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 producing and production management for new musical development. This part-time position reports to the NAMT New Works Director and Festival Producers for the 38th Annual Festival of New Musicals, scheduled for October 22-23, 2026. The contract will commence in August and end on November 2, 2026, or upon completion of the assigned duties. This is a temporary contract role with no benefits. 

The Line Producer Residency aims to foster the professional growth of individuals from historically underserved groups in the theatre field. Ideal candidates are highly organized, proactive communicators who enjoy supporting artists, solving problems, balancing multiple priorities and contributing to a collaborative environment.

Program Goals:

This program is designed to cultivate professional development in the production of new musicals. The primary goals are as follows:

• Strengthen Inclusive Pathways: In keeping with the mission of the Festival Emerging Artists Program, the Line Producer Residency  aims to strengthen inclusive development pathways in the musical theatre industry with in-the-room learning opportunities for early-career theatre-makers, with a focus on supporting individuals from historically underserved communities pursuing careers in producing.
• Front Row Experience: Line Producers will gain invaluable first-hand exposure to the production process of new musicals, working alongside the Festival Producers and creative teams to help produce and execute new musical presentations. 
• Skill Development: Line Producers will immerse themselves in the techniques and best practices employed by experienced producers, learning how producers 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 select NAMT Fall Conference panels, enabling them to network with industry leaders and peers from around the globe. The Festival is one of the largest networking and professional development events in the nation for the musical theatre field.
• 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.

Role Overview: 

Each Line Producer will support the producing, coordination, rehearsal process and Festival staged reading presentations for four new musicals that will all share the same stage at New World Stages. Each Line Producer will serve as the primary administrative and producing liaison for their assigned musicals from pre-production through the Festival presentations. 

Pre-Production Responsibilities: 

• Work closely with the Festival Producers to support all aspects of pre-production, rehearsals and Festival presentations.
• Serve as the primary contact between the creative teams for four assigned musicals and the Festival Producers, coordinating administrative, producing and rehearsal needs. 
• Coordinate cast onboarding, information collection, paperwork tracking, scheduling, deadline reminders, rehearsal coordination requests and other production needs. 
• Attend all required meetings, rehearsals and Festival events as listed in the Key Dates section below. 
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date contact sheets, rehearsal schedules and other Festival documentation. 

Festival Responsibilities:

• Assist with Festival load-in and load-out.
• Serve as the venue coordinator for four assigned musicals, ensuring artists and creative teams are present, informed and performance-ready in consultation with the Festival Producers. 
• Manage stage changeovers between presentations, supervising the movement of equipment and the facilitation of performer transitions on and offstage. 
• Troubleshoot production needs in real time while communicating closely with the Festival Producers. 
• Attend a Post-Festival post-mortem meeting.

Required Skills:

• Knowledge of standard AEA staged reading guidelines and policies.
• Experience coordinating multiple schedules for concurrent projects.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to remain calm under pressure while balancing competing priorities. 
• Professionalism, discretion and sound judgment when representing NAMT with artists, members and other industry professionals. 
• Availability from October 10-30, including evenings and weekends as required. 
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, AirTable, Zoom, Slack and other digital communication tools. 
• Willingness to pitch in and contribute to a collaborative team environment. 
• Ability to perform event-related physical tasks, including moving equipment (up to 50 lbs) and traveling short distances within venues, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Key Dates:

• Festival Staff Meetings, Weekly Check-Ins, Official Festival Production Meetings (via Zoom, as scheduled) 
• Site Visit: October 9 
• Rehearsals: October 11-21 (Exact rehearsal schedules TBD) 
• Festival Load-in: October 18
• Sound Check: October 19
• Fall Conference: October 20 & 21
• Festival Presentations: October 22 & 23
• Festival Load-out: October 26 

Compensation: 

Fee: Line Producers will be paid a $2,000 fee. This is an independent contractor position. No health insurance, unemployment insurance, paid time-off or other employment benefits are provided. 

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: $490), providing access to member networking events, professional development opportunities, industry resources and more.  

Spring Readings & Industry Events: Line Producers will also be invited to attend and represent NAMT at industry events in the winter and spring including readings, workshops, presentations, networking events and more. 

