The CreateTheater NYC Musical Development Workshops

NYC Musical Workshop 1: Developing the
World and the Want

Sunday, April 26 12 noon ET

Panel: Skip Kennon (BMI Workshop), Linda Bonadies (Ph.D. in Musicology), and Cate Cammarata (OB Producer, Artistic Director, CreateTheater)

Presenters: $150 if accepted (ETC members free)

Observers: $49 (ETC members free)

Click Here to Submit a Presentation
Register to Attend as an Observer for $49

NYC Musical Workshop 1: Developing the World and the Want

Your musical doesn’t start with a song.
It starts with a world—and a character who needs something badly enough to sing about it.

CreateTheater’s NYC Musical Workshop Series Workshop 1 begins with the foundation every successful musical is built on: a vivid, compelling world and a protagonist with a clear, urgent want.

This live, online workshop brings you into the room with NYC-based industry professionals—producers, directors, artistic directors and dramaturgs — who will help you sharpen your storytelling and elevate your work.

What You’ll Experience

Selected writers will present a 10-minute integrated scene and song from a musical in development, performed by your own actors using your high-quality demo materials (mp3s) over the Zoom platform.

Or – just cast from the room! Your script will be shared on the screen for everyone to read – super-helpful when listening to demos and following along.

Each presentation receives 20 minutes of direct, actionable feedback from our expert panel, focusing on clarity, song structure, and how effectively your world and character want are coming across.

Whether you present or observe, you’ll gain important insights into how industry professionals evaluate new musicals in real time

Important Note: This is excellent for networking, as you will allow them to read your work and get to know YOU. 

This level of 1:1 professional networking and feedback is rare in online development at this price.

Workshop 1 Focus: The World & The Want

In this first of the four workshops, we’ll dive into the core of your musical:

  • What makes your world specific, theatrical, and compelling?
  • Who is your protagonist—and what do they want?
  • Is that want strong enough to drive the story forward?
  • Where is your inciting event, the day that is different from any other day?
  • How does your opening establish tone, stakes, and audience investment?

You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of what your piece is really about, and how to make an audience lean in from the very first moment.

Presenters: $150 if accepted (ETC members free)

Observers: $49 (ETC members free)

Click Here to Register as an Observer
Click Here to Submit Your Presentation
Broadway Producers Neal Rubinstein & Neil Gooding, Regional Director James Rocco, and former BMI faculty Skip Kennon in a 2024 CreateTheater Musical Workshop

In This Workshop, You Will:

  • Present and pitch your work to experienced NYC industry professionals
  • Receive targeted feedback to strengthen your storytelling
  • Learn how to clarify and heighten your protagonist’s central want
  • Understand how to build a theatrical world that supports your narrative
  • Observe other musicals in development and learn from their feedback
  • Connect with fellow writers, collaborators, and industry insiders

Good for observers, too, to learn how to apply the feedback to their own work.

The 2026 NYC Musical Development Workshop Series

A Complete Development Arc to Refine Your Musical

Workshop 1: Developing the World and the Want

  • Define your world and storytelling devices.
  • Clarify your protagonist and their  want
  • The I Want song
  • Understand and show your musical’s inciting event.

Sunday April 26 12pm Online

Workshop 2: Conflict, Obstacles, and the Close of Act 1

  • Who or what is the antagonist? Define the conflict
  • What’s blocking your protagonist’s want?
  • Set up the closing of Act 1 as the midpoint plot reversal.

Sunday July 26 12pm Online

Workshop 3: Back into the World & the “Big Gloom” 

  • Act 2 accelerates the action that Act 1 sets up 
  • Is there a “Big Gloom” before the climax?
  • Is there a fun song (the “11:00 Number”) before the climax?

Sunday Sept. 27 12pm Online

Workshop 4: The Climax, Resolution & Finale 

  • Does your main character get what they want?
  • Are there 3 parts of  complete climax?
  • Is the plot resolved? The subplots?
  • Does the Finale deliver your message in a song?

Sunday Oct. 25 12pm Online

Apply to Present in Workshop 1
Register as an Observer for Workshop 1

Commit to the Series – Not Just One Workshop

You can take one workshop. But here’s what happens when you commit to all four:

  • You apply feedback, then test the revision in the next session
  • Industry professionals begin to track your work and get to know you AND your musical
  • Your musical develops with continuity, not guesswork
  • You build real relationships—not one-off impressions—within the industry

This is how you make opportunities. This is industry networking.

2026 NYC Musical Development Workshop Package Discounts

Presenter Series Package

$500 (Save $100)

Best for writers actively developing a musical, or preparing for an industry reading or important submission.

Includes:

  • Presentation slots in all 4 workshops
  • 80 minutes of professional industry feedback 
  • 4 industry presentations to engage NYC theater professionals
  • Access to all teaching sessions and networking

This Development Series is professional development – without a thousand dollar tuition.

Observer Series Package

$150 (Save $46)

Best for writers learning musical structure, refining their own work, or preparing to present later.

Includes:

  • Access to all 4 workshops
  • Full visibility into the process of multiple projects evolving over time
  • All teaching + networking sessions

Watch how musicals actually get built—and what makes them work.

Apply for All 4 Workshops - Save $100
Register as an Observer for the Series $150

Note:

  • Only a small number of presenters are accepted per workshop, so apply early
  • Series package holders receive priority placement if approved 
  • Individual workshop spots may sell out before each date

Once 6 presenter slots are filled, applications close.

Which Option is Right for You?

Choose the Series Package if:

  • You’re serious about moving your musical forward in 2026
  • You want continuity, not one-off feedback
  • You’re ready to be seen by industry professionals more than once

Choose a Single Workshop if:

  • You want to test the experience first
  • You’re early in development
  • You’re observing before stepping in
  • You’re just learning about Musical Theater structure

Remember:

You can keep working on your musical in isolation…

Or you can put it in a room, hear what’s actually landing, and start shaping it into something producible.

Secure for your spot in the 2026 Series Now
Register now as an Observer in all 4 Workshops

Common Questions

 

NYC MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT LABS  — FAQs

Do I need to apply to present?
Yes. Labs are selective by design, and all materials must be submitted along with the application.
How do I present my musical online?
Musical scripts are read by your actors while the audience follows your script and lyrics online. Pre-recorded demos play the music.
How long is my presentation time?
Each presentation should be no longer than 10 minutes of consecutive action. This is important for us to experience your musical in real time. Approximately 20 minutes of feedback by our panel will follow.
Does my music have to be pre-recorded, or can I just sing and play myself?
Unfortunately, the technology we use requires all demos to be pre-recorded.
Do I bring my own actors or do you provide them?
Each presenter works beforehand with their own actors in order to present a polished performance to the panel. We can cast the presentation if necessary, for an additional fee. Actors may stay in the room to hear the feedback from the panel, if interested.
Can I pre-record the entire presentation beforehand?
If you prefer to record your actors reading and the demos playing beforehand, that is fine with us; however, your recording must be approved before the workshop.
What happens if I apply for the package and all four of my selections aren't approved?
We will work with you to find other scenes that may be approved. Alternately, we won’t charge you the Series price – just for the Workshops in which you actually present.