Music Theatre Now (The Netherlands) : Competition - Arterial Network

Deadline: 30 June 2020

Music Theatre NOW (MTNOW) is the premier competition for first productions of new works, which have been professionally created anywhere in the world. Since 2008 more than 1000 world premieres of new opera and music theatre have entered the competition to take part in this unique convention that brings together practitioners and presenters from across the globe. Former winners have staged their works at various festivals around the globe, such as Operadagen (Rotterdam), Prototype Festival (New York) or Shanghai International Contemporary Theatre Festival ACT.

MTNOW has been a launchpad for several successful international careers. Music theatre productions which had premiered between July 2015 and June 2018 are eligible for the competition. Works, which were in development and performed in incomplete form before may also be submitted, as long as no version of the work was performed before 01 January 2012.

MTNOW prizewinners are winning a unique opportunity for international exposure and invaluable networking opportunities and advice from other professionals, because many curators and presenters from around the world will be invited to attend the convention. Past winners of Music Theatre NOW were invited by many producers to present their works as a result of winning the competition.


For the upcoming round several festivals have declared a serious interest in inviting prize winners to stage their productions in the near future. In addition to Operadagen Rotterdam, who have committed to show at least one production in full in 2019. These include festivals such as: Prototype Festival (New York), NOA Festival (Vilnius), Beijing Music Festival and Shanghai International Contemporary Theatre Festival ACT.

Are welcomed works made by opera and theatre institutions, works created by festivals, or works created by individuals: the jury will appreciate a broad range of submissions that demonstrate new developments and dynamism. Special attention will be given to works, whose musical and theatrical vocabulary originates from outside of the Western European tradition. As a guideline for regions where music theatre or opera are not well defined: the organisers encourage interdisciplinary submissions, where music plays the dominant role.

The 10 prizewinners will be invited to present their works in short lectures at the international convention of Music Theatre NOW in Rotterdam in May 2019. Practitioners and presenters from all over the world will be in attendance. Prizewinners will also qualify for additional prizes in the form of invitations to perform at partner venues throughout the world. For more infos visit Music Theatre NOW website