Newport NewWorks Musical Theater Festival

06/17/2026

We’re less than 7 weeks out from this year’s festival! Last Wednesday, we gathered for the final pre-festival table read of A LIFE WORTH LIVING — a darkly comedic and deeply human new musical about teenagers in a mental health treatment facility. 🍁

As part of our development process, table reads help our writers hear their work out loud, and get their show into the best possible shape before their residency with us in Newport.💙

Writer remarked after the read: “I received a lot of super helpful feedback about character motivation, song integration, and dramatic spine that I’m excited to tackle. I can’t wait to see how the changes show up in August!”

A LIFE WORTH LIVING will be presented this August in Newport, RI alongside STUPID: A genius new musical and THE DEBUTANTES. Tickets at link in bio! 🌊☀️

06/01/2026

Last Tuesday, the room was buzzing 🎶

As part of our development process, Sam, Eliza, and a brilliant group of artists gathered around for a table read of THE DEBUTANTES — one of the many ways we work with our writers between selection and the festival. Table reads help our writers hear their work out loud, so they can get feedback to continue rewriting, and get each show in the best shape possible before their time with us in Newport. 💜

And these Bletchley Park codebreakers are ready to make some noise at the festival this August. 🌊☀️

Public presentations in August at Newport, RI. Tickets at link in bio!

  

05/14/2026

TICKETS NOW ON SALE! 🎟️ Join us for the public workshop performances of Newport NewWorks 2026 Musical Theater Festival on Aug 14 & 15, 2026! Buy tix here: www.newportnewworks.org/festival-info-2026 🎭🎶

Festival artists engage in a rigorous development process which includes intensive rewriting prior to their residence in August. As such, though the 3 shows have been announced, programming decisions about what shows will be featured on which evening are still TBD. We promise it will be a thrilling evening no matter which musical you see!

Last year’s shows were completely sold out! We are opening ticketing now for those who would like to lock in tickets early to ensure access. If you would like to know exactly what show you’re seeing, including casts for each show, watch this space for updates in late June, and you can buy your tickets then subject to availability!

See you at the Festival! ☀️🌊

04/21/2026

Introducing the first musical of Newport NewWorks 2026…

STUPID: A genius new musical
by & Simon Scheuer ✨

“Agnes and Ferdinand are geniuses. But when they meet one another, things get stupid.”

Benjamin Scheuer (Drama Desk Award winner for The Lion) and Simon Scheuer bring their newest musical to Newport this August.

As they put it:
“How wonderful that we’re brothers and get to spend two weeks in August together, writing a new comedic musical in Rhode Island at Newport NewWorks.”

🌊 We can’t wait to see what they create together!

☀️ Join us in Newport this August.

04/16/2026

WE'RE BACK, NEWPORT — and we're bringing THREE new musicals with us! ✨

Last August, something special happened in Newport. Two brand-new musicals came to life, in rehearsal rooms, on beaches, around dinner tables, and audiences got to be part of the process. Watching new stories come alive, seeing audiences fall in love with work they'd never heard before, that was what we dreamed the Newport NewWorks Musical Theater Festival could be.

This August, we're doing it again. This time with three new musicals and at a new venue!

🎭 STUPID by Benjamin Scheuer & Simon Scheuer
📇 THE DEBUTANTES by Sam Norman & Eliza Randall
🍁 A LIFE WORTH LIVING by Jeffery Chen

📍 Newport, Rhode Island
📅 August 2–16, 2026
🎟️ Public presentations: Aug 14 & 15 @ the Casino Theatre, now in a larger venue because last year sold out hearts and seats alike. 💜

Come witness the heart of the creative process - live! Tickets on sale May 14th at: www.newportnewworks.org ☀️🌊

Photo credit:

01/07/2026

From Newport to NYC! 🍎 Our festival-born musical INK & PAINT is headed to NYC for an industry reading Jan 13th! Featuring the incredible cast of and this untold story of the women behind the golden age of Disney Animation is entering the spotlight! 💕 Written by .moore & and led by director with music direction by ! So excited and proud to watch this journey unfold! 🖌️🎨

Liz Carlson will direct the new musical spotlighting the untold story of the women behind Disney’s golden age of animation.

09/18/2025

Submissions are now open!!! 📣 Newport NewWorks invites writers, composers, and creators to submit musicals for our 2026 musical theater festival in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island. ☀️🌊 Each year, we bring fresh voices to the stage in a one-of-a-kind festival that celebrates creativity, collaboration, and community.♥️
TO APPLY: www.newportnewworks.org/apply

08/23/2025

MARY DOWDLE APPRECIATION POST! 🥰

A huge thank you to our incredible festival photographer, Mary Dowdle! 😍 Over the past two weeks, Mary has been everywhere with us—at rehearsals, performances, bonfires, boats, dinners, and excursions—capturing the spirit and heart of the festival. Her lens has given us the gift of remembering not only the big moments on stage but also the small connections that made this festival so special. We are so grateful for her talent, dedication, and eye for storytelling. We ♥️ you ! 📸

08/22/2025

IT'S A WRAP! 💜 Two weeks of creativity, connection, and creation have come to a close! ✨ From rigorous rehearsals + rewrites, to bonfires, shared meals, and quiet moments by the water, every day was filled with music, laughter, inspiration, and community. Thank you to everyone who joined us, whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience. You helped make this festival inaugural year truly unforgettable! We cant wait to do it again—join us next summer! 🥳

08/21/2025

What a night! ✨ INK & PAINT 🎨 played to a SOLD OUT audience on Saturday at Newport NewWorks, delivering an unforgettable evening full of inspiration, zest, humor, and hope. These incredible performers brought the stage to life, sharing stories that touched hearts and yielded roaring laughter. The hall buzzed with connection, creativity, and the kind of artistry that can only be experienced live.

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