"NTI is a practicum. It is your laboratory. We hope to test your limits. We hope that you exceed your own expectations and perceptions of what those limits may be. We hope to redefine what you believe is possible, the possibilities of what can happen in a day, and the possibilities of what can happen on the stage. The people you work with at NTI join you on your professional and personal journey sharing a common experience, language, and work ethic.  Ready? Let's begin!" - Rachel Jett, NTI Artistic Director   

Thank you for taking interest in the National Theater Institute (NTI)!  We look forward to reviewing your materials and working together to support your artistic aspirations.  We are now accepting applications for the following semesters: 

SPRING 2025 PROGRAM DEADLINES — National Theater Institute, National Music Theater Institute, Advanced Playwriting

• Regular Deadline: Monday, October 21st, 2024 - Apply by this date for best consideration for admissions and scholarships
• Final Deadline: Monday, December 2nd, 2024 - Last chance to apply!

 SUMMER 2025 THEATERMAKERS DEADLINES — Tracks in Acting, Directing, and Playwriting

• Early Bird Deadline: Monday, March 3rd, 2025 - Apply by this date to receive a $500 tuition discount
• Regular Deadline: Monday, April 7th, 2025 - Apply by this date for best consideration for admissions and scholarship.
• Final Deadline: Monday, May 19th, 2025 - Last chance to apply!

FALL 2025 PROGRAM DEADLINES — National Theater Institute, Advanced Directing, Advanced Playwriting

• Early Bird Deadline: TBD
• Regular Deadline: TBD
• Final Deadline: TBD

We are currently accepting applications on a rolling basis! If interested in applying for a semester that isn't currently listed or seeking further information, please contact our Program Representative, Rachel Kelsey, at ntirep@theoneill.org. 

QUESTIONS?  Contact us at ntirep@theoneill.org. Please add this email to your contacts to ensure that you receive all your materials. Furthermore, if the $30 application fee poses a financial barrier to you, please email ntirep@theoneill.org to request a fee-waiver before you begin your application. 

If you have any technical issues or questions about the submission form, please contact Submittable directly through this link: https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter

Application Instructions

Please complete your application by 11:59pm PST on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Early submissions are strongly encouraged. Please review the 2025 NMTC Application Guide and eligibility requirements, listed below, before starting your application. This form will request the following materials:

• Contact and Demographic Information: Your name, email address, telephone number, physical address, and optional demographic information will be requested. 
• 30-Page Script Sample (PDF):  This must be the first 30 pages of your book. You'll need to include a full track list with every song in your musical—even numbers that you are not submitting as demos or fall outside of the script sample. Please also include a character breakdown that lists vocal and/or instrumental requirements, doubling schemes, and any other necessary identifying traits. Your character breakdown, track list, and any other relevant introductory front matter—setting, notes, etc—will not count against the 30-page limit. Please do not forget to include page numbers. 
• Five Demo Tracks (MP3): You must include the track number and song title in the name of each file. These must be MP3 files. You are welcome to include tracks that fall outside your 30-page script sample, but please upload them in show order. You may submit fewer than five demos if you wish. We also provide space for you to credit the artists in your demos if applicable. 
• Developmental Goals (150-500 words): This should detail your goals for the future development of the piece, with special attention to what you hope to accomplish at NMTC. We encourage you to be as specific as possible, and include every component of your piece: book, music, and lyrics.
• Developmental History (150-500 words): If applicable, you will be asked to provide a developmental history of your play that includes any prior readings, staged readings, or workshops.
• Synopsis (150-500 words): This should be a brief summary of your piece. 
• Biographical Statements (150-500 words): Please focus on your background as writers and/or theater makers.  
• Additional Information: If you are adapting a work that is not in the public domain, you will be asked to upload proof of your permission to adapt this material.
• Administrative Fee: The administrative fee for the 2025 National Music Theater Conference is $15. This fee helps offset the costs associated with the organization and administration of NMTC: the submission platform, application processing, materials review, and more. If this fee poses a barrier to you, please fill out this form to request a fee waiver before you begin your application.

Eligibility Requirements

• You must be 18 years of age or older and have the right to work within the United States.
• You must be the sole author or authors of the piece you are submitting to NMTC, and the exclusive owner of all rights to the musical. You may submit an original or adapted work, provided that the rights to any material not in the public domain have been granted in writing and a copy of the release is submitted with your application. 
• Your piece must not have had a professional production, or be licensed or optioned to have a professional production, prior to July 31, 2025. If you have any questions about this, please visit our website FAQs for more information. If your question is not answered there, please reach out to the O'Neill literary office at litoffice@theoneill.org.
• If your piece has previously received—or is scheduled to receive—a developmental workshop, reading, or staged reading prior to July 31, 2025, you must disclose that information in your NMTC application. If your piece receives a workshop, reading, staged reading, or is optioned after submitting your application, please inform the literary office via email at litoffice@theoneill.org as soon as possible. Failure to do so could impact your application's standing. 
• Please note that, at time of writing, all staff, artists, and participants of O'Neill programs—including selected NMTC artists—must receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine before their arrival on campus. If this changes, we will let you know right away. Please visit our website for more information about our COVID-19 policies. 
• NMTC has no specific requirements regarding the form or content of your piece. We support the development of all styles and genres of musical theater featuring original music, including song cycles, operas, and experimental works. Jukebox and catalog musicals are ineligible for consideration.
• Only complete applications will be accepted. If we discover an error or omission in your application, the O'Neill will contact you through Submittable. You will have 48 hours to correct your materials. If your application is not corrected, it will be withdrawn from consideration and your fee will not be refunded.
   

Questions?

• If we discover an error in your application, the O'Neill will contact you through Submittable. You will have 48 hours to correct your materials. If your application is not corrected, it will be withdrawn from consideration and your fee will not be refunded. Otherwise, please expect to hear from us by March 2025 with an application status update.
• If you have any technical questions regarding the submission form, your login information, or payment, please contact Submittable directly through THIS LINK.  
• If you have any questions regarding your application's content, please visit the NMTC Frequently Asked Questions that can be accessed on our website. If the FAQ page does not answer your question please contact the O'Neill literary office at litoffice@theoneill.org.