@dramatistsguild @LaurieFlanigan

After three years of regular monthly meetings at the Playwrights Center in Minneapolis, the New Musical Theatre Exchange has formalized its membership procedure and established non-profit status to fullfill its mission to support the development of new musicals by serious writers committed to the craft of musical theater writing. Producer Jim Miles and Dramatists Guild members Brian Vinero, who came to the Twin Cities by way of the BMI workshop in NYC, and Janet Preus, a New Tuners/Chicago alum, founded NMTE. While the doors of the exchange will continue to be open to interested newcomers, including actors and directors, the new membership structure allows for a more formalized process for the presentation of members’ material and the continued development of works-in-progress with an eye always toward full production. At present, the exchange has eight full members, including DG members Maureen Kane Berg, Steven Kennedy, Shirley Mier, and four associate members.

Those interested in joining the NMTE should expect to audit two sessions before being invited to present ten minutes of material to the group, with the understanding that an invitation to join as an associate member comes with a long-term commitment to membership in the Exchange. The NMTE is also committed to getting its members’ work seen. Previous years have included an industry showcase and last year’s Minnesota Fringe production, Another Opening, Another Show, a compilation of excerpts from four NMTE works-in-progress. For more information about the Exchange, contact Jim Miles at jimmiles.nmte@gmail.com.

This past April, on closing night of Fruit Fly: the Musical at the Illusion Theatre in Minneapolis, I was present to celebrate the launch of The Catalysts, a new company which “…aims to develop, produce and present new and inventive musical theatre centered on social justice and the full scope of human potential.” A writer/composer driven company, The Catalysts also sponsor Musical Mondays at Hell’s Kitchen, a monthly cabaret series featuring musical theatre performers in the Twin Cities, hosted on the first Monday of every month. For info about the new company and Musical Mondays, check out The Catalysts’ website: www.thecatalysts.org.

As I write this, Theatre Latte Da is deep into their new work series, NEXT: New Musicals in the Making, a new work series that showcases three new musicals in various stages of development. This year’s series includes a piece by DG member Peter Duchan, the bookwriter on Stu for Silverton, a new musical based on the true story of America’s first transgender mayor and the town that elected him. For more info: www.theater.latteda.com/next/

lflaniganhegge@dramatistsguild.com

An excerpt from the Janet Prius musical Water from Snow presented by Another Opening, Another Show at Minnesota Fringe

And excerpt from the Brian Vinero and Steven Kennedy musical adaptation of The Magnificent Ambersons presented in Another Opening, Another Show at Minnesota Fringe