
• Creative Assistants will immerse in the techniques that experienced directors, writers and music directors employ while working to bring a new musical to life.  
• Creative Assistants will be invited to attend select NAMT Fall Conference panels (curated by NAMT), during the Fall Events Week in October in New York City. Participants may attend and audit Conference panels, as well as utilize the event as an opportunity to network with industry leaders from around the globe.
• Creative Assistants are expected to be present for all rehearsals, sound check and presentations for their Festival musicals in October in NYC.  
• Creative Assistants will receive a small stipend. ($325) They will be financially responsible for their travel to and stay in NYC during that time.

Process:

Creative Assistants are invited to virtual pre-production meetings beginning in late August, and then must be in person for rehearsals, sound check and Festival performances in October. Rehearsal dates and times vary per show assignment. Rehearsals take place in Midtown Manhattan, and presentations are at New World Stages. The Festival is a live event and must be attended in person. The NAMT Festival Creative Assistantship Program is dedicated to nurturing talent, promoting diversity, and advancing equity within the musical theatre community. By empowering early-career professionals through tailored experiences in directing, script/literary management and music, NAMT is committed to shaping a more inclusive and innovative future for musical theatre.

FAQ:
Who is eligible to apply for this program?
The program is open to early-career theatre-makers with a focus in any/all of directing, writing or music who also identify as early-career professionals of color, early-career professionals with disabilities, women  early-career professionals, and LGBTQIA+ early-career professionals. Non-US citizens are welcome to apply. 

What is expected of the Creative Assistants once they have been selected?
Creative Assistants are expected to work in an intern learning-meets-assistance capacity and to support the relevant department of that creative team. Once a Creative Assistant has been selected, they will be added to all creative conversations including casting and the other needs for a staged reading presentation. The majority of pre-Festival work is done via email and Zoom and there is a great deal to glean from observing these communications. 

How will the final Creative Assistants be selected?
Once the applications have closed, the NAMT staff will review applications and schedule short interviews with semi-finalists. Interviews will be held at the end of July/early August and will be conducted by NAMT’s New Works Associate Skye Cone Ivey.

Who has participated in the NAMT Festival in the past?
Directors such as Stephen Brackett, Stafford Arima, Christopher Ashley, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Sarna Lapine, Lonny Price, Rebecca Taichman, Schele Williams, Victoria Bussert, Jerry Dixon, Kent Gash, Kent Nicholson, Peter Rothstein, May Adrales, Sherri Barber, Sam Buntrock, Marlo Hunter. Music Directors such as Andrea Grody, Patrick Sulken, Kurt Crowley, Anessa Marie, Lily Ling, as well as writers such as Heather Christian, Shannon Burkett, David Hein, Irene Sankoff, Anna K. Jacobs, Michael R. Jackson, Ross Baum, Angelica Chéri, Bekah Brunstetter, Melis Aker, Tatiana Pandiani and Jacinta Clusellas. 

Do I have to be a member of NAMT to apply for this program?
No! This program is open to all early-career professionals with an interest in directing, writing or music who identify as BIPOC, a person with disabilities, a woman, and/or LGBTQIA+.