Frequently Asked Questions

 

“How did NYMF help ALTAR BOYZ? Let’s see, I could tell you about the press machine that helped generate interest from companies like VH1. Or about the money they saved us by providing us with a legitimate off-Broadway theatre. Or maybe you want to hear about how everyone on the staff, from the venue director to the executive director, seemed so determined to do whatever they could to make our show a success. But let me put it this simply. We had hoped that our production at the NYMF would be a springboard to an off-Broadway production…and…well, that turned out alright.” — Ken Davenport, Producer of ALTAR BOYZ

 

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Before submitting your show to us, you must read the following sections, which cover frequently asked questions about producing a show at NYMF. By clicking on either of the links at the bottom of this page, which take you to the Next Link Project application and the Festival Inquiry form, you attest that you have read and understood the information below . 

 

The New York Musical Theatre Festival delivers a range of resources to the shows accepted into the festival. We will provide support to help you produce your show as easily, effectively, and affordably as possible, but we do NOT produce the individual shows. We are, in effect, your co-producers.


When will I find out about my submission?

Notification of Next Link Finalists:  April 4
Notification of Next Link Selections: April 25
Notification of All Festival Shows: July 1

What will it cost me to be involved in the Festival?

We founded NYMF with the goal of delivering the resources all shows need so that, if need be, writers could afford to produce their own shows.  We provide a framework to allow the shows to be produced much less expensively, and we take care of the big ticket items – the performance venue and venue staff, the major marketing, a generous lighting package and major overall technical support.

You will still have to cover some other things, though – generally speaking, the Festival covers the items that are shared by the productions but you will will need to pay for the unique expenses of your particular show.   Depending on the size of your cast, your production values, and your shows specific needs, this may range from as little as $3,000 to as much as $20,000. These costs may include:

• Actors (under the 2008 AEA-NYMF Code, actors receive a minimum stipend of $500 for up to four weeks of rehearsal and up to two weeks of performances)
• Production Staff (Director, Designers, Musical Director, Musicians, Stage Manager, Board Operators, Run Crew, Casting Director, etc.)
• Set Materials and Construction Costs (remember: simple but effective – you’ll be sharing the venue with several other shows, and will have to strike your set after each show)
• Publicity Costs (in addition to the Festival-wide publicity, you should do your own; we can help you with cut-rate deals on postcards and PR services)
• Costumes (though we can assist you in securing not-for-profit rental rates)
• Rehearsal Space (we will help by securing discounts for festival participants, but rehearsals are entirely your responsibility)
• Additional/Special Technical Needs (anything out of the ordinary that wouldn’t be provided by NYMF as part of the standard package shared by all shows in a venue).

NYMF shows pay a production deposit or guarantee of $5000 upon acceptance, which is recoupable from the box office.  This deposit is waived for the 18 Next Link Project shows, which pay a $500 Next Link participation fee ($50 of your application fee is credited toward this amount). 

Box office proceeds (collected via a third-party system and professional box office staff) are split between NYMF and the individual shows, so you may make back some of your expenses – particularly if your show sells well.

Where and when will my show be performed?

Your show will be scheduled into one midtown venue for the duration of NYMF. You will share your venue with several other musicals that will play in repertory with yours.  In the past, NYMF venues have had between 85 and 199 seats.

In general, shows will have no less than 6 performances over the course of the Festival. Depending on ticket sales, NYMF may offer some shows the opportunity to extend for several extra performances, but we make no guarantees regarding the availability of such extensions.


What obligations will I have to NYMF after the Festival?

NYMF does not claim any rights or financial participation in the works after the festival, other than requiring that works presented in the festival credit NYMF in the future.

For more on NYMF shows that have gone on to further development in New York and around the world, visit NYMF SUCCESS STORIES. 

What are my responsibilities if my show is selected?

You and your producing partners will be responsible for all the aspects of producing your show – such as casting, rehearsals, show-specific staffing, design, physical production, and the many details and decisions required to successfully present your project.  (We provide a technical framework, professional support, and a marketing platform designed to help you maximize the impact of your work -- but there's no way we could possibly manage the day-to-day of each project in the festival.)

You are responsible for producing a fully-staged production (no scripts, no music stands!) of your show that meets professional standards, given the practicalities of producing within NYMF (such as Equity-imposed limitations on rehearsal time, the demands of playing in repertory, the need to easily load in and out of the venue, etc.). This means having staff members responsible for such things as direction, set design and costume design.

We expect all shows to be audience-ready by their first scheduled performance within the Festival.  NYMF will offer whatever support and guidance we can, but it is your responsibility to make sure that the show is in shape to be seen by an audience.

You will be responsible for providing certain information regarding your show on a timely basis, staying in close contact with the festival and providing a certain number of qualified technical staff for shared load-in and load-out of your venue.  Most importantly, you (or a producer or investor with whom you have a relationship) are responsible for covering the costs of producing your show within the festival.


How else can NYMF help me produce my show?

While you (or your producers) bear the responsibility for producing your own show at a professional level, we will do as much as we can to help you do so as effectively and inexpensively as possible. Some of the additional resources we can provide include:

• Basic guidance on producing within NYMF including a step-by-step guide for producers, a New York City resource guide and a Festival staff member who will directly assist you with questions and queries.
• A Festival Industry Liaison who will promote the Festival and your show within it to producers and companies both within New York and regionally.
• Assistance in finding designers and other production staff upon request.  We can also assist with trying to matchmake you with possible producers.
• Access to discounted rehearsal space and costume rentals.
• Assistance with casting: for a small fee, you can attend the open auditions hosted by NYMF and obtain a one-time casting consultation.
• Help in raising money for your production: under certain circumstances, we will provide fiscal sponsorship enabling donors to make fully tax-deductible donations to support your production. This requires case-by-case discussion and an additional agreement between NYMF and your producing company.

Additional resources provided for Next Link Project shows include:

• Subsidies covering your production deposit (a savings of as much as 25% of your overall budget). 
• Access to a professional New York dramaturg, who can act as a creative sounding board for your show as you continue to develop your script for production.  
• Access to industry networking and "matchmaking" events with potential producers, investors and collaborators.  

How long will I have to load in and load out?

There will be shared load-in and load-out days at the beginning and end of the Festival for all shared lighting and sound elements; each show will have individual load-in and tech time on the day of their opening performance (usually from 9:30am until the 8:00pm curtain. 

In planning your show’s technical and production aspects, bear in mind that you will have a single day in your theatre to tech and prepare the show, will be performing in repertory with other shows and may have to strike your show completely following each performance and remount it just before your next performance.  Additional technical/production information will be discussed in the participation packet you will receive if your show is accepted.

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