November 2011, (Los Angeles, CA),The Festival of New American Musicals (FNAM) spokesperson, Darren Criss (Glee) and executive producers Marcia Seligson, Bob Klein, and Linda Shusett are announcing the first annual nationwide search for emerging young musical theatre writers. It is called FNAM's Show Search. FNAM is looking for the next "Stephen Schwartz" (Wicked), and now some of the best up-and-coming musical theatre talent will have the opportunity to showcase their work via an online search right here at www.festivalofnewamericanmusicals.org to find FNAM's "Best New Musical." Finalists will have their 10-minute musicals performed by some of theaters' top pros as a staged reading in Los Angeles with celebrity judges.

"We are delighted to launch FNAM's Show Search to further part of the mission behind the Festival of New American Musicals," says Co-Executive Producer of the Festival, Bob Klein. He continues, "Kids who want to perform have lots of opportunities through their schools and local youth theater groups. But for those who create, the opportunities are practically non-existent. With Show Search we can begin to offer opportunities for up and coming talent to showcase their passion for musical theatre and the arts in a way that will reach thousands, speak to new audiences and will allow for prime exposure for these emerging musical playwrights."

Writers will submit a 10-minute, unedited musical, which will be judged on storytelling, musicality, performance and originality. The contest is open to contestants' ages 13-25 years of age.

FNAM's Show Search will officially launch in February of 2012, but applicants are encouraged to start creating their pieces now. The search will be an online submission contest using YouTube and www.festivalofnewamericanmusicals.org, where contestants will be encouraged to promote and spread their entries by using their social media networks. Finalists will be flown to Los Angeles in Spring 2012 and a celebrity jury will judge them. The winners (six total), three for high school-age musicals and three for college age, will receive a live concert reading as an addition to FNAM's New Musical Staged Reading Series, scholarships and more.

Show Search is a NATIONAL search for the best 10-minute musical, written by 13 - 25 year olds! SHOW SEARCH is hosted by FNAM Spokesman, DARREN CRISS

The Musicals will be judged on storytelling, musicality, performance, and originality.

These 10 Minute musicals must be complete stories with a beginning, middle, and end. They must not exceed 10 Minutes in length.

Our staff of musical theater pros will review the new musical entries and narrow them to the TOP TWELVE, six from each age division (below 18 and 18–25 yo).

A Celebrity Judge Panel will review the Top Twelve, and narrow them down to a TOP SIX.

The TOP SIX will be flown to Los Angeles, where the writers will work with a Broadway mentor to polish up their shows. The shows will then be performed and directed by Broadway professionals in a one night Staged Reading Event.



Entrants must submit a filmed, unedited musical performance lasting no more than 10 minutes on YouTube. The musical must include at least one character, and must be scored in some way using instruments (a cappella is not acceptable). Your score may feature any kind of music with an unlimited number of instruments.

For the Youtube Video: The camera must remain in a single position for the duration of the performance.

The submissions should NOT be movies, but more like recordings of live theater performances.

All shows must be original, no adaptations of existing material. Submissions must be accompanied by proof of age.

Division of the work must be credited to (at most) a Lyricist, Composer, and Librettist.

Co-writing is permissible, but each show AT MOST may credit three collaborators per musical.


To register send us an email at info@lafestival.org, give us your:
Name:
Age:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Name of your School (if you're in school):
The Link To Your Youtube Video: (See above video guidelines)


SUBMISSIONS DUE BY JANUARY 30th, 2012 at 11:59PM

ENTRANTS MUST BE AVAILABLE TO COME TO LOS ANGELES FOR FINALS FROM MARCH 22nd - MARCH 24th.

THE TOP SIX: The Top Six Musicals will receive mentorships from top Broadway composers, and have their musicals presented in live concert in Los Angeles through the Festival of New American Musicals’ (FNAM)New Musical Staged Reading Series.

THE TOP TWO: "Best Musicals" will receive a Financial Scholarship Awarded Per Show (to be divided equally amongst the show's writing teams), as well as further mentorship by FNAM's extensive network of artists/producers/directors/agents.