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 assistants in the development of new musicals. 

This program is dedicated to supporting the next generation of leaders in musical theatre by offering early-career theatre-makers the opportunity to be part of the NAMT Festival process from start to finish. 

This year, the Festival Creative Assistantship will welcome a total of sixteen Creative Assistants focused on the Directing and Music Departments. Each of the eight Festival musicals will be supported by two Creative Assistants: one Assistant Director and one Music Assistant. 

This position reports to the NAMT New Works Associate, who facilitates the program and provides support to the participants throughout the Festival process for the 38th Annual Festival of New Musicals, scheduled for October 22-23, 2026.

The Festival Creative Assistantship aims to foster the professional growth of individuals from historically underserved groups in the theatre field. Ideal candidates are curious, collaborative theatre-makers who are eager to learn, receptive to feedback, and excited to support artists while developing their own creative practice in directing or music.

Program Goals:

This program is designed to cultivate professional development within directing and music direction for musical theatre. The primary goals are as follows: 

• Strengthen Inclusive Pathways: In keeping with the mission of the Festival Emerging Artists Program, the Creative Assistantship aims to strengthen inclusive development pathways in the musical theatre industry with in-the-room learning opportunities for early-career theatre-makers, with a focus on supporting individuals from historically underserved communities pursuing careers in Directing and Music. 
• Front Row Experience: Creative Assistants will gain invaluable first-hand exposure to the process of developing new musicals, working with creative teams to support the execution of new musical presentations. 
• Skill Development: Creative Assistants will learn from experienced Directors and Music Directors while strengthening their own practice through observation, collaboration, rehearsal support and participation in the creative process. 
• Networking Opportunities: Creative Assistants will attend select NAMT Fall Conference panels, enabling them to network with industry leaders and fellow emerging theatremakers from around the globe. The Festival is one of the largest networking and professional development events in the nation for the musical theatre field.
• Support and Mentorship: Creative Assistants will receive guidance and mentorship from experienced creative leaders while joining a cohort of fellow emerging theatre makers participating across NAMT’s Festival Emerging Artists Program.  

Role Overview:

Each Creative Assistant will support one assigned Festival musical as either an Assistant Director or Music Assistant. Working alongside the creative team, Creative Assistants will serve in an educational assistant capacity from pre-production through Festival presentations while observing the collaborative process of developing a new musical.

Pre-Production Responsibilities: 

• Participate in virtual meetings as invited including observing casting discussions and creative planning conversations ahead of scheduled rehearsals. 
• Become familiar with their assigned musical, including materials and schedules for rehearsals. 

Festival Responsibilities:

• Attend all assigned rehearsals, Sound Check, select Fall Conference panels (including participation in the Meet the Writers interview panel) and Festival presentations. 
• Support the needs of the assigned musical.
• Participate in post-Festival reflection.

Required Skills: 

• Demonstrated interest in directing or music direction for new musicals.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to remain calm under pressure while balancing competing priorities. 
• Professionalism, discretion and sound judgment when representing NAMT with artists, members and other industry professionals. 
• Curiosity and willingness to learn in a fast-paced creative environment.
• Ability to receive feedback and adapt to changing rehearsal needs.
• Availability from October 10-23, including evenings and weekends as required. 
• Familiarity with Google Workspace, Zoom and other digital communication platforms.

The NAMT Festival Creative Assistantship Program is committed to nurturing talent, promoting inclusion, and supporting equity in musical theatre by empowering emerging professionals through immersive and meaningful departmental experiences.

Key Dates:

• Pre-Production Meetings, Official Festival Production Meeting (via Zoom, as scheduled) 
• Site Visit: October 9 
• Rehearsals: October 11-21 (Exact rehearsal schedules TBD) 
• Sound Check: October 19
• Fall Conference: October 20 & 21
• Festival Presentations: October 22 & 23

Creative Assistants begin with virtual pre-production meetings in late August, followed by in-person rehearsals and Festival activities in October. Rehearsals take place in Midtown Manhattan; Festival presentations are at New World Stages. This is a live, in-person, educational event and attendance is required.

Compensation: 

Fee: $400 stipend. 

Creative Assistants are responsible for their own travel, housing, and meals while participating in the Festival.