New Musicals Sought for 2005 ASCAP Foundation/ Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in Chicago

As part of its continuing commitment to nurture new American musicals, the ASCAP Foundation has announced the second annual ASCAP Foundation/ Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in Chicago. Serving once more as artistic director for the workshop is Oscar and Grammy-winning composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz whose credits include the Broadway smash Wicked, Godspell, Pippin, the Walt Disney films Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the Dreamworks' film The Prince of Egypt. The workshop will take place at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Workshop participants will have the opportunity to present selections from their original works in progress for professional critique. Each session will feature prominent guests from all aspects of musical theatre, including producers, directors, critics, performers and composers. Past panelists have included Quincy Jones, Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, David Zippel, Jason Alexander and ASCAP President Marilyn Bergman.

"Some of the talent that has come through our workshops have gone on to experience some great success," said Michael Kerker, Director of Musical Theatre at ASCAP. "Lynn Ahrens and Stephen C. Flaherty went on to compose Ragtime, Glenn Slater, whose musical Lost In America was presented in our workshop, went on to work with Disney on animated musicals and a stage musical. James McBride, whose musical Bobos was presented at the Los Angeles workshop, went on to write Quincy Jones' biography. These among many other successes have come from the connections and the important work we have done through this workshop."

Writers interested in applying for participation in The ASCAP Foundation/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in Chicago should submit the following no later than Friday, Frebruary 20, 2005:

* A CD of four (4) songs with lyric sheets
* A brief description of each song as to its plot placement
* A brief synopsis of the musical
* Biographical information for each composer, lyricist & book writer

Send complete submission package to: Michael A. Kerker, ASCAP, One Lincoln Plaza, New York, NY 10023 Attn: Disney Musical Theatre Workshop/ Chicago.

The Musical Theatre Work—shop is part of an ongoing series of workshops sponsored by The ASCAP Foundation. The ASCAP Foundation Workshops are free of charge and are open to everyone, regardless of performing right affiliation.

Space is limited. Submissions will not be returned.

EXECUTIVE NEWS
ASCAP Has Announced the Following Promotions

Pamela Allen has been promoted to Director of Film & Television Music within the Membership Group, it was announced by ASCAP Senior VP of Film & Television Music Nancy Knutsen. Allen previously served as Associate Director of Film & Television Music and is based in the Society's Los Angeles office.

Sean Devine has been promoted to Vice President of Membership,UK/Europe, it was announced by Senior VP, International, Roger Greenaway. Based in London, England, Devine previously served as Senior Director of Membership, UK/Europe.

Jennifer Knoepfle has been promoted to Associate Director of Membership – Pop/Rock, it was announced by ASCAP Senior VP, Membership Group, Tom DeSavia. Based in Los Angeles, Knoepfle will report directly to DeSavia.

Pauline Stack has been promoted to Manager of Public Relations, it was announced by Senior VP of Marketing Phil Crosland. Previously, Stack served as Publicity Coordinator.

Chris Vislocky has been promoted to Director of Procurement/Business Services, it was announced by ASCAP Senior VP and CFO Bob Candela. Vislocky is based in ASCAP's New York City office.

Corrections

In the summer issue of Playback, on page 31, the interactive software company, Electronic Arts, was incorrectly called Electronic Arts Games; on page 48, the film director and music supervisor Alex Steyermark and composer Mark Snow were misidentified in the photo captions. In the spring issue of Playback, page 70, a work by composer Harold Blumenfeld was misprinted. The correct name should be “Songs of Cassis.”