Musical Theatre Factory (MTF) develops changemaking new musicals in a joyous, collaborative community free from commercial constraints. MTF is committed to dismantling oppressive ideologies toward collective liberation, centering artists who exist in the intersections of underrepresented groups.

Since its founding in 2014, Musical Theatre Factory has been an inclusive community wholly dedicated to the developmental process of innovative new musicals by early-career artists. MTF began in the back of a porn studio when Founding Artistic Director Shakina Nayfack was gifted 18 months of a lease. MTF’s founding ethic of all-access and serving emerging musical theatre writers is evident in the formation of their signature programming, the Assembly Line™: a suite of development opportunities that offers artists a comprehensive framework for deepening their work. Every step of the Assembly Line provides valuable sharing opportunities of work-in-process in rigorous and supportive spaces. Currently led by Artistic Director Brisa Areli Muñoz, Interim Managing Director Abigail Grubb, and Director of Community Relations and Communications Andrea Negrete, and now in their 10th year, Musical Theatre Factory has been part of the development lifecycle for 500+ new works, served more than 3,500 interdisciplinary artists, and provided or facilitated direct support of art-making to the tune of $1.5M. MTF artists are leading the charge of radical transformation in every way, and envisioning and manifesting the future of the field.

Jerome Foundation supports Musical Theatre Factory’s MTF Makers program. The MTF Makers Program runs in 24-month cycles and supports groundbreaking New York City-based musical theatre makers and creators developing new work. Each participating artist receives a stipend for their participation in the program. Artists will have access to all MTF programming in addition to Makers-specific seminars tailored to the needs of each cohort. Each artist will be paired with a dramaturg from MTF’s extensive network of established artists and industry professionals. Artists have a monthly allocation of dedicated studio space hours within MTF’s home at The Music Building. MTF Makers meetings allow artists to present work-in-progress, share feedback, and build a supportive community. Artists also have the chance to workshop, develop, and present their work at MTF’s new Factory Floor space and other partner venues and across programming.