What is the Jo Zakas Musical Theatre Incubator Program?
The School of Performing Arts envisions the Musical Theatre Incubator Program as the leader in the creation of original (new) works. This niche provides unique and rare training to each Musical Theatre major and extends to all the students in the School of Performing Arts. Gaining recognition as a program that produces relevant, timely, thought-provoking musical theatre, the Incubator Program has many benefits:
- It places ΊΓΙ«ΟΘΙϊ on the cutting edge of innovation in Musical Theatre
- It elevates student performing artists and technicians to professional applied learning experiences
- It facilitates a growing a network of established musical theatre artists
- It brands the program as a destination for new works that create well-rounded theatre artists, including opportunities beyond performance in areas such as dramaturgy, theatre history, and other facets of theatre
Each year, the School of Performing Arts invites guest artists to campus with the end goal of performing a staged reading of a musical at the conclusion of their workshopping experience. Guest artists could be playwrights, composers, designers, choreographers, and other related professions. Each will interact with students in-person at least two weeks each year: one week prior to and the week of a reading or production.
How is the Program Funded?
For our first project, the funding was generously provided by the Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation which enabled the School of Performing Arts to bring two of the writers to campus for two days. They visited two theatre classes and answered questions at talkbacks following the first two performances of the show. Funds were also used for artists fees, marketing, and the music director of the show.
The , has continued funding the program and due to their incredible gnerosity, the program was officially renamed the Jo Zakas Musical Theatre Incubator Program in 2024. Read more about their support for the progam .
What new works have been through the program?
