National Alliance for Musical Theatre Receives $60,000 Grant

The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded a $60,000 Art Works grant to the National Alliance for Musical Theatre to support NAMT's Fall Conference and 24th Annual Festival of New Musicals taking place in the fall of 2012. This significant contribution supports core components of NAMT's mission including nurturing the development and production of new musicals as well as providing educational and informational resources to our 150 members.

Executive Director Betsy King Militello stated, "The NEA's support is so crucial to the work we do in the field of musical theatre for both the industry and the artists. We are honored by and grateful for this Art Works grant."

In October, NAMT hosted their 2011 fall events. The 23rd Annual Festival of New Musicals brought eight new shows to an audience of over 600 industry attendees at New World Stages. This two-day festival continues to be an important and successful event for showcasing new musicals: over 75% of Festival alumni writers have developed their musicals further, secured representation and/or received commissions as a direct result of our Festival. Past Festivals have launched such notable musicals as The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, The Drowsy Chaperone, Iron Curtain, It Shoulda Been You, Kingdom, Meet John Doe, Ordinary Days, Thoroughly Modern Millie, See Rock City & Other Destinations, The Story of My Life, Striking 12 and Vanities.

The Fall Conference, a gathering of NAMT's membership of leading musical theatre producers, kicked off with a keynote address from the legendary director and producer Harold Prince. With his words as an anchor for the following two days, attendees discussed the health of the field and the development of new works with industry experts.

The 24th Annual Festival of New Musicals and Fall Conference will be held in October 2012 in New York City. Applications for the Festival will be available through www.namt.org in January.

NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE (NAMT)
Founded in 1985 and based in New York City, The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) is a national service organization dedicated exclusively to musical theatre. NAMT membership includes theatres, presenting organizations, higher education programs and individual producers. Located throughout 34 states and 7 countries, the 150 member organizations share NAMT's commitment to nurture the creation, development and production of new musicals and to provide a forum for musical theatre professionals to share resources and exchange information. For more information, visit www.namt.org.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre thanks the following individuals, foundations and government agencies for providing major support: The Ann Palmer Foundation, A.R.T./New York, ASCAP Foundation Irving Caesar Fund, BMI Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Dubose and Dorothy Heyward Memorial Fund, The Dramatists Guild Fund, Friars Foundation, Jamie deRoy & friends, Kenny and Marleen Alhadeff Charitable Foundation, The Rodgers and Hammerstein Foundation, Stacey Mindich Productions and The Shubert Foundation. The Festival of New Musicals is made possible in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State's 62 counties.