National Centre for New Musicals

Presented by
Incite Foundation for the Arts

The National Centre for New Musicals (NCNM) is set to revolutionize the national and international musical theatre landscape, offering unparalleled opportunity for both established and emerging Canadian composers, lyricists, book writers and theatre artists.

2023-2024 Submissions are now closed.

VISION

The National Centre for New Musicals aspires to be a unique program in Canada, offering writers the opportunity to take risks and develop new works. We emphasize the creative process, aiming to elevate Canada’s presence on the global musical theatre stage. NCNM supports projects at various development stages, from early concepts to previously showcased pieces. Guided by a distinguished Advisory Committee of celebrated theatre practitioners, NCNM amplifies diverse voices through a yearlong mentorship program to maximize artists’ success. 

IMPACT

Support early-stage development of new musicals with seed funding available for composers, bookwriters and lyricist to test ideas.

Support pieces through mentorship, dramaturgy and workshops with industry leading professionals.

Build a pathway for continued development and presentation opportunities at Aquarius and other Canadian professional theatres. 

INCUBATION PROGRAM

The Incubation Program discovers new musical theatre projects at the idea stage. It’s focus is on early development and nurturing creative potential through a yearlong process. 

  • Projects will receive mentorship and dramaturgy to assist in shaping the narrative.  
  • Writers will benefit from music supervision, movement dramaturgy, as well as workshop opportunities to experiment with Canada’s top creative teams and performers.  
  • Pieces will have presentation opportunities for leading industry professionals, providing a platform to build connections with potential collaborators and development prospects.

PRESENTATION PROGRAM

The Presentation Program is dedicated to advancing new musicals that are further along in the creative journey. This yearlong program offers a platform for continued development, culminating in presentation opportunities. 

  • Projects will receive dramaturgy to continue to write, explore and refine the piece. 
  • Writers will work with music supervisors on composition and arranging, as well as explore movement with Canada’s top choreographers. 
  • Teams will have workshop opportunities to test ideas with a creative team and performers.  
  • Pieces will have staged presentation opportunities for leading industry professionals, facilitating connections with future collaborators and opportunities.

“I’ve always believed Canadians are great storytellers in different aspects of the arts. We’ve seen Canadians succeed in music, in comedy, in animation. I’ve always believed Canadians could succeed in the genre of musical theatre. What they needed was two things: continuous support, and the opportunity to fail and to learn from that failure how to succeed.”

Michael Rubinoff, co-chair of the centre’s advisory committee, originating producer of “Come From Away”

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Michael Rubinoff

Co-Chair of the NCNM Advisory Committee

BIO

Lily Ling

Co-Chair of the NCNM Advisory Committee

BIO

Mary Francis Moore

NCNM Artistic Advisory Committee

BIO

Sean Mayes

NCNM Artistic Advisory Committee

BIO