Ty Defoe News

The Yale Institute for Music Theatre announces the creative teams and casting for the two original book musicals, Afterland, music and lyrics by Benjamin Velez and book and lyrics by Kathryn Hathaway, and Clouds are Pillows for the Moon, music by Tidtaya Sinutoke and book and lyrics by Ty Defoe, which will be developed in an intensive lab setting in New Haven, June 3-15. The Institute culminates with open rehearsal readings of each project, presented as part of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, on June 14 and 15.

Rachel Kunstadt and Quintessence of Dust Productions present Sing Away the Stigma, a benefit concert working towards erasing the stigma of mental illness, which will be held tonight, May 21st at 9:30 pm at 54 Below.

The seventh installment of BC Beat on Monday, May 19th highlights award winning choreographers and performers from television, film and Broadway who have created and performed in some of the year's most anticipated productions.

Rachel Kunstadt and Quintessence of Dust Productions present Sing Away the Stigma, a benefit concert working towards erasing the stigma of mental illness, which will be held Wednesday, May 21st at 9:30 pm at 54 Below.

The International Festival of Arts & Ideas today announced complete details for Festival 2014, taking place from June 14 to 28 in New Haven, Connecticut. The theme for the Festival's 19th annual event is Transformation & Tradition, gathering together artists and thinkers who have drawn from the past in order to imagine the future in ways that are startling, bold, and exciting.

The YALE INSTITUTE FOR MUSIC THEATRE has selected two original book musicals to be developed in an intensive lab setting in New Haven, June 3-15. Afterland, with music and lyrics by Benjamin Velez and book and lyrics by Kathryn Hathaway, will be directed by Mark Brokaw; and Clouds are Pillows for the Moon, with music by Tidtaya Sinutoke and book and lyrics by Ty Defoe, will be directed by Leigh Silverman. The Institute culminates with open rehearsal readings of each project, presented as a part of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, on June 14 and 15.

Prospect Theater Company presents a developmental performance of new musical shorts by some of NYC's most exciting emerging musical theater writers, the result of work created in the company's 7th annual musical theater lab.

Broadway Producer Ken Davenport and Davenport Theatrical presented the first annual Davenport Songwriting Contest! 10 songs competed for the title of 'Best Song' and a $500 Grand Prize. All finalists received a cash prize of $50. The evening was hosted by Rock Audition Guru, Sheri Sanders (Rock The Audition). Scroll down for photos!

Broadway Producer Ken Davenport (author of the popular blog, The Producer's Perspective) & Davenport Theatrical present the first annual Davenport Songwriting Contest! 10 songs will compete for the title of 'Best Song' and a $500 Grand Prize. All finalists will receive a cash prize of $50. The evening will be hosted by Rock Audition Guru, Sheri Sanders (Rock The Audition). Singers include Hannah Elless (Somewhere In Time, Godspell, The Other Josh Cohen), Ben Fankhauser (Newsies), Craig Waletzko (Guys & Dolls, Young Frankenstein), and Mary Kate Morrissey (Hair).

A total of 46 established and emerging writers, composers and lyricists will converge on the Goodspeed campus in East Haddam, CT this month to participate in the Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. The writing teams, representing nearly 30 new musicals, will populate the campus, creating a truly exciting environment for discovery and inspiration.

Coming up this week at Joe's Pub: Night of a Thousand Genders, Sky-Pony, Creative Time, Ben Allison Band, CMA Songwriters, Marta Gomez, Sultans of String, Never Sleep Alone, Lri McKenna, Champagne Jerry, Shakina Nayfack, Reverend Billy, Cristin Milioti and Justin Sayre. Details below!