News Summary
Savannah will host its inaugural Musical Theatre Festival from September 5 to 7 at the Ben Tucker Theatre, featuring new musical works and interactive workshops. This festival encourages community engagement and highlights local talent while showcasing performances from both local and national artists. The event will include diverse shows, offering a unique experience for attendees to engage with creators and influence the development of new theatrical works.
Savannah is set to debut its first-ever Savannah Musical Theatre Festival from September 5 to 7, taking place at the Ben Tucker Theatre located within the Otis S. Johnson Cultural Arts Center at 201 Montgomery St. The festival promises to showcase readings from four new musical works along with live performances of their original scores, bringing together talent from both local and visiting performers across the country.
Attendees at the festival will have a unique opportunity to engage in workshops that will allow them to provide constructive feedback to playwrights, composers, and performers. This initiative is aimed at fostering a collaborative atmosphere and enhancing the development of new theatrical works. A highlight of the event will include a performance by Front Porch Improv, which will warm up the audience with “Spontaneous! The Musical,” a show that incorporates audience suggestions into the storyline, music, lyrics, and choreography.
Tickets for the Savannah Musical Theatre Festival are priced at $30 for a single show, with a four-show pass available for $100. Discounts are offered for seniors, military personnel, and students, making the festival accessible to a wider audience.
The festival is being hosted by the Savannah Repertory Theatre, an organization dedicated to inspiring future generations of storytellers and producing modern plays as well as new works. This initiative underscores the importance of live theater in the Savannah community, with the aim of drawing greater interest and support for local creative institutions.
The selection process for the festival has been extensive, featuring submissions from playwrights and composers from diverse locations, including as far as Australia. A panel of twelve judges, with experience spanning across several generations from their 20s to 70s, meticulously narrowed down the entries to four finalists, who will be showcased at the event.
Finalists of the Festival
The four finalists selected to present their works are diverse in themes and styles, reflecting a rich tapestry of contemporary musical storytelling:
- Plastic Bottle Genie: A children’s musical focused on water conservation presented by a creative team from Atlanta.
- After/Before: A musical revolving around a grief counseling circle, notable for having the largest cast, also hailing from Atlanta.
- Bend Towards the Light: A thriller musical from New York that explores the complex dynamics between twin siblings.
- The Top Hand of Lone Tree Ranch: A local submission that tells the story of a boy living on a Texas ranch during a drought, adapted from a children’s book by James Venhaus.
Community and Engagement
The Savannah Musical Theatre Festival is designed not only to entertain but also to engage the local community creatively. By encouraging dialogue between the audience and creators, the festival aspires to establish a supportive environment for the development of new theatrical works. Through the inclusion of workshops and audience feedback sessions, participants will have the chance to directly influence the evolution of the productions presented.
Conclusion
With the Savannah Musical Theatre Festival, the Savannah Repertory Theatre aims to spotlight local talent while attracting attention to new voices in musical theater. The festival hopes to leave a lasting impact on the local arts scene, inspiring a greater appreciation for live performances in Savannah and supporting the growth of artistic endeavors within the community.
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Additional Resources
- Savannahnow: Things to do in Savannah
- WTOC: Savannah Repertory Theater introduces new musical festival
- Savannahnow: Savannah Musical Theatre Festival
- WTOC: Savannah Performing Arts Festival funding issues
- Savannahnow: Step Afrika! Leads Community Workshop
- Wikipedia: Theater
- Google Search: Musical Theater Festivals
- Google Scholar: Theater Workshops
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Theater
- Google News: Savannah Theater Events
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
