As a professional, year-round musical theatre largely focused on producing lesser-known and new musicals, The Winter Park Playhouse believes wholeheartedly in the importance of fostering the development of new works. Thus the Playhouse created and launched The Florida Festival Festival of New Musicals in 2017.

The purpose of the annual international festival is to advance and elevate the original American art form of musical theatre by fostering the development of new musicals and the artistic growth of writers and composers.

New musical applications for the 2023 Florida Festival of New Musicals are being accepted through September 15, 2022. Click here for more information.

The Florida Festival of New Musicals is a 4-day event that showcases six brand-new, never-before-produced musical works and brings together writers and composers with patrons, press, producers and directors. The first act or one-hour version of each selected musical will be fully read and sung concert-style, without staging, by varying casts of professional actors and musicians.

The festival is led by Playhouse Artistic Director Roy Alan. It is the only one of its kind in the region, similar to musical theatre festivals featuring new works that take place in New York City, Seattle, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. It provides a unique insight into how a new musical comes to life. New musical submissions from writers and composers around the country will be accepted through September 15th. Each submitted application will be read, evaluated and critiqued by a panel of industry professionals. The panel will make their final selection of six musicals in February. Along with members of the artistic community, the general public is encouraged and invited to attend and be engaged in this unique and exciting theatrical experience. 

We are now accepting video audition submissions for the 6th Annual Florida Festival of New Musicals. The festival was created by The Winter Park Playhouse to advance and elevate the genre of musical theatre by fostering the development of new musicals and the artistic growth of writers and composers.

The four-day festival will run June 22-25, 2023 at The Winter Park Playhouse (711 N. Orange Avenue, Winter Park, FL) and will showcase six brand new, never-before-produced musicals. The first act of each musical will be fully read and sung concert-style, without staging, by casts of professional actors and musicians.

The Playhouse is seeking professional Equity (Staged Reading Agreement) & Non-Equity musical theatre performers. Rehearsals and performances will be no more than a 29-hour total commitment. Housing is not provided. Actors of all ethnicities, ages and genders are encouraged to submit.

The Winter Park Playhouse is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a respectful, safe workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to celebrating all dimensions of diversity and ensuring that everyone feels a sense of inclusion and belonging. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation or any other basis as protected by law.

Video audition requirements:

• Submit a headshot and resume. Please include vocal range.
• 16-32 bars of an up-tempo AND a ballad, showcasing two different styles. (Musical theatre pieces preferred.)
• One-minute comic monologue.

Please send audition materials to Festival@winterparkplayhouse.org by March 6, 2023. Videos must either be in MP4 format or accessible through a YouTube link.