THE NEW MUSICALS LAB AT FERGUSON CENTER IS MAKING SPACE FOR ARTISTS TO CRAFT NEW MUSICALS BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO WOrLD-CLASS FACILITIES, CREATIVE FUNDING, AND STUDENT TALENT.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
New musicals need a new place to play.
Musical theater is America’s most famous contribution to the performing arts. It’s a format born here, developed here, and beloved here. Today, American audiences are seeing musical theater development in new ways (We love you, Tik Tok!). But new shows can’t get stage-ready online or in bedrooms across the US; they need a home where they can be made ready with all the fittings and functions of a live show and dedicated crew. New musicals need a safe place and resources to develop before the regionals, New York or London. That place is The New Musicals Lab at Ferguson Center.
Our program seeks submissions from up-and-coming talent who are writing, producing, and performing new musicals in America. Every summer a group of shows are selected for incubation on-location at Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Center in Newport News, Virginia.
Our Vision
A world where new musical theater is experienced more often.
Our Mission
To be the most welcoming, supportive and collaborative space for new musical theater in America.
Our Values
Education - Learn new things.
Experimentation - Create new processes.
Exploration - Tell new stories.
Emotion - Cultivate new feelings.
NEW MUSICALS NEED A PLACE TO PLAY.
OUR SPACES
The New Musicals Lab is housed within the Ferguson Center performing arts complex at Christopher Newport University. The Ferguson Center has state-of-the-art production facilities, including rehearsal studios, dance studios, a stagecraft design lab, scene shop, and costume shop. Two key Ferguson Center stages host the Lab: the 440-seat Peebles Theatre and the 200-seat black box Studio Theatre.
OUR TEAM
Musical theater, like all theater, is a collaboration. The New Musicals Lab at Ferguson Center compiles an eclectic mix of volunteers, Christopher Newport University alumni, and theater professionals each year to organize, project manage, brand, produce, and market our program.
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
Discover the Christopher Newport University Campus. Its stunning architecture, landscaping, and artwork are on display 24/7/365. Photo by Jerry Gammon.
THE CITY OF NEWPORT NEWS
Newport News’ coastal location and rich history has shaped the city into what it is today. Located on the banks of the Hampton Roads harbor in southeastern Virginia, Newport News is located near Hampton, minutes from historic Williamsburg and a short drive to Virginia Beach. From this central Coastal Virginia location, you can experience ships, history and the great outdoors. Photo by Jerry Gammon.