Across A Crowded Room 2022

Since 2014 The Billy Rose Theatre Division at the Library for the Performing Arts has presented Across a Crowded Room, a free, semi-annual program that provides a space for musical theatre writers and performers and experts to network, create new work together, and develop their skills. In the 2022 edition, we welcome theatre-makers to create a 20-minute musical with guidance from experts, such as Michael R. Jackson and Jeanine Tesori.

In the first meeting (in person at the Library), participants will get to know each other and form groups of three or more to work together over the course of the summer. In three additional sessions (which will take place on Zoom), participants will present their work to established composers, lyricists, and bookwriters for feedback and advice. The program will conclude with an in-person presentation of the musicals at the Library for the Performing Arts this fall.

This year’s musicals should be based on public-domain plays (copyrighted prior to January 1, 1927) available at New York Public Library.

This year's timeline

• July 9, 2022 (11am-1pm): In person meet and greet at the Library
• August 6, 2022 (Time TBD): Workshop on bookwriting (Artists TBD)
• August 13, 2022 (Time TBD): Michael R Jackson responds to your work on Zoom
• August 20, 2022 (Time TBD): Jeanine Tesori responds to your work on Zoom
• Final presentations in October (date TBD), live in the Bruno Walter Auditorium

All participants should be able to attend the first meeting in person at the Library for the Performing Arts, and plan to be in New York City in September of 2022.

Please sign up for only one category even if you are willing to perform multiple roles.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, United States