Across a Crowded Room 2024 — Open Application
After realizing that emerging musical theater makers had little opportunity to meet each other in
professional settings, Billy Rose Theatre Division Curator Doug Reside launched an incubator program series called
Across a Crowded Room to connect people working across the theater industry.
Since 2014, this summer-long program has put lyricists, composers, bookwriters, and performers into a
room together to form connections, collaborate, and ultimately create new 20-minute musical theatre pieces to
present at the Library for the Performing Arts.
Each year, the Library for the Performing Arts hosts these intensive sessions, and asks theater
professionals like Jeanine Tesori, Jason Robert Brown, and Lisa Lambert to offer guided feedback. At the end of
the program, the collaborations present their musicals to a live audience at the Library.
This year, we welcome lyricists, composers, bookwriters, and performers to apply to be a part of this
unique opportunity. Writer, lyricist, and performer Jeff Bowen will join us as advisor to offer feedback for each
musical.
Limited spots are available. Participants will be chosen by a random lottery.
Deadline: apply by May 25.
Apply
The first meeting is mandatory and in person on June 8. Following meetings take place online, and will
include three to be determined Saturdays from 11-1 during July and August. The final presentation happens at the
Library for the Performing Arts in September.