CAP21 Partners With RKO Stage to Develop Five New Musicals

CAP21 Theatre Company and RKO Stage have partnered to develop 5 new musicals inspired by RKO's classic film library over the next two years. CAP21 has designed a year-long developmental process during which writing teams are able to complete a strong first draft of a new musical. During each cycle, writers will participate in CAP21's signature New Works Development Program, a comprehensive process that includes: Process Meetings, Writers Residencies, Roundtable Readings, Read-Thru/Sing-Thru Table Readings and Concert Readings. With this new partnership CAP21 is receiving funding to establish the residency.

Since 1994, CAP21 has developed over 200 new plays and musicals written by over 270 writers. It is a primary objective of the CAP21 Theatre Company to assist artists with moving the production of their new work to another venue. Many new musicals developed at CAP21 have moved onto subsequent productions at CAP21 and/or other venues including: The Public Theatre, Theatre for the New City, Goodspeed Musicals, Trenton's Passage Theatre, LA's Tiffany Theatre, Florida Stage, Barrington Stage Company, and The Village Theatre

"This new partnership enables us to deepen our support of writers in the process of developing new American musicals. The resources that CAP21 is receiving for this initiative enable us to expand our programing and promote it to a larger artistic community." -Frank Ventura, Executive Artistic Director, CAP21.

"In this creative association with RKO, we are able to deliver the CAP21 programing and process in a timeline of one year. This makes it possible for the writers to deliver a draft of a new musical that is story driven, original and relevant to our times; one that platforms new voices, new collaborations and veteran writers of new musicals." -Eliza Ventura, Artistic Director, CAP21

Additionally, CAP21 Conservatory and Molloy College have partnered to launch a new four year BFA Theatre Arts Degree Program that combines CAP21's 20 years of experience providing excellent actor training specializing in musical theatre with Molloy College's renowned academic programming. The program launched in September with a freshman class of 27 students from across the United States. This is the first phase of a deeper collaboration which will include additional academic degree options. Another goal of the partnership is to bring CAP21's Professional Theatre Company to the Long Island community to develop new work and perform in residence at the Madison Theatre on the Molloy College campus.

About CAP21: Collaborative Arts Project 21, Inc. (CAP21), a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated overall to creating new work, developing new talent and building new audiences. CAP21, now in their 21st Anniversary Year, is an internationally recognized Musical Theatre Conservatory and award-winning Theatre Company. Every CAP21 endeavor embraces the following values: collaboration and exchange between emerging and accomplished artists; a nurturing support system; an infusion of the traditional with the innovative; a commitment to serving and cultivating a diverse audience.

The CAP21 Theatre Company was honored with the 2012 GLAAD award for Outstanding New York Theatre: Off and Off-Off Broadway, for its production of the new groundbreaking musical Southern Comfort. 2014 marks the fifth consecutive year that CAP21 Residency writers received the prestigious Jonathan Larson Grant for their work in a new musical developed and produced at CAP21.

The CAP21 Conservatory is proudly one of America's top musical theatre training programs and currently has over 140 alums that have performed on Broadway. Hundreds more have performed Off-Broadway, in national tours, and in film and television. Distinguished alumni include Lady Gaga (Grammy Winner), Matthew Morrison (Emmy Nominee, Tony Nominee), Melissa Fumero (Brooklyn Nine Nine), Nikki M. James (Tony Winner), Cristin Milioti (Tony Nominee), Bobby Steggert (Tony Nominee), and Adam Jacobs (Aladdin, The Lion King).

About RKO STAGE: RKO Stage, under the leadership of President, Ted Hartley, with Director of Development and Production, Ryan Bogner, draws inspiration from the classic RKO Pictures film library as well as original and acquired properties to produce theater for audiences worldwide. By developing partnerships with non-profit theatres, commercial producers, and theater owners, RKO Stage is able to utilize a multi-layered approach to creating theatrical productions for Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional theaters, and beyond.

About Ted Hartley: Ted Hartley is the CEO of RKO Pictures and RKO Stage Productions. He has been a producer on Gypsy (Tony nom), Curtains (Tony nom), Big Fish, 13, and Never Gonna Dance. His production of Top Hat in the West End garnered the 2013 Olivier Award for Best Musical. Hartley is a member of the Broadway League and on the Board of Directors of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center.

For additional information on RKO Stage, visit rkostage.com. For additional information on Molloy College, visit www.molloy.edu. For additional information on The CAP21 Theatre Company, visit www.CAP21.org.