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 2025 Florida Festival of New Musicals will be accepted starting July 1, 2024. 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 13th. 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. 

Auditions for the 8th Annual Florida Festival of New Musicals will be held in-person at the Playhouse on Tuesday, February 11 and Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

More information will be provided as the audition dates approach.

The Winter Park Playhouse is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including age, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status or veteran status, the presence of a non-job-related handicap, genetic information or any other legally-protected status.