SEE YOUR ORIGINAL MUSICAL COME TO LIFE AT STAGES 2009! What is Stages? (For complete details on Stages, download the What is Stages PDF )

 

Stages takes place in the three-theatre complex of Theatre Building Chicago (1225 W Belmont) in Chicago. Festival attendees include producers, directors, writers, composers, and musical theatre aficionados from all over the country. One audience member called it "a religious retreat for musical theatre lovers." Stages is an opportunity for authors and composers to see and hear their work interpreted by a production team and performed for an audience. It is also an opportunity for producers and directors to assess new musicals and musical theatre talent. New musicals can be submitted by producers, theatres, agents, or writers. We actively encourage theatres and producers to submit and sponsor new musicals that they are developing. Theatre Building Chicago's goal is to help producers and collaborators to take a more objective look at new musicals in the early stages of development. There are only three requirements for selection for Stages 2009: the application must be accompanied by a recommendation from a theatre professional, or submitted by authors associated with one of the professional training programs listed on the application form; the authors must agree to attend Stages 2009 if their piece is selected; and the authors must agree to give program credit to Theatre Building Chicago acknowledging festival participation for any future production. That’s it. There are no other encumbrances or rights restrictions placed on any entry, separate from any that the authors may have on their own. There are no entry fees.

Applications for Stages 2009 can be obtained from Theatre Building Chicago 1225 W. Belmont Avenue Chicago, IL 60657 Allan Chambers - Associate Artistic Director 773-929-7367 ext 229.

(see below to download an application to STAGES 2009) MARK YOUR CALENDARS August 21-23 Stages 2009 Performances

What is Stages 2009 (56 KB PDF) Stages 2009 Application (72 KB PDF) note: requires Adobe® Reader® to view. Download it Free Stages 2008 Brochure (320 KB PDF) Review the new works and panel discussions from the past years presentations
IMAGES FROM PAST STAGES
Stages 2008 presentation of Book & Lyrics by Chris Burgess, Music by Denise Wright	Stages 2008 presentation of Book, Music & Lyrics by Lawrence Mark Wythe	(Stages 2008 presentation of Belle Barth: If I Embarrasss You, Tell Your Friends: Book by Joanne Koch, Lyrics by Owen Kalt, Music by Ilya Levinson	Stages 2008 presentation of Book by Lyrics by Bill Nabel, Music by Bob Christianson	Stages 2008 presentation of Book by Edward M. Cohen, Lyrics by Edward M. Cohen & Marshall Coid, Music by Marshall Coid

(Stages Festival photo credit: Paul Grigonis ©2006 p+gdesign)

How is Stages 2009 structured? Stages 2009 will present new musicals in different stages of development - Concert Readings, Staged Readings and Studio Presentations. Theatre Building Chicago staff and other theatre professionals from across the country evaluate the new works submitted for the Stages festival. The readers consider musical shows of all lengths, topics, styles and size. Very short pieces, one-acts and full-length shows, operas, “pop” operas, standard book musicals, and experimental pieces are welcome. The Stages 2009 Timetable: Monday, September 29, 2008 - Deadline for Round One submissions. There can be no exceptions to this deadline. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please see the Application requirements below. December 17, 2008 - First Round cut announced. Approximately 30 teams of writers will be invited to submit full scripts and scores for Round Two. January 18, 2009 - Deadline for Round Two Submissions. Again, there will be no exceptions to this deadline. March 14, 2009 - Authors of selected shows invited to sign agreements. March 24, 2009 - Final selections announced to the public. August 21-23– Stages 2009 Performances

How are New Musicals Entered in Stages 2009? PLEASE NOTE - The Deadline for open submissions to Stages 2009 has passed. However, if you are member of a professional development organization such as BMI, NAMT etc. please contact Allan Chambers or John Sparks at the numbers below for destial on how you can still submit works for STAGES 2009. Completed Stages 2009 application form 4 copies of a synopsis of musical (two pages maximum) 4 copies of a sample book scene (three pages maximum) 4 cassette recordings (or CD’s) of three songs from the work and one piano/vocal score (not a lead sheet) for the same three songs Letter of recommendation from a theatre professional Members of the following programs DO NOT NEED a letter of recommendation: The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop The NYU/Tisch MFA Musical Theatre Writing Program The Academy for New Musical Theatre in Los Angeles Mercury Musical Developments in London (Professional Writer Associates only) Theatre Building Chicago Writers’ Workshop ASCAP Foundation Musical Theatre Workshop Participant Organizational Memebrs of the National Association of Muscial Theatre Letter stating proof of rights (if work is based on a source not in public domain or is not an original idea) Resumes of all authors Please send all applications to: Allan Chambers - Associate Artistic Director 773-929-7367 ext 229. John Sparks - Artistic Director 773-929-7367 - ext 222 Theatre Building Chicago 1225 W. Belmont Avenue Chicago IL 60657 Please note: Materials will not be returned. All materials are destroyed after being rated. Please prepare the package so that it contains 4 separate envelopes. Three envelopes will contain the synopsis, the sample scene and the recording. One envelope will contain these items as well as a completed Stages 2008 application form, a letter of recommendation (if required in your case), a letter stating proof of rights and the resumes of the authors.

STAGES in the News http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/shenton/2008/11/yesterday-in-chicago-with-tomorrow/