How did Musical Theatre Guild get started?
Beginning in 1995, in a Burbank church basement, a small group of working professional singers and actors met to create a guild for musical theatre artists; a forum where members could showcase their creative talents and present seldom produced musicals as a preservation for this unique American art form. The Guild, which grew to 20 members, then began as a series of living room readings at each other’s homes but soon grew to expand to one-night-only presentations on Monday nights at the Pasadena Playhouse.
Based on the high quality of the work that was being done and the rare opportunity afforded the public to see seldom produced musicals, the reputation of the group quickly grew. Early on they were afforded the first producing rights to present the works of many Musical Theatre masters. Stephen Sondheim’s Saturday Night and Passion; Adam Guettel’s Floyd Collins; Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party; Jason Robert Brown’s Parade; and Ahrens and Flaherty’s A Man of No Importance all had their West Coast or L.A. premieres via MTG. Redhead, Halleluiah, Baby!, Allegro and Plain and Fancy are but four of the lesser-known titles the company has unearthed.
As part of Musical Theatre Guilds’s mission to expose new audiences, Los Angeles area high school students, who are prepared in advance with a visit from a company member, are invited to attend the performances free of charge.
In 2000, Musical Theatre Guild, in partnership with the Music Center of Los Angeles Education Division, began a series of unique in-school programs, using the elements of Musical Theatre as a teaching tool. Their debut program, The History of Musical Theatre, introduces students from all cultural backgrounds to this popular and inclusive American art form. Additional programs followed. From The Page To The Stage uses musicals based on literary sources to encourage reading and Revolution! which premiered in 2018, incorporates historical characters and events from the musical theatre repertory to teach American history. The programs have been utilized successfully in Migrant Education and English Language Development programs.
The Guild currently presents its shows at The Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center Eli and Edythe Broad Stage and produces two concert stage readings in each season in addition to their extensive outreach programming.
Entertainment Today says the Musical Theatre Guild is “a treasured gift to Los Angeles” and The Los Angeles Times declares “Musical Theatre Guild occupies one of the most distinct niches in L.A. Theatre”. MTG has received the Margaret Harford Award for “sustained excellence in the theatre” from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle.
How does MTG address diversity on stage and within the MTG Membership?
Musical Theatre Guild is a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feel valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach, whether it is on our stage or behind the scenes, and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our programs. As it is a reflection of our vibrant society, we respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.
We’re committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for the entire industry of the non-profit performing arts sector and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all. Review MTG’s Diversity Initiative Policy & Procedure and DEI Statement for more information.
Musical Theatre Guild has a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee to create inclusive policies and works with the EC to implement. If you’d like to inquire more about this committee, please reach out to the committee chair.
Where can I follow Musical Theatre Guild news?
To keep up with Musical Theatre Guild, please be sure to attend our quarterly member meetings and sign up for our E-Newsletter.
Please follow us on our social media platforms and engage with us!
Twitter: @MusTheatreGuild
IG: @mustheatreguild
TikTok: @musicaltheatreguild
Facebook: @MusTheatreGuild
How is Musical Theatre Guild structured?
Musical Theatre Guild is a member-run non-profit theatre! We have a board of directors that manage the financial side of our organization. Our Executive Committee (EC) acts like an Artistic Director and manages our seasons from finalizing show choices to producing them. The EC is made up of 5 elected Musical Theatre Guild Members who are in office for 2 years. The rest is managed by our committees. Please click here to view our list of committees and to sign up!
Who are the MTG Board Members and Executive Committee?
Check out our Who Runs The Show page to see the list of board members and the current EC Officers.
Is Musical Theatre Guild an Actors’ Equity company?
Musical Theatre Guild runs under a special staged reading contract through Actors’ Equity (AEA). While non-AEA actors may perform in Musical Theatre Guild staged readings as guest artists, all Musical Theatre Guild Full and Associate Members must be AEA members.
Is there a Musical Theatre Guild Directory/Contact Sheet?
There is no official contact sheet of full membership information available in the Member’s portal, but you may visit a Member’s page to view contact information they have listed for view for members to reach out to them.
If you need a full membership contact list please reach out to the EC at [email protected].
Does Musical Theatre Guild reach out to schools?
Musical Theatre Guild has two Youth Outreach programs.
As part of our mission to expose new audiences, Los Angeles area high school students, who are prepared in advance with a visit from a company member, are invited to attend the performances free of charge.
In 2000, MTG, in partnership with the Music Center of Los Angeles Education Division, began a series of unique in-school programs, using the elements of Musical Theatre as a teaching tool. Their debut program, The History of Musical Theatre, introduces students from all cultural backgrounds to this popular and inclusive American art form. Additional programs followed. From The Page to the Stage uses musicals based on literary sources to encourage reading and Revolution! which premiered in 2018, incorporates historical characters and events from the musical theatre repertory to teach American history. The programs have been utilized successfully in Migrant Education and English Language Development programs.
You can reach out to members Jeffrey Scott Parsons regarding visiting high school students and Kevin McMahon for the partnership with the Music Center. Visit their member account page for contact information.
Also, please check out the University Outreach Committee for possible master classes given by Musical Theatre Guild members to university students. Please reach out to the committee chair.
What is Musical Theatre Guild’s Mission Statement?
The Musical Theatre Guild, a nonprofit membership company of theatrical professionals, is devoted to preserving the unique American art form of musical theatre by presenting seldom-seen musicals, and by offering education for both the current and next generations of musical theatre audiences.
How often does Membership meet?
Musical Theatre Guild has a general meeting after every show. We produce 2 shows per season. The Membership Engagement Committee will also put together social gatherings for Members in which to connect.