The Music Theatre NOW Awards 2025 are now open for applications. For this edition, an international jury of five renowned experts will select at least six outstanding productions. Applications can be submitted between May 19, 2025 and August 5, 2025.
The Music Theatre NOW Awards are the leading international accolade for first productions of new opera and music theatre, professionally created anywhere in the world. Since their launch in 2008, the awards have attracted over 2,000 world premieres, establishing a unique global platform that connects groundbreaking artists with major presenters.
Previous awardees have gone on to present their work at renowned festivals including O. Festival (Rotterdam), Prototype Festival (New York), and the Shanghai International Contemporary Theatre Festival ACT. Music Theatre NOW has played a pivotal role in launching international careers, cementing its reputation as a key springboard for emerging voices in the field.
For this edition, an international jury of five distinguished professionals will select a minimum of six outstanding productions.
The Music Theatre NOW Awards 2025 are now open for application. More info & application here.
The selected artists will be invited to present their work at the international Music Theatre Now Conference, taking place during the O. Festival in Rotterdam in May 2026.
Key Dates
- Projects premiering between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2025 are welcome to apply.
- Applications can be submitted between 19 May 2025 and 5 August 2025.
What You Win
Winners will receive:
- An invitation to present yourself and your work at the MTNow x O. Festival Professionals Programme in May 2026
- Exposure to international festival directors and curators
- Opportunities for future performances or collaborations through partner festivals
- Inclusion in a global archive of innovative music theatre practices
Who Can Apply
We welcome applications from all professional creators and producers of music theatre and opera, including:
- Independent artists
- Institutions
- Festival commissions
- Cross-disciplinary teams
We particularly encourage submissions from projects that:
- Originate from non-Western traditions
- Explore innovative formats, including digital, immersive, and hybrid works
- Feature original scores and new theatrical languages
- Challenge or expand the boundaries of music theatre
What’s Not Eligible
- Reinterpretations or reworkings of existing operas, scores, or music theatre pieces
- Works without a newly composed, original score
- Productions that premiered before July 2023
APPLY HERE!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can submit a production?
Anyone directly involved in the creation or production (composer, director, producer, writer, etc.) can submit, with consent from the full creative team. - Can I submit more than one work?
Yes, but each production must be submitted separately with its own account. - What types of work are eligible?
All original music theatre and opera productions, including those from outside Western traditions, hybrid or interdisciplinary works, and digital or site-specific experiences, are welcome. - Can I submit a reinterpretation of an existing opera?
No. The competition only accepts productions with original, newly composed music. - What about works for children?
Yes, productions aimed at young audiences are encouraged. - Are academic qualifications required?
Not at all. We welcome works from non-academic composers and creators. - What if my video documentation is hosted online?
That’s fine. Just ensure the link remains live and accessible until December 2025. Expiring links are not accepted. - Is a trailer enough?
No. A full-length recording of the work is required to fairly assess the production. - Can I enter multiple projects?
Yes, but you must register and submit each project through a separate account. - What if someone on my team is part of ITI or the jury?
If a juror is involved in a submission, they will recuse themselves from any related discussions or decisions.
Jury 2025
Gabrielle Martin (Canada)
Gabrielle Martin is Artistic Director of the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival in Vancouver. With a background in contemporary dance and dramaturgy, she curates interdisciplinary live art that prioritises embodied criticality, pluralism, and social urgency. Her career spans performance, festival management, and international jury service.
Bronwyn Lace (South Africa)
Bronwyn Lace is a visual and performance artist, and Company Director of The Centre for the Less Good Idea in Johannesburg, which she co-founded with William Kentridge. She is also co-founder of The ZoNE, a transdisciplinary collective based in Vienna. Her work explores intersections between art, science, and philosophy, often through collaborative practice.
Lemi Ponifasio (Samoa/New Zealand)
Lemi Ponifasio is a Samoan-born theatre director and choreographer, and the founder of MAU. Renowned for his radical approach to performance, he integrates indigenous knowledge systems and community engagement into works that challenge conventional theatre. His productions are presented at major festivals and cultural institutions worldwide.
Manuela Kerer (Italy/Germany)
Manuela Kerer is an Italian composer based in Innsbruck, recognised for her experimental music theatre and chamber compositions. Holding doctorates in psychology and law, her work often engages with neuropsychological themes. She is Co-Artistic Director of the Munich Biennale and lectures in music pedagogy in Bolzano.
Andrea Caruso Saturnino (Brazil)
Andrea Caruso Saturnino is General Director of Theatro Municipal de São Paulo, Brazil’s foremost opera house. With a background in acting and directing, she has led major international productions and co-founded Performas, a production house for contemporary performing arts. She holds a PhD in Performing Arts and serves as Vice President of Opera Latinoamérica.