named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Industry Nights Series
Free event series for members featuring experts in the musical theatre profession, open to all with a $10 donation for non-members.
Musical Writers Lab
Ongoing developmental program for musical theatre writing teams by invitation, offering resources such as rehearsal space, legal services, table reads, and staged industry readings. Includes both a Local NY chapter and an International chapter meeting bi-weekly via Zoom.
SOUND BITES
Annual festival showcasing ten 10-minute musicals selected through open submission. Held in New York City each spring at professional venues, offering writers exposure to audiences and industry professionals.
Short Musicals Licensing Program
Licensing and publishing initiative for 10-minute musicals developed through SOUND BITES, providing schools, colleges, and regional theaters access to short-form musicals. Proceeds support Theatre Now’s developmental programming.
Verse Intro Cabaret
Monthly cabaret series at SoHo Playhouse featuring two musical theatre writing teams, one from the Musical Writers Lab and one selected via open submission. Provides a low-pressure environment for testing new material with a $75 guaranteed stipend per team.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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New Play Development Programs 4 activities
- Annual SOUND BITES Festival of 10-minute musicalsProduces an annual festival showcasing ten 10-minute musicals selected through an open submission process, presented live in New York City each spring. The festival provides a platform for writers, composers, and lyricists to present original works to audiences and industry professionals, with past editions hosted at venues including The 47th Street Theatre, Pershing Square Signature Center, and Merkin Hall.
- Monthly cabaret series for musical theatre writing teamsProduces a monthly cabaret series since March 2023 featuring two musical theatre writing teams per event, providing each with a $75 stipend, performance equipment (88-key keyboard and 4-input soundboard), video recording with basic editing, and custom promotional image assets for their use and outreach.
- Production and development of new theatrical worksFacilitates the creation and development of new musicals and re-imagined productions through bi-weekly labs, developmental workshops, and concert stagings. Lab members receive peer support, developmental productions, and opportunities for presentation in off-off-Broadway theatres over 3 to 6 performances.
- Reinvestment of licensing revenue into new productionsReinvests proceeds from its licensing program back into production programming to support the development of new musical theatre works, sustaining a cycle of creation and dissemination.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Industry Nights and public expert seriesHosts an ongoing Industry Nights Series and related public events featuring experts in the musical theatre profession, including master classes such as one led by Gretchen Cryer. The series is open to the public and supports professional development and networking within the field.
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Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Initiatives 1 activity
- Land acknowledgment and advocacy for decolonization and antiracismRecognizes the Munsee Lenape as the original inhabitants of the land where its office is located and acknowledges the history of genocide and forced removal. Invites audiences and stakeholders to engage in reconciliation, decolonization, antiracism, and allyship through public acknowledgment and reflection.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Alumni and writer capacity buildingProvides alumni and Lab members with ongoing support including networking, publication, licensing, and opportunities for future productions, helping to increase their visibility. Supports advancement of works to major festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Eugene O'Neill National Music Theatre Conference, and National Alliance for Musical Theatre Festival of New Musicals. Facilitates collaborations with professional performers such as Julie Benko and Diana DeGarmo.
- Licensing and publishing of short-form musicalsOperates the "10-Minute Musical Collection," a licensing and publishing program launched in 2020 that licenses short musicals developed through its programs to schools, colleges, community theatres, and professional companies nationwide. Facilitates licensing through Music Theatre International (MTI) and supports publication, including an anthology of works from the first six years of the SOUND BITES festival. Plans to expand licensing to full-length musicals starting in 2026.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$203K
Contributions & grants$165K82%
Program service revenue$37K18%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$187K
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$37K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$52K
Cash$52K
Investments$0
Liabilities$23K
Net assets$29K
Liquid reserves3.3 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +42.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 10
- CAMELE-ANN WHITE — PRESIDENT
- COLLEEN HARRIS — TREASURER/SE
- EMMA COOKSON — TRUSTEE
- ERIC ROPER — TRUSTEE
- ERIC S GOLDMAN ESQ — TRUSTEE
- JONATHAN B JAMES — TRUSTEE
- MARCUS WOOLLEN — TRUSTEE
- MARK HENRY — TRUSTEE
- RICHARD VOS — TRUSTEE
- THOMAS MORRISSEY — TRUSTEE
relationships · 34
Who they work with
- ART/NY Partner — Hosts in-person Local NY Lab sessions at ART/NY studios.
- Actors' Equity Association Partner — Collaborates with Actors' Equity Association for casting approval in productions.
- Actors' Equity Foundation Funder — Provides financial support at the $250 - $499 sponsorship level
- Adam Gwon Partner — Guest speaker in the Industry Nights Series.
- Alliance for Resident Theatres (ART/NY) Funder — Provides financial support at the $250 - $499 sponsorship level
- American Theatre of Actors Partner — Hosts performances at the Sargent Theatre located within the American Theatre of Actors.
- Andi Lee Carter Partner — Co-producer of the Verse Intro Cabaret series with Theatre Now New York.
- Arri Lawton Simon Partner — Guest speaker in the Industry Nights Series.
- Briana Harris Partner — Co-producer of the Verse Intro Cabaret series with Theatre Now New York.
- City Theatre Partner — Supports advancement of SOUND BITES selections to City Theatre’s Short Play Festival in Miami.
- Frank Young Fund for New Musicals Funder — Provides financial support at the $2,500 - $4,999 sponsorship level
- Janine McGuire Partner — Guest speaker in the Industry Nights Series.
- Julia Jordan Partner — Guest speaker in the Industry Nights Series.
- Kaufman Music Center Partner — Hosted SOUND BITES 6.0 through SOUND BITES ELEVEN at Merkin Hall
- Kaufman Music Center Partner — Hosts the SOUND BITES festival at Merkin Hall, a venue operated by Kaufman Music Center.
- Lisa Lambert Partner — Tony Award-winning guest speaker in the Industry Nights Series.
- Music Theatre International Partner — Partnered with Music Theatre International to make performance rights for the 10-minute musicals in the anthology available.
- Music Theatre International Partner — Partners with Music Theatre International (MTI) to license selected short musicals from the SOUND BITES festival.
- Music Theatre International (MTI) Funder — Provides financial support at the $5,000 - $9,999 sponsorship level
- National Alliance for Musical Theatre Funder — Provides financial support at the $2,500 - $4,999 sponsorship level
- National Endowment for the Arts Funder — Provides financial support at the $10,000 and above sponsorship level
- National Foundation for Musical Theatre Funder — Provides financial support at the $1,000 - $2,499 sponsorship level
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Funder — Provides financial support at the $10,000 and above sponsorship level
- New York Musical Festival Partner — Supports advancement of SOUND BITES selections to the New York Musical Festival.
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Provides financial support at the $10,000 and above sponsorship level
- Next Link Project Partner — Supports advancement of SOUND BITES selections to the Next Link Project.
- Pershing Square Signature Center Partner — Hosted SOUND BITES 4.0 and 5.0 at the Irene Diamond Stage
- Pershing Square Signature Center Partner — Hosted SOUND BITES 4.0 and 5.0 at the Irene Diamond Stage.
- Rachel Sheinkin Partner — Tony Award-winning guest speaker in the Industry Nights Series.
- SOUND BITES Partner — Flagship festival program that develops and showcases short musicals later included in the licensing catalog.
+ 4 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Artist Support via Expert Access and Advocacymethodology: artist_support_through_expert_accessBy connecting artists with industry professionals and representing their works for licensing, the organization expands creative and professional opportunities, because access to networks and markets is critical to sustainable artistic careers.
- Development Through Performancemethodology: development_through_performanceBy enabling writers to refine their musical theatre works through live performance and audience feedback, the organization advances artistic development and readiness for full production, because experiential iteration improves creative outcomes.
- Diversity Through Writer-Centered Programmingmethodology: diversity-driven_audience_engagementBy cultivating diverse musical theatre writers through inclusive formats and community-building, the organization expands audience diversity and engagement, because authentic, inclusive storytelling resonates with broader and more representative audiences.
- Inclusive Incubation for Emerging Writersmethodology: inclusive_incubationBy lowering barriers to entry through open submissions, inclusive criteria, and peer-based labs, the organization fosters diversity and innovation in musical theatre, because equitable access enables underrepresented voices to contribute and thrive